College & Chemistry: Smith & Guy University, #1

By Tessa Frank

Her secret haunts her.

A relationship in jeopardy before it begins.

A lifetime of regret awaits her unless she can overcome her past.

Edee Davinroy expected college to be the best years of her life, and it started out that way. Until, in a single night, the dream imploded leaving her with emotional scars she works hard to keep hidden.

Will sophomore year be any different?

Edee made a promise to herself, a promise to put studies first. Then Adam walked into her life. Can a chance at new love overcome all that stands in it's way?

You'll enjoy this contemporary romance, because everyone wants a happily ever after. Grab your copy now.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tamara Ruth
• Release date: May 7, 2015
• ISBN: 9781386008002

Book preview

Chapter 1

If you're lucky enough to find a weirdo, never let them go.

A scorpion in the bathroom? That’s disgusting! Given that I totally hate scorpions, I was trying really hard not to freak out during Harper’s story.

Harper, however, was completely unperturbed by the details. Yes, Edee, a scorpion. He was hanging on my towel.

She looked over from a desk littered with CDs as a chill skittered down my back. Harper spent the summer in Belize; she had a lot to share. Stories of banana trees that defy gravity, scorpions, grass huts, and moldy hair. It made unpacking for the start of our sophomore year at Smith and Guy University (SGU) entertaining. This year we were also roommates in Leach Hall, the honors dorm.

How’d he get up on your towel?

Scorpions can climb walls. Harper pantomimed climbing with her fingers.

Ew. How did I not know that! I whispered in alarm.

Edee, calm down. It’s a story. Harper tossed her long honey brown hair over a shoulder to look at me. The fact that I was sitting half in a closet clutching a mismatched pair of shoes had her swallowing a laugh.

I purposely placed the shoes with their appropriate mates. Scorpions are so weird. All translucent and stuff. Just weird. I’d never even be able to see them without my contacts or glasses. I have extremely poor eyesight, as in can not see the giant E at the top of the eye chart bad. I asked, What did you do when you saw him?

Well, first, he was black. And big. You’d be able to see him. I did not fully believe her, but it was not worth arguing about. And I totally choked. I could only squeak.

I put both hands on my hips. I asked in disbelief, You squeaked?

Harper giggled. Seriously, I was so scared when I turned around, and saw him that I forgot how to scream. She held her hands out toward me then gestured wildly. Honestly. It took me a moment before I started screaming like crazy. Then this girl, her name was Mary, came running in. She saw the scorpion, grabbed my towel, threw it on the floor, and stomped on it.

I choked on a laugh. What an image! It was almost too much, especially since it was Harper. So, there you are, naked and dripping wet, and some girl is stomping the life out of your towel?

Harper rolled her eyes at me as I devolved into snickers. Ok then. You must have done something interesting over the summer. Tell me about your internship.

It was a waste, I said. Harper closed her eyes as if in pain. Because I was working at a waste water treatment plant. Get it?

Harper rubbed the bridge of her nose, and her lips twitched slightly. I get the joke.

Well all my jokes just get flushed these days. I tossed my shower supplies into the closet, and shut the door with a flourish. But not much happened. Mostly worked. Went to the movies with Jacob. Learned to knit.

What? You? Learn a domestic skill? Harper’s voice attested to the absurdity of my being domestic despite my history with baking.

Yep. Grandma Rosie moved in with us about two weeks in. She announced it was time Jacob and I learned a skill. Every evening I was subjected to forced domesticity.

Huh. Are you any good?

I smiled thinking of my first failed scarf. I have lots of room for improvement, but I’m doing ok.

And Jacob?

Lots of yard work. She had him plant a garden for her.

Harper turned away with a wondering shake of her head. Well, that’s cool. Way to go Grandma Rosie. What I really want to know is how things are between you and John?

I felt myself stiffen at the mention of the one topic I’d rather avoid. We broke up last year. Remember?

Surprise flickered on her face. But I saw him here the last day of finals.

I thought of my ex-boyfriend, John, with a mix of fear and hate. He had been forceful the last time I saw him. I thanked a god I had no belief in that I had not gotten pregnant.

At least I could answer honestly. He wasn’t here to see me. There’s no way we’ll get back together.

Harper did not look convinced. I kept talking, Really. I’d think you’d be glad. You didn’t like him.

Harper shrugged. I still don’t like him. You’re just kind of different since the breakup.

Hoping worst was over, I opted to organize my desk rather than touch that comment.

You never said why you guys broke up.

Ouch. I feigned nonchalance with a shrug, and replied, We didn’t agree on things.

"Huh. Well, it’s not like you dated him for very