Ashlyn's POV
“Ready for the day?” Xavier asked as he approached me, files in one hand and his coat casually hanging over his wrist.
I exhaled deeply, adjusting the strap of my bag. “I’m more nervous than on my first day.”
Smiling, he leaned down and kissed my forehead. “Don’t worry. You’ve got this.”
As we headed outside, I murmured, “It feels so different going to college without Evan.”
Xavier’s expression softened briefly before a small smile tugged at his lips. “Yeah, it’s quieter. Too quiet, actually. It was always chaotic but... fun with that troublemaker around.”
“Has he called you yet?” I asked, glancing at him as he unlocked the car.
“No, not yet,” he replied, opening the passenger door for me.
Just as I was about to slip in, Emily appeared out of nowhere. Br
