The Billionaire Boys Club (Billionaire Romance Series Book 1) (6 page)

“Tell you later,” Jessica said. She slid her jacket to the now-free cashier and pulled out her ID. The cashier slid the ID through the register and handed Jessica her receipt.

“Thanks,” Jessica said, picking up her jacket in surprise. “No bag?” she asked Kelsey on her way out. Kelsey shook her head.
 

“You’re in Seattle. We’re environmentally friendly around here.”
 

Jessica laughed as she ripped the tags off of the jacket. “I’m looking forward to this,” she said, giving the jacket a hug. Kelsey laughed. She had already logged into Amazon and was looking for the Civ Pro book.

“Don’t you rent the last one,” Jessica pouted as they walked across the quad.
 

“It looks like there are a few left,” Kelsey said. “For the Civ Pro, it’s $90 to rent, $95 to buy used.”
 

“I love them,” Jessica said.
 

They reached their dorm and headed up the stairs. Kelsey opened the door to their room and lay down on the bed, smartphone in hand. Jessica dropped her coat on her chair, put the fleece on top of it, and retrieved her own phone. She sat on her own bed and put the list next to her.
 

“The best thing about this,” Jessica said, as she typed the name of one of the books into Amazon, “is that I use my parents’ account. With any luck, they won’t make me pay them back.”
 

Kelsey laughed. “I’m just happy that we found them cheaper,” she said. Buying them used had saved Kelsey over $900.
 

“Me too. Who can afford those prices? I mean if you don’t have access to Daddy’s gold card.”
 

“I guess they figure you’re paying so much for tuition, what’s five thousand dollars more?”

“Five thousand dollars more you have to come up with after graduation,” Jessica said. “That’s crazy. Next semester, I’m going to order them in advance. By the way, I got the nutshells for Civil Procedure, Torts and Property. You’re welcome to use them.”
 

“Thanks,” Kelsey said gratefully.
 

“They’ll come on Thursday. Sorry, Kelsey, I love you,
 
but Amazon is the best thing to come out of Washington.”

“You probably flew a Boeing jet out here.” Kelsey grinned.

“True, but I could have taken the train. Amazon just saved me a bundle. When we were standing in the bookstore, I was wondering how much I could dilute my shampoo and whether I could do without toothpaste for a year.”

“I was too. I thought maybe I’d raid my parents’ house when I went back at Thanksgiving,” Kelsey said. “By the way, don’t forget that you’re invited.”
 

“Thanks,” Jessica said. She stood up and picked up the fleece. “I’ll go if I haven’t packed up and fled back home after our first few weeks.” Jessica put on the navy fleece jacket and untucked her hair with her hand. She zipped it up. “So soft. This is really nice.”
 

Kelsey sat up and reached over to give it a stroke. “Good quality,” she said.

“You’re the expert,” Jessica said, putting her hands in the pockets. “You guys sell these, right?”

“Fifteen brands, twenty-three colors,” Kelsey replied.
 

“Is it weird working for your parents?” Jessica asked.
 

“We’ve had the store since I was three,” Kelsey said, “So I don’t really know what it would be like not to.”
 

“I can’t imagine working with my parents. We’d fight everyday. I mean we do anyway, but it would be weirder.” Jessica removed the fleece and lay down on the bed. “I thought I’d be reading my new textbooks right now.”
 

“Count the money you saved instead.” Kelsey grinned. Smartphone in hand, she sent a text to her mom letting her know about the Amazon charges. Her mom replied that it wasn’t a problem, and that she appreciated Kelsey letting her know. Kelsey put the phone to the side.

“What time is it, Kels?” Kelsey picked up the phone she had just put to the side.
 

“4:15.”
 

“I think I’m going to take a nap before dinner. The stroke I got from seeing those prices made me tired. How about you?”
 

“I think I’ll go for a quick run,” Kelsey said.
 

“You Northwesterners are sickeningly healthy,” Jessica groused.
 

“Interesting combination of words,” Kelsey said, standing up. She walked over to her dresser and got out running shorts, sports bra and a short-sleeved shirt.
 

“Where will you go running?”
 

Kelsey thought for a moment. Darrow was situated on a lovely lakefront beach, and of course the athletic center had a track, but there was a part of her that wanted to get away from campus for a bit.
 

