Page 76 of Accidental Roommates

“I didn’t feel any type of connection with them.”

“You’re not going to feel that the second you meet a guy. You need to go on a date. Get to know him.”

I used to think that was true, but now I think you really do need to feel something right away or it’s not going to go anywhere. I’m not saying you need to see fireworks, or stars, or have your heart flutter, but you have to feel something. Some kind of connection.

I felt a connection with Jace the moment we met, but not in a romantic way. We’d both had our hearts broken and were connecting over our shared pain, or that’s what I tell myself. If I’m being honest, it was more than that. I just don’t like admitting that because it means I had feelings for Jace from the moment we met. And now, those feelings have only gotten stronger.

“What about Jace?” Tori asks. “Has he been on any dates?”

“One, but it ended before it started. He said they weren’t a good match so they didn’t even make it to dinner.”

“Let me guess. He took you instead.”

“Only because I had nothing to do and he was already dressed to go out.”

“Kenzie, you can’t be that clueless.”

“I’m telling you, Jace and I are not dating. He’s just a friend.”

“Then prove it. Go out with someone else. The next guy who asks you out. Even if you don’t feel anything for the guy, just go out with him. For one date.”

“I’m not going out with someone I don’t even like.”

“You won’t know if you like him until you go out with him. That’s why people date. To figure out if they like someone. You need to stop turning down guys who ask you out. You have to at least give the guy a chance, but that’s never going to happen if you spend all your time with your roommate.”

“I’m not spending all my—”

“Would you just agree to it? If you don’t, I’m going to assume it’s because you have feelings for Jace.”

“Okay, fine. I’ll go on a date. Can we talk about something else now? What about you? Are you seeing anyone?”

“I wish. I don’t have time to date. I don’t even have time to call my best friend. I may have to start calling you at midnight. It’s the only time I have free. Hey, how’s your mom? Have you heard from her?”

“Only through texts. She tried to call me last week, but her phone kept cutting out. She can’t get much of a signal there. And sometimes I don’t get her texts until a day later.”

“But she’s having a good time?”

“She loves it. Every weekend she does some kind of crazy adventure. I think this weekend is ziplining. Or maybe that’s later. I can’t remember.”

An announcement blares through the phone.

“My plane’s boarding. I gotta go.”

“Okay. Talk to you later.”

“I don’t know when I’ll be able to call again, but by our next call, you better have gone on a date. Or more than one.”

“Yes, Mom,” I say rolling my eyes.

She laughs. “Someone has to take her place while she’s gone. I gotta go. Bye!”

She hangs up and I slip my phone in my backpack. I’m on campus, sitting outside on a bench, waiting for my next class to start.

“Mind if I sit here?” I hear someone say.

Looking up, I see a tall, good-looking guy smiling at me.

“Sure.” I scoot over on the bench.

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