Page 49 of The Love Simulation

Roman squints at me for a few seconds then shakes his head. “You’re kind of bossy, you know.”

“I’m not bossy.”

“No? First you threaten to come down on anyone who calls me Major Pain. Now you threatenmeif I help out with the antenna.”

“I didn’t threaten you. I’m just saying. Our nurse isn’t here, so maintaining the mental stability and physical health of everyone has fallen to me.” It’s something I decided just now. “You’re my number one patient, Roman, being that you’re my only patient.”

“Well, good. It makes me feel special.”

The way he looks at me, even in the low light, or most especially in the low light, makes me nervous. My stomach is swirling with butterflies, and I’m sure my pulse is off the charts. I lick my lips. “So how are you feeling? Is your headache gone?”

“Not all the way, but I’m recovering. It’s a lot better than it was earlier.”

I nod. I should probably leave now. He’s not back to one hundred percent yet, so he could use more rest.

“I like your tattoos,” I say instead of walking out. “I must admit, I was surprised when I found you here without a shirt. In my bed. With everything on full display.”

“Does it make you uncomfortable?” he asks.

Uncomfortable? No. Ravenous? Yes. “No. I grew up with two older brothers. I’m used to seeing men walk around without shirts on.”

“Then why won’t you look at me?”

I grip a handful of the sheets. What do I say to that? It’s not like I can admit to wanting to get up close and personal with every part of him and that I’m just barely holding myself back. “I just didn’t want to makeyouuncomfortable.”

“You won’t. I like when you look at me.”

“Roman!” I exclaim, falling speechless. How can he just say these things to me? Like these are normal, everydayconversations we’ve been having forever. “Why do you keep saying things like that?” I finally ask. If he’s going to be blunt, so will I.

“I thought yesterday I made it pretty clear. I like you, Bri. Is that plain enough?”

I shake my head. “Where is this coming from? I don’t get it.”

“It’s been here. I couldn’t do anything about it at school. But we’re not at school now. Here, you’re not Vice Principal Rogers. I’m not Mr. Major. We’re just Brianna and Roman.”

Have any names ever sounded so sweet together?

He moves from his spot against the headboard, scooting closer to me. If I simply move my shoulder, I’ll touch him. And maybe that’s what he wants.

“I want to get to know you more. I like spending time around you. I think you’re funny, smart, beautiful. I like all the different hairstyles you wear.” He tucks a braid behind my ear.

“In the library at school you said I was amazing…” I’m fishing for compliments, but he’s the one who started reeling them out.

“Yes, you’re amazing. And sexy. You’re my dream girl.” His words are music to my ears. “But, if you don’t feel the same…”

“I do,” I say quickly. I shouldn’t admit it, but there it is.

Roman is encouraged by my answer and moves in even closer so that his legs bracket me on the bed. His hand drops from my ear to my shoulder and down my arm, then he picks up my hand and interlaces our fingers.

“I just…I don’t know if this is a good idea,” I say.

“Maybe it’s not.” He shrugs. “But we’re here now. We might as well make this happen while we’re in the present.”

I like that way of thinking. I need to stay in the present.I’m not at school. I’m not even out in the common room, where cameras are everywhere. I’m holding hands with my literal dream man.

I nod. “Okay. While we’re here in the simulation, when we’re behind closed doors and it’s just the two of us, we can get to know each other better.”

He lets out a satisfied sigh. “I’ll take you however I can have you. In here, where it’s just us. Out there, in front of everybody. I’ll follow your lead.”

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