Page 39 of Roommating

Adam calls him over. Rocket raises his head and trots over at a significantly less energetic pace than usual.

“You tired, boy?” In answer, Rocket buries himself in between Adam’s legs. When my first thought is “lucky dog,” I vault off the bench. “Let’s go.”

We’re back on our block before we know it, and I’m considering splurging for a sampler box of cupcakes from Baked by Melissa for the three of us to share at home when I see a familiar blond head outside Le Café Coffee next door. “Marcia!”

Adam blocks my way with his arm. “Wait.”

“What?”

“She’s talking to someone.” His arm is still against my chest.

“So?” I know many of Marcia’s friends from the gym and just living with her for the last eight months. Maybe I want to say hello too. At further glance, I decide the woman she’s talking to—petite with shoulder-length reddish-brown hair that has the glossiness of a fresh professional blow-dry despite the damp but humid air—does not look familiar.

Marcia throws her head back in a laugh and smooths down her own hair.

The other woman blushes and takes a step closer to her.

Are theyflirting?

“Is my grandma flirting?”

Marcia plants a playful tap on the woman’s wool-blend mod coat.

“She’s totally flirting.” My surprise is not judgment. There’s nothing wrong with Marcia getting her flirt on; I’ve just never witnessed it before. My already pleasant mood ticks up a notch at the sight. “Your grandmother is so pretty. She should be dating!” She blurted at the diner that menopause had messed with her hormones, but maybe she’s ready to get back out there now. Would she even still have sex at her age?

Just then, Marcia looks in our direction and waves. We watch asshe says goodbye to the woman and walks over to us with a bright smile. “I was wondering which of you had Rocket.” She bends to pet the dog, who stops licking the ground at his feet in favor of Marcia’s face.

“Who was that woman?” Adam asks as we enter the building and head toward the elevator.

I shake my head. He is so not slick.

Marcia, who is in the lead, looks over her shoulder at us. “You’ve never met Lois? She’s a neighbor… She lives in the other wing.”

“You seemed to like her.”

I jab him with my elbow.

“What? She did!”

Marcia whispers, “Can we table this conversation until we’re home?” and gestures toward the two other people in the elevator.

I swing my head toward Adam.Ican wait. I’m not so sure about him.

The elevator stops on our floor. The door is barely open before Rocket is off like a bat out of hell with a renewed burst of energy. Marcia calmly saunters down the hall, while Adam and I work to match her slower stride.

“So what’s the story with Lois?” Adam asks not a second after we’re inside the apartment.

“It’s not what you’re thinking. She’s straight.” Marcia frowns.

I chew on my lip. “Do you wish she weren’t?”

Marcia blushes. “Kind of.” She busies herself switching the positions of two figurines on the ladder bookshelf in the living room.

“Have you thought about dating again? She’s not the only fish in the sea, and you shouldn’t waste the pretty! Right, Adam?”

She turns and points a pale-pink manicured finger at me. “You’re one to talk.”

Heat flushes my face. I can feel Adam’s gaze on me but don’t dare meet it head-on. “I date! Some. It’s hard to juggle with school and work. But we’re not talking about me right now.”

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