The Billionaire Boys Club (Billionaire Romance Series Book 1) by Cara Miller Read Free Book Online Page B

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.