“McGilvra, I think. South,” she said as she slipped on her clothes and shoes.

“And how long will you be gone? I’m channeling my mother,” Jessica explained.
 

Kelsey grinned. “Only an hour or so. I just need to get some fresh air.”
 

“OK, be safe. Don’t forget your ID.”
 

“Right. Thanks,” Kelsey said. Now that all of the students had their IDs, they would be checked at the gate upon entry. Otherwise, people had to wait at the gatehouse to be verified as students or invited guests. Darrow Law School had reopened for business and there was no time for tourists. Kelsey slipped the ID around her neck and clipped on her mp3 player. She put
 
the earbuds in her ears.
 

“See you later,” Jessica said, turning on her side and putting her face in her pillow.
 

Kelsey left the room. She headed out of the dorm and did a light jog past some of her fellow dorm mates who were slowly walking back under the weight of their purchases from the bookstore. She jogged out past the gatehouse and turned right, heading for McGilvra. Once she reached the street she turned south, down the tree-lined promenade.
 

As Kelsey ran down the quiet street, she found her mind emptying. Her breathing became faster, but her tension began to melt away. Had it really only been this morning when she and Jessica were running late for school? And had it really only been yesterday when she had woken up in her childhood bed, ready for an adventure? Kelsey felt she had lived lifetimes in the past 24 hours.
 

The road curved past the Seattle Tennis Club, and she sped up slightly. She had never run in Seattle before, and she was enjoying the small views of Lake Washington which peeked out from spaces between the houses. Kelsey had briefly run track in high school, before her grades and her life started slipping, and even then, she found that it reduced her stress. When she had been dropped from the team, she had turned away from exercise and to other, less healthy distractions to ease her mind. It hadn’t worked. But thanks to her parents, some wise mentors in high school and college, and the opportunity for a fresh start, Kelsey was here, running again. But this time, toward something new.
 

When Kelsey returned, Jessica was sitting at her desk, blow-drying her curly hair with a diffuser. She was freshly showered and wrapped in a thick white terry-cloth bathrobe which said ‘Westin’ on the front. Jessica flipped off the switch.

“How was it?”

“Beautiful,” Kelsey smiled. Running always helped. That, plus the thought of dinner, had cheered her. She slipped off her shoes and placed them next to the dresser.
 

There was a knock on the door. Kelsey and Jessica looked at each other.

“I’m not expecting anyone,” Jessica said. She made sure she had tucked her robe around her, and opened the door. A short, voluptuous blond girl stood in the doorway, holding a jar of M&Ms.
 

“Hi!” she said brightly in a Texas accent. “I’m Ashley. I live next door. Room nine.”
 

“Come on in,“ Jessica replied pleasantly, eying the jar. “I’m Jessica, and this is Kelsey.” Kelsey gave Ashley a quick wave as Ashley walked in and glanced around. Jessica quietly closed the door behind her.

“Nice to meet you,” Kelsey said. “I just came from a run, so I won’t come close. I probably don’t smell too good.”
 

Ashley giggled adorably. “I grew up on a cattle ranch, so I bet you smell better than that. Here, these are for you girls.” Ashley handed the jar to Jessica.

“Wow, thanks,” Jessica said. “I love chocolate.”
 

“Who doesn’t?” Ashley replied.
 

“Thanks, Ashley,” Kelsey said as Jessica opened the jar and popped three M&Ms into her mouth.

“Sit,” Jessica said, gesturing to the bed. Ashley sat carefully, adjusting her short lace skirt.
 

“Who’s your roommate?” Jessica asked, leaning against her desk.
 

“My roommate never showed,” Ashley said sadly, her soft curls brushing her cheeks as she shook her head.
 

“Oh,“ Jessica said.
 

Kelsey held up her caddy and robe.
 

“I’m sorry,” she said, “I’ve got to get out of these wet clothes.”
 

“Of course,” Ashley said. “I didn’t mean to slow you up.”

Kelsey smiled at her. “You didn’t. I’ll be right back.” Kelsey walked out of the room and down the hall to shower. When she returned, Ashley and Jessica were laughing.
 

