Page 27 of The Temporary Roomie: Extended Edition

“So, you thought I had preeclampsia?”

He looks disappointed by my shift in conversation. “It’s always something to be aware of in your third trimester.” He pauses a second, and I can see the moment he shifts fully into the role of medical provider. “That condition doesn’t run in your family, does it? Like your mom never had it, did she?”

Everything freezes.

No. No, no, no.

Thisquestion triggers me every single time I’m asked it, because the truth is, I know very little about my family, let alone their health records. All I have are the small bits my grandaddy can offer me, but that’s it. And just like that, I feel all the walls in my heart begin to shoot back up. Self-preservation is an instinct I can’t shake, and it’s kicking in in the form of fight or flight right now.

“Not sure,” I say, pointing toward the TV and trying to signal Drew to pick something already. “How about that one?”

“You’ve never talked to her about it?”

“Nope. Hey, how about aSeinfeldrerun? That could be fun.”

“It’s important. You should ask her sometime.”

I clench my hands around the popcorn bowl, feeling that familiar anger snap inside me. “Hmm, well, do you have a good way of summoning the dead that I don’t know about?” I let myeyes slide to Drew and see the moment his lips part. He looks floored.

“Damn. I’m sorry, Jessie. I didn’t know.”

“It’s fine.” AkaIt’s not fine, now shut up please.

I nod toward the TV again, but he doesn’t choose anything yet.

“How long ago did she—”

“Okay, listen.” I whip my head in his direction. “We’re not talking about my family. Not now, not ever. Got it?”

Now Drew sits up straighter. Both of our spines are slowly growing stiff as boards. “Why are you getting so pissed off right now? I’m sorry I asked about your mom, but I truly didn’t know—”

“But see, that’s the problem with you! You stick your nose where it doesn’t belong and continually try to fix people or make decisions for them when they never asked for you to. You act like this is your role in life, but it’s a self-appointed role. Some people don’t want or need to be fixed. I’m not your patient.”

He expels a heavy breath and runs his hand through his hair, and it sticks up on the right side. I want to curse him for making himself look even sexier while I’m angry at him.

“Is this how it’s always going to be? You biting my head off about everything? I mean, geez, Jessie. I was trying to have one freaking conversation with you, get to know you the smallest amount, and you can’t even handle that.”

I can feel my expression harden, because he’s right. We were almost friends. I was on the verge of letting him in, and I absolutely don’t want to let that happen. “Yeah, this whole thing was a bad idea. We’re not friends, and I don’t like you, so let’s just quit pretending.”

His midnight-blue eyes pierce me, and for a moment he looks shaken. “I wasn’t pretending. I was trying to give us a shot at being civil to each other.”

I stand up from the couch—slowly, because my belly makes power exits difficult, but I eventually manage it. “Well, you can give that dream up right now. I don’t need any more friends. I’m full up, thanks. Let’s get through your stupid fundraiser, and once my house is fixed I’ll go back home, and we can each forget the other ever existed.”

“You sure know how to make a guy feel good,” he calls over his shoulder as I storm toward the stairs. “You forgot your popcorn, Oscar.”

“Tell you what, just go ahead and shove it up your ass, Dr. Stuck-up.”

“You need a new insult. That one is worn out.”

I make it all the way upstairs before I let myself cry. I hate crying. It makes me feel weak and broken. I’ve felt that way too many times in my life, and I’m sick of it.

But when I wipe my tears away and fling open the door to my bedroom, I’m instantly reminded of my obnoxious, nosy, prying roommate. “ANDREW!” I yell and then jump when his voice sounds right behind me, hands gripping my biceps to gently move me out of the way. Unwanted chills fly over my skin. His body brushes against mine as he passes me in the doorway, and honestly, I’m a little shocked. Part of me expected him to storm out of the house for the night since I was so rude to him, but he was already on his way up here without me having to ask.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m moving them out. Don’t get your panties in a wad.”

I grin mockingly up at him. “Why not, when you make it look so appealing?”

We stare for two long seconds, mimicking each other’s frightening, lunatic smiles, until Drew’s eyes lower to my mouth. My stomach drops down to my feet, and I take a retreating step back.

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