Page 46 of The Roommate Remodel

She bites her lip. “Brax admitted that not contacting you after the wedding was one of his biggest regrets.”

I frown. “Are you sure you heard him right?”

She nods slowly. “I thought you should know. In case...” She stops, but I know what she’s trying to say.

“He still feels that way?” I tuck a wisp behind my ear. “He made it clear there’s not a chance.” I turn away, hoping my face doesn’t betray me. If therewasa chance, I wouldn’t give up so easily.

“Jaz, have you asked him about what happened?”

“I don’t have to ask, because I already know the answer.” I can’t bring myself to talk about what happened the night we went line dancing when he just walked away from me. I thought I saw something in his eyes. But then he just left me standing there.Was I the only one feeling that tension between us?

“But he might feel differently now,” she says. “You don’t know what was happening in his life back then. He might have reasons for why he didn’t call you after the wedding.”

“Sloan...” I rub my forehead, wanting these feelings for Brax to go away. “I wish it were that easy, or that I could snap my fingers and make my problems magically disappear. But that’s not the way life works. Brax becoming my accidental roommate has made my life more complicated.But it doesn’t mean that things have changed between us. As soon as they move out, it will be easier.”

She bites her lip. “That’s the other thing. Tate told me there’s still a shortage of rentals. It might be months before they move.”

“Months?” I stare at her. That means there’s no chance I’m getting away from Brax soon.

Every time I see him, it’s like he’s a black hole and I’m space junk. He’s got a gravitational pull I can’t resist. And the problem is, I’d gladly get sucked into his vortex and never come out again.

Which means I need to be more strict about rules around here.

No flirting. No dancing. Anddefinitelyno touching.

Because if he touches me again, I might not control what happens next.

ELEVEN

Jaz

When the team piles off the bus for our team-building activity, Dawson glances at the woods behind me.

“Are we going hiking?” he says, crinkling his nose. It’s obvious he’s not excited about spending time in nature.

“Not hiking,” I say, glancing at the treetops. “Something better.”

“Unless there’s a party back here, I can think of more fun things to do,” Leo grumbles from behind me.

“No party, I’m afraid.” I toss him a look over my shoulder. “Just fun in the wild. Do you enjoy throwing yourself off high places?”

“You’re kidding,” Leo drawls.

“Wait. Are we zip-lining?” Tate asks, his eyes widening. “Doesn’t that go against our contract?”

“There’s nothing in your contract, Sheriff,” Vale says with a pleased grin. Vale’s a natural risk taker, so he’s all in for danger.

“Is anyone scared of heights?”

I glance around to see if anyone looks afraid. Even Brax looks pleased with the idea of strapping himself to a line and throwing himself offa platform.

That means I’m the only one who hates this idea. At least I can use my administrative duties as an excuse not to go.

I glance at my clipboard. “We’re going to check in and then pair up. Coach Thompson asked me to draw names so you won’t team up with people you already know.”

For the next few minutes, I randomly select names from an envelope, writing each pair down as the group straps on helmets.

“Vale and Tate, Dawson and Lucian...” I finally reach the end. “And Brax is with...”

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