Page 34 of Roommating

“Are any of these available to take out now? We’ll buy it for Chloe for her e-reader, but my wife and I will want to read the hard copy together.”

I picture Chloe’s grandparents reading side by side in bed and my heart grows a size. “Let’s see!” Although we could check online, it’s easy enough to walk to the young adult section in the back and see what’s there. We get lucky withThe Selection.

With his book in hand, Chloe’s grandpa beams at me and Adam. “Thank you so much for your help.”

“Our pleasure! Please come back and tell us what Chloe thought of the book,” Adam says.

“I will!” And with a salute, he takes his red umbrella and leaves.

I turn to Adam. “We’re readingThe Hunger Gamesas our buddy read, and since ‘bossy women are the best,’ I expect no argument.”

We hold our first book club discussion a few nights later after Marcia goes to bed. We asked her to join us, but she had no interest in a book about “kids killing each other.” We’re both dressed comfy for a night-in, me in beige drawstring pants and a plain white cotton tee and Adam in black sweatpants and a gray UPenn sweatshirt.

“How can you be Team Gale?” I say to him while curled on one end of his couch/bed.

From the other side, Adam says, “I’m not teamanyone. I’m just calling it like I see it.”

“Fine. The jury will hear your case, counselor.” I kick my foot against his.

He catches it and holds it in place. “I think Katniss feels loyal to Peeta given what they’ve been through, but the kiss in the cave was fake. She’s in love with Gale. This is not me shipping them. It’s a fact.”

I open my mouth to argue but nothing comes out because Adam is still holding my foot, gently massaging it through my socked toe, and it feels amazing. Better to say nothing than moan in pleasure.

I detect the exact moment he realizes what he’s doing because the color drains from his face and he drops his hands like the sole of my foot has sprouted painful and poisonous needles.

I quickly hug my legs to my chest and carry on as if nothing happened. Hiding my flaming face with my hair, I say, “I don’t want to give anything away, but you’re wrong. I won’t say more since you haven’t finished the trilogy.”

His eyes dance. “Fair enough.”

I smirk. “I knew you’d love it.”

“And you were right.”

Don’t you wish you’d read it earlier?”

He shakes his head softly. “No. Because we wouldn’t be reading it together now.”

I slowly melt.

Blissfully unaware of my liquification, Adam vaults off the couch. “Cheetos?”

Before going to sleep later, I text Carley from my bed.

Sabrina:How was the show tonight?

I close my eyes. This could be a while. My phone dings. Or not.

Carley:The makeup was *chef’s kiss*

Sabrina:Because who cares if the leads are tone-deaf if their makeup application is flawless, right?

Carley:Wrd. What did you do?

Sabrina:The library’s first Mahjong for Beginners lesson was today. And I had book club with Adam

My heart rate speeds up as it does whenever I mention Adam.Rude.

Carley:What’s this about book club?

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