Last Christmas (Private 0.60)

had turned adorably pink from the cold. "Sorry. I mean, sorry I scared you. Not that I saw you naked. Just to

be clear."

"That's not funny." She closed the door again, putting the foggy glass between the two of them, and huddled

in the corner to take a breath, hand to her chest. "What are you doing here?"

Thomas walked into the bathroom. She could hear him rifling through the medicine cabinet over the sink.

"Just wanted to give you a chance to apologize. You know, for being such a bitch."

Ariana froze as she toweled off her hair. There was a casual tone in his voice. He was joking. Now that she'd

had a chance to cool off, she felt the humiliation of her overreaction back in his room, and decided to follow

his lead. Pretend it was no big deal.

"Why didn't you answer when I said your name?" she asked.

There was a pause. "What do you mean? I just got here."

"But I just heard you a few minutes ago," she protested. "You were in the bathroom." She secured the towel

around her and opened the door. Thomas looked genuinely confused. Ariana's heart thumped with fear. "You

really just got here?"

"Swear."

But someone had been there. She was sure of it. Was Thomas lying?

110

Or was Daniel on campus messing with her? Or had it been someone else entirely? Ariana's empty stomach

turned dangerously. "How did you get in?" she demanded.

"Noelle's key," he replied simply, perusing the bath products next to the shower. He picked up a giant jar of

conditioner, inspecting the label. "What the hell is jojoba oil?"

"How do you know about Noelle's key?" She stepped onto the woven bath mat and hugged herself against the

cool air.

"Common knowledge, naughty girl."

Common knowledge. Noelle had probably told Dash about it. Which meant that Paige probably knew about

it, too. And Daniel.

Thomas put the jar down and took an uncertain step toward her.

"Give me a second." She held the door to her room open. "I'll be right out."

"I'll be right here," Thomas said with a suggestive smile before closing the door behind him.

Alone again, Ariana leaned against the wall and tried to slow her breathing. What if Daniel was here? What if