Page 62 of The Love Simulation

“If you have more to say about my quirky personality, can you tell me about it later?”

“It also says that you’re my perfect match.”

I pause, sure I didn’t hear him right. “What?”

“Did you think you were the only nerd here?”

“Um. Yes?”

“Do you know who Roderick Hall is? The seventh grader who got detention at least five times for doingAvatar: The Last Airbendermoves in the cafeteria?” At my bemused nod, Roman continues. “Well, that used to be me, but withDBZ.”

“DBZ?”

He looks down at me with wide eyes. “Dragon Ball Z. Brianna, please tell me you’re joking.”

I smile. “I grew up with two brothers, of course I knowDBZ.”

“Who’s your favorite character?”

“Piccolo, duh!”

Roman lets out a relieved breath. “See what I mean? Perfect match,” he says softly. “And I really want to kiss you right now.”

His eyes entrap me, making it impossible for me to look away. Though, to be honest, I’m a more-than-willing captive. I stare into his eyes, seeing my face reflecting back from his beautiful irises, and I’m not falling for Roman—I’m flying. Ready to go to another plane of existence with this man as long as he keeps looking at me like this. I don’t think this level of willingness is healthy.

“Don’t talk about it,” I say. “Be about it.”

“Are we just going to ignore the cameras? Not that having an audience would stopme. But your job…”

I blink, then my eyes open wide in realization. I forgot we were under surveillance—that’s what being around Roman does to me. Here in the greenhouse, they can’t hear us, but they can see us well enough. Just out in the open for anyone to see me getting cozy with Roman. For any of my colleagues to think I could cross lines and play favorites. For Principal Major to have even more of a reason to be hard on me.

A voice in my mind screams,So the hell what? We’re consenting adults. What we do outside of school hours is no one’s business but ours.But full-out and open PDA could have consequences that would derail everything I’m working for. Everything Roman has worked for as well.

But I want him. No, Ineedhim.

“Tonight then,” I say. “After we eat.”

He smiles. “You want to schedule kissing after dinner?”

I bite my lip and shake my head. “Not just kissing. I want you.”

Roman swallows and his nostrils flare, and my muscles tighten knowing he wants me too. “After dinner.”

I have never been lessinterested in eating a meal in my life. I was prepared to eat some beef jerky and call it a night, but Roman insisted on sustenance, so now we’re wasting time at the table.

Roman sets his slice of pizza down and wipes any sauceagainst a cloth napkin before turning the page of my once-lost-but-now-found book,That Time I Got Drunk and Yeeted a Love Potion at a Werewolf.I don’t know what part he’s on, but the looks he gives me when glancing up let me know there’s got to be something spicy going on.

“Stop playing and eat your food,” I say under my breath.

His response is to turn the page again and make an interested humming sound in the back of his throat. I try to ignore him by focusing on my own food, but he keeps bumping his knee into mine or reaching over me to get the salt I know he’s not going to use on his pizza. Anything to get my attention back on him.

He’s insufferable, and I love it.

“I’ll walk around to make sure the lights are off and everything is powered down,” Roman volunteers after we’ve both finished eating. He grabs my plate and takes it with his to the sink. “You can go hang out in our room.”

I don’t need him to tell me twice.

When I get to the bedroom, I glance around the space looking for…what? I don’t know. I spot the candle Simone left behind. I grab it and set it on my footboard for added ambiance. Next I look at Angie’s bed. I put her box of condoms in her bag after she left, and now I’m pulling it back out and feeling guilty. These aren’t mine. Angie won’t be using them, but still. And what if I read Roman wrong and we were having two totally different conversations? I think we’re about to make sweet, sweet love, and he’s under the impression we’re going to play some board games? I heave a sigh and open the box, grabbing one, then run to my bed and slip it under a pillow. It’s there if we need it. If not, no harm done.

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