Page 20 of Roommating

“Fine. Siberian husky eyes.”

I choke on a laugh. “They’re pretty, right?”

“So pretty!” She pulls me off the bed. “I’m sorry for the mad dash, but I should get out of here. I’m meeting my own blue-eyed boy later.”

“Frank?” Carley met Frank, a production electrician, at Bar Centrale when they were both there for post-show cocktails one night a few weeks earlier.

“Yes.” A flush crawls up her neck.

She must like him because she doesn’t blush easily. “Have fun!”

“I plan to. Walk me out and then talk to the grandson.”

“Fine. It’s better to do it while Marcia is out.” Given that I asked for her advice, I should probably take it. And she’s right. We can’t continue living with the current vibes.

“Agreed! No time like the present.” She puts her hand on the doorknob. “You’ve got this?”

I nod.

“Tits up.” She lifts her chest.

“Tits up.” I do the same.

She opens the door.

The light in the living room is off and the apartment is empty. I’m alone.

Chapter Ten

When I made the decision to confront Adam, I had no idea it would be so hard! He was sleeping when I left for work on Friday, watchingBegin Againwith Marcia on Prime that night, and basically impossible to catch out of earshot from Marcia at all times in between. I work a ten-to-five shift on Saturday, but when I get home, he’s alone in the living room, quietly reading on the couch with the television off.Finally.

I say a quick hello and drop my purse in my room before joining him again. “Hey, Adam?” I peer closer to see what he’s reading but he blocks it with his large hands, almost like he knows how curious I am and is mocking me. “Is Marcia home?” I don’t want to risk her walking in on our conversation.

He raises his head. “She’s in her room.” A shadow crosses his face.

I immediately panic. “What happened?”

He grimaces. “I came home as she was wrestling with folding the couch. I took over, but it was too late. She pulled her back.”

My stomach lurches. “Oh no.”

“It’s my fault. I didn’t make the bed before I left for the Y. I don’t know what I was thinking.” He looks pained.

Fuck.Though I could pile on the guilt, I’m not that cruel. “How bad is it? Does she need a doctor?”

Adam places his book on the coffee table.The Ferryman. “I don’t think so. I set her up in bed with some painkillers and a heating pad. She’s resting.”

“I’m going to check on her.” I turn my back on him and knock gently on her door.

“Come in.”

My stomach drops at the sight of Marcia lying in bed in a two-piece pajama set at six on a Saturday evening. The cord from the heating pad stretches from the bed and disappears behind her nightstand. She looks twice her age. I gulp. No. She looks precisely her age, which sometimes I forget is almost fifty years older than me.

“I’m so sorry about your back.”

“Why areyousorry?” Marcia props herself up against the pillow. Rocket, who is sprawled across her legs and docile, like he knows she needs tender loving care and is in no condition to deal with his usual shenanigans, looks up at her before resting his head again.

I curve my body inward to make myself smaller. “I’m supposed to do the heavy lifting around here so you don’t have to.”

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