Page 50 of The Temporary Roomie: Extended Edition

I glance at Lucy in time to see her shoulders drop and arms cross. “We’re going to spy on my brother, aren’t we?”

“Noooo,” I say, like that thought never crossed my mind and I love sitting outside restaurants while I eat stale candy just for fun.

“We are.” She flops back against the seat and pouts. It’s all drama with this one. “I can’t believe you let me get all dolled up and made me believe we were doing something fun tonight, when really I have to stare at my ugly brother through a restaurant window!”

I scoff. “Okay, well, you’re totally wrong. He’s not ugly.” I glance sideways and find her burning a hole through my face.

“Last I heard, youweren’t attracted to him in that way.”

“What a little loose-lipped pouty-pouterson! Can he not keep anything to himself?” I say, deeply put out by him divulging our conversation to Lucy. How much of it did he tell her? Did he mention that all the pranks were really just him flirting? Or that helikesme? I still can’t wrap my mind around it. Drew.Drew Marshall likes me.At least, he did before I kicked him in the metaphorical groin and ran away. What can I say, though? He’s not in the plan. Drew was never supposed to happen. He was supposed to hate me, and I’d hate him in return. No grand feelings, no recklessness. And definitelynonew relationships with a baby coming shortly.

“Okay, that’s it—turn around and take me home. I didn’t sign up for this.” I hit the child locks and gun it. She gasps in outrage. “Are you seriously holding me hostage right now?!”

“I’m really doing this for you.”

“How do you figure?”

All right, she’s got me there. This has absolutely no positive outcomes for her. “Fiiinnne. I just don’t want to go alone, okay? Please go with me.” Lucy can’t say no to me (or really anyone). It’s her biggest failing in life, and I’m milking it now.

“Oooh, here’s an idea: you don’t have to go alone because YOU DON’T HAVE TO GO AT ALL.”

“OW!” I wiggle my knuckle against my ear. “I think you burst my eardrum.”

She rolls her eyes, not looking regretful at all that I’ll have to wear a hearing aid from now on. “Why do you care anyway? It’s not as if you like Drew.” She pauses and whips her head around, auburn locks flying dramatically around her. “Or do you?!”

I grimace and pretend to gag likeEw, Drew? Hate him, grossest human I’ve ever met.“Absolutely not. I just think he’s lying and not really on a date tonight. I want to catch him.” Because who could find a date that fast anyway? And do women really write their names on the sides of to-go coffee cups outside of the movies?I think not, your honor.

I have had plenty of time to think about it the last two days since I overheard Drew setting up this little “date,” and I’m almost positive it’s a sham. He got his pride hurt so he wanted to rub his ability to pick up women in my face. A little salt-in-the-wound trick. Well, ha!—I’m on to you, Drew. And I’m about to catch you in the saddest solo dinner date ever.Maybe he won’t even be there. Maybe he’s sitting on a bench by the lake, throwing bread to ducks while melancholy music plays in his earbuds.One can only hope.

Lucy gripes and complains at me all the way to the restaurant, but I mostly tune her out because I’m on a mission and won’t be deterred. Once we pull up at the restaurant, a valet comes to my door and opens it, revealing the plush taco-print robe I didn’t bother changing out of. “Oh, no! Sorry! We’re not valet parking. We’re just waiting here for a friend.”

He’s judgy as he takes in my outfit. “This is a valet-only zone, ma’am. You can’t park here.”

“So sorry. I’ll move!” I shut the door and drive the car forward about four and a half feet.

Pesky valet knocks on my window, shaking his head. “Not here either. You’re going to have to pull around to the parking lot.”

The parking lot?! But that’s at the back of the building. I’ll never be able to see in the windows that way. How am I supposed to stalk someone without being able to see through a window?

Lucy’s bottom lip juts out. “Oh poo,I guess your plan is foiled and we have to go home.” She mock snaps like it’s bumming her out.

I point a stern finger at Lucy. “That’s enough sass from you.”

Doing as I’m told, I pull around to the parking lot and get out of the car. Lucy follows suit, her heels clicking on the pavement, a panicked expression on her face. “Wait, wait, wait—where are you going? Uh, Jessie, where are you going dressed like a human taco?!”

“Weare going to get a better look in that restaurant.” I can feel the giant wobbly topknot bouncing enthusiastically on the top of my head with each step.

“Oh no we are not,” Lucy says, scurrying up behind me in her flashy dress. Good for her. She never wears flashy dresses. I’m surprised Cooper shared her with me tonight. “Are you serious? I just noticed your matching burrito slippers! No one can see you like this! Take it from someone who has been caught in all manner of embarrassing situations . . .you don’t want this,” she says, gesturing wildly up and down my body.

“That’s the difference between us—you get caught. I do not.”

Her eyes bug out. “Rhyming, Jessie?Rhyming!This isn’t the time!”

“It’s always time for a good rhyme.”

“Jessie, stop.” Lucy tugs on my hand, pulling me to a halt. “Why are you doing this?”

“I told you, I want to catch him in the lie.” Someone is not paying close attention when someone else is talking. Not to point fingers, but . . . it’s Lucy.

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