Page 101 of Roommating

Sabrina:Is it rude for both of us to walk out at the same time?

I watch Adam read the text. He looks up and shakes his head at me, then sighs. He types out a response with a slight quirk of his lips.

Adam:We can’t have that. I’ll go first. Count to 60 and follow

I nod and watch him slip out.

I turn toward the front, mentally count to sixty, and as quietly as possible, step out into the main room.

Adam’s back is to me while he peruses books on a small roundtable in the center of the room allowing me to appreciate his defined delts through the thin fabric of his brown graphic T-shirt.

As if sensing me staring at him, he turns around and his eyes light up. “Did you make it out without offending anyone?”

“The audience didn’t boo my exit and the author didn’t burst into tears—”

“That you know of.” His blue eyes twinkle.

“Right.” I place a hand over my frantically beating heart willing it to slow down.

“So what’s up?” His tone is not unfriendly, but based on the way he’s studying me, his question is casual code for “What are you doing here?”

My face goes hot under the scrutiny. “You know… the yuzh.”

He narrows his eyes. “Bookstore events in Philly arethe yuzhnow?”

I tuck a strand of hair behind my ears. I should have rehearsed my speech better.Or at all.“No… I’m just… um… I came to see you.”

His eyebrows furrow. “How did you know I’d be here?”

I shrug like it’s no big deal. “One of the emails you sent me while I was in Europe… you mentioned this store and said you went to all the author events, so I thought I’d—”

“Surprise me?”

“Surprise!” I do dorky jazz hands before I can stop myself. “I didn’t see you in the crowd and thought you weren’t here but then you—”

“Texted?”

I jut a hip. “Are you planning to completeallmy sentences tonight?” I’m not really annoyed. The teasing banter is good. It allows us to ease back into our dynamic rather than blurting out my feelings.

His lips quirk. “Sorry.”

“I have things to say that I’d rather say in person than over text.”

He looks at me with focus. “Go on.”

I take a deep breath in and out. “The thing is, when I fought you to stay with Marcia, I didn’t realize that winning the apartment would mean losingyou. I sort of assumed you’d stay in New York and that maybe we could continue what we started. I also don’t think I even realized how much I liked you…lovedyou… until it was too late.” I lower my gaze for a beat before raising my head again.

Adam’s eyes are wide, but he remains silent, probably assuming I have more to say.

I swallow hard. “There’s more to my speech, but please put me out of my misery if you don’t feel at all the same way.” My heart is still thumping frantically.

His lips curl up in the hint of a smile. “I’ve missed you, Brina.”

“Yeah?” The word comes out choked and I hold a breath, bracing for thebutthat I pray doesn’t follow. That he used my nickname is a good sign. It’s more intimate and less likely to be followed by a rejection. Right?

He nods. “I miss watching trashy television with you. You’ve made me believe the people onLove Is Blindare actually there for the right reasons and not just to collect followers. I miss the way the bathroom smells like Valentine’s Day after you shower because of your body wash. I miss the way you blush when I take my shirt off. I miss how easily I can make you blush in general. Like right now.” His eyes dance. “You’re such a good friend to my grandma. You love reading. You’re smart and tech savvy. You put up a good fight when you believe in something. And you’re really hot!” This timeheblushes. “I didn’t expect to fall for my grandmother’s roommate, but that’s exactly what I did.” He licks his lips. “Which is to say, I love you too.”

Because I’m temporarily mesmerized by the quick flash of his tongue, I hear his words on a brief delay. But when they sink in, my rib cage expands and my cheeks spontaneously stretch into a huge grin. He loves me too!

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