Page 34 of The Temporary Roomie: Extended Edition

Drew pushes off the counter and turns his back to me, raising a single arm to grip the back of his hair in frustration. He whirls around to me again, looking madder than a hornet. “You know, Jessie, this is a new low, even for you. Stooping to putting your child in danger just out of spite for me!” This is the part where I should yellHA-HAand dance around him obnoxiously, but I don’t feel like doing that, because now I’m pissed. How could he say that to me? “And thinking those damn garments are going to keep you from feeling pain! Come on. Joyful vibes? I thoughtyou were smarter than that. You need a doctor or a midwife to assist you, not a self-made gu—”

“Okay, stop. I’ve heard enough. And you know what? I can’t believe you!”

“Me?!” he asks with raised eyebrows. Drew stalks back to me, planting those big hands beside my hips again and leveling me with his stormy gaze. “What could you possibly be angry with me about?”

“So many things!” I say, my voice rising so high it squeaks. “But I’m mostly upset that you would ever think me capable of truly making a decision like this! You weren’t supposed to believe me! Not for a second. You were supposed to laugh and shake your head and see right away that it was a—” My voice loses steam when I see Drew’s lips begin to curl in a devious smile. My anger rushes out of me and is replaced by despondency.

“A what, Jessie?” he whispers, his mouth only two inches from mine.

I take in a long breath through my nose and then, on a rush of air, admit, “A prank.”

A full smile replaces his ferocious scowl, and my stomach sinks. Hedidknow it was a prank. This whole time he knew, and he was getting me back.

It doesn’t seem possible, but Drew leans even closer without our lips touching. “Never try to prank the master.”

My eyes shut tight for a moment before I open them again. Unfortunately, when I do, they drift down to their new favorite resting place: his mouth. His fine, smiling mouth.

“When did you realize it was a prank?”

“From the wordguru.” Why is he still whispering like that? I need him to talk at a normal volume so my skin will stop prickling like this. So my heart will stop racing. So my mind will stop pretending this is the beginning of something. “I only saidall that to get you to admit it. I would never believe you’d let my sister deliver your child after watching a few YouTube videos.”

My hands are pressing into the counter beside my thighs, and Drew’s thumb lightly brushes against my pinky. Intentionally? Yes. Look, he just did it again! My womanly organs all cheer like their home team just scored the winning goal.

I swallow. “Oh, okay.” I sound drunk.

And then Lucy’s voice cuts through the moment from the living room, and Drew dashes away from me like we’re doing something wrong before Lucy rounds the corner.Interesting.

“Hey, umm, guys? Can I leave yet? Is the prank over? Oh shoot! Was I not supposed to sayprank? I don’t think I was.”

Drew and I both chuckle, and he leans back against the sink, folding his arms. “It’s all right, Luce. The joke’s over now.”

“Oh good!” She looks relieved, but then her eyes zero in on his shirt. “But wait . . . you don’t look—”

“YOU DID GREAT, LUCY!” I say, a touch too loudly. I get ready to jump off the counter, but Drew catches me before I make the leap, grabbing my hips to help me down easily. I feel his hands like I’m not wearing anything at all. His touch is dangerous, and I want to shake him off like a wet dog. I brush by him without making eye contact and put my arm around Lucy’s shoulders, guiding her toward the front door. “Really. You did amazing. Thanks for your help.” I’m trying to send her telepathic vibes not to mention the prank anymore.

Mercifully, she understands and leaves with only a quiet smirk and a last glance at Drew. Once she’s gone, Drew and I stand in the living room. He has a gloating smile on his face, just like I imagined he would.

“Yes, fine, you’re the supreme prankster. I bow to you, great sir.”

“Thank you. That’s all I want to hear . . . every day from now on please.”

I narrow my eyes. “Not likely.”

Drew’s gaze is glittering. He’s so proud of himself. “I’m going to go change out of these scrubs and then I’ll make us some dinner. I think it’s the least I can do for thwarting your plans so epically.”

He’s backing toward his bedroom, which is situated just off the living room. I need to hold his attention for approximately ten steps. “Wow, how noble of you. And just what sort of dinner do you make for losers?”

“Comfort food. Maybe chicken soup?”One more step.“I’ll even throw in some crackers and a warm blanket to drape over your lap, because I’m nice like that.”

Drew barely gets his last word out before pushing open his cracked bedroom door, causing a bucket of water to rain down on his beautiful head. His whole body goes instantly rigid, shoulders bunched, wet eyelashes blinking like windshield wipers, mouth open. I am doubled over laughing, completely unrepentant.

“You!” Snort. “Fell.” Another laughing snort. “Right into.” I have to wipe my laughing tears away. “My trap!”

Drew still hasn’t moved. He’s soaked to the bone, and his scrubs cling to his muscled body in a way that almost makes it feel like the joke is on me. His head begins to shake side to side in slow, deliberate motions. “Thiswas the real prank, wasn’t it?”

I’m still laughing so hard I can’t speak, so I settle for a nod.

“The guru bit was just a decoy?”

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