“I cannot believe they said that to you!” Jessica said to Ashley.

“It was like I hadn’t bought a ticket. I called Daddy and said, that’s it! That’s the last time I fly commercial!”
 

“Nice to have that choice,” Jessica said in awe.
 

“I didn’t.” Ashley grinned. “Daddy said I couldn’t use the company plane for private use. But he did let me fly to Seattle in first class.”

“Nice,” Jessica said. She looked at Kelsey. “Ashley wants to join us for dinner.”
 

“Of course,” Kelsey said, putting her wet shower caddy on the floor. She opened the dresser and pulled out jeans and a pink sweater.

“I never thought I’d see you wear pink,” Jessica said.
 

“My mom bought it for me.” Kelsey shrugged.
 

“Did you two go to school together?” Ashley asked.

“No, we just met in person yesterday. But we’ve been Skyping all summer,” Jessica replied, as Kelsey put on her jeans and pulled the sweater over her head. “I only saw her wear blue and green online.” Kelsey looked in the mirror and picked up her brush.
 

“Let me get dressed,” Jessica said, taking off her robe. She walked past Ashley and took a folded dress out of the dresser. “A closet would have been nice,” she said.

“They have those little hooks on the back of the door,” Ashley said, pointing. Kelsey untangled her wet hair and let it hang over her shoulders.
 

“We have time if you want to blow-dry,” Ashley said to Kelsey.

“She doesn’t even wear makeup,” Jessica said to Ashley. “These Seattle girls are all natural.” Jessica pretended to shiver.
 

“That explains it,” Ashley said. “I was wondering why everyone looked so different here.”
 

“I have makeup,” Kelsey said, amused.
 

“From 2012. Unused,” Jessica said. She had slipped on the dress and was fingering her soft curls in the mirror. “Not that you need it.”

“So you’re from Seattle, Kelsey?” Ashley asked.

“Port Townsend. It’s a small town a couple hours away.”

“Did you go to college there?”

“Nope. In Portland, Oregon,” Kelsey replied. She took a lip balm off of the top of her dresser and put it in the pocket of her jeans. “Got your fleece, Jess?”

“Let me go get mine,” Ashley said. She stood up and walked out of the room. Kelsey and Jessica put on their jackets as Ashley arrived in a red Patagonia fleece jacket.
 

“If you’re from Texas, how did you know to buy a fleece?” Jessica asked.

“One of Mommy’s bridge players is from up here. She said I’d need one.”
 

“I should have done more research,” Jessica said. “Time to eat!”

“We really need to get you some granola bars, like Dylan said,” Kelsey said as they walked across the quad. “You’re always starving.”

“It’s the cold and wet. My body feels like it’s fighting against the elements,” Jessica replied. “Speaking of which, did you ask Dylan to join us?”

“You want me to assist in the seduction?” Kelsey teased.

“It’s slim pickings around here, Kels. I’m going for what I can.”

“Who’s Dylan?” Ashley asked.
 

“Kelsey’s hottie college friend. He lives on the floor below us.”
 

“The skinny guy, with the manly roommate?”

“Isn’t Dylan’s roommate that loud jerk?” Jessica said to Kelsey. “He’s in my small group too.”

“Brown hair, muscular?” Ashley asked.
 

“Yeah, I think that describes the jerk,” Jessica giggled. “Why do you like him?”

Ashley shrugged. “I think he’s kind of cute.”
 

“No accounting for taste.” Jessica grinned. “Go for it, Ash.”
 

The girls walked into the dining room and got dinner. It was Mexican food night.
 

“Ole!” Jessica said as they dug in.
 

“Not bad,” Kelsey said.
 

Ashley pushed her plate away. “This isn’t Mexican food,” she said. “I’m going to see what else they have.” She stood up and walked back to the line.
 

“I”m not a purist,” Jessica said, eating a spoonful of rice.
 

“Me, neither,” Kelsey agreed. They continued eating as Ashley returned with a salad covered in cheese and dressing.
 

“This will be better,” Ashley said, tucking in.
 

“Hey!” said a voice behind Kelsey. Dylan bumped her chair lightly. “You didn’t text me for dinner.”
 

“I told her she should have,” Jessica said, smiling prettily at him.