Page 35 of Roommating

Sabrina:No comment on the mahjong? You’re the one who dragged me to that mahjong club last year

Carley:that was just a decoy. You really want to talk about the book club

I sigh. There she goes reading my mind again.

Sabrina:Can you believe Adam never read THG?

Carley: Does THG stand for The Hot Grandson?

I shake my head and laugh.

Sabrina:THE HUNGER GAMES

Before I can stop myself, I text again.

Sabrina:He might have accidentally given me a foot rub

Feeling scandalous, I drop the phone upside down on the area rug at my feet and cover my eyes.

Ping.

Carley:It must be serious if there’s been hand to foot contact. You’re playing with fire, Finkelstein

Sabrina:Nothing is happening. It can’t. Too weird

Carley:Who r u trying to convince?

Good question. I wish I had an answer.

Chapter Seventeen

The following Sunday, I’m in the apartment alone aside from Rocket, who’s dozing on Marcia’s bed. Marcia’s getting her hair done and Adam… well, I have no idea where he is. Contrary to what Chloe’s grandpa might think, we’re not in a relationship, which means where Adam goes when he’s not at home or at the library is none of my business. He could be at the gym or on a date. I push the Swiffer WetJet across the wood floor with a heavy hand and brush a sweaty lock of hair off my face. I’m seizing the opportunity to clean the living room without anyone around to get in my space.

My phone pings with an incoming text message, giving me the excuse I need to banish Adam’s whereabouts from my mind, at least for now. It’s from my sister.

Audrina:You’re coming home for Mom’s bday/Passover, right?

Sabrina:Why wouldn’t I?

Our mom’s birthday is tomorrow, April seventh, but we always celebrate it at Passover whether the holiday falls in March or April,since it changes from year to year. This year it’s later than usual, in the second half of the month.

Audrina:It’s a yes or no answer

I roll my eyes.

Sabrina:Yes

I watch the screen as my sister types out a response, but when the dancing bubbles disappear, I place my phone on the coffee table to resume my cleaning, assuming the text exchange is over.

Ping.

Audrina:There’s something else

Sabrina:Go on

Audrina:I’m moving in with Mom

My muscles tense. I blink and read the words again to make sure I’m understanding correctly. After the fourth reread, my heart leaps into my throat.

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