Page 75 of Roommating

“Thanks for the advice.” He opens the pantry and removes a bag of Cheetos before walking out again.

Rude.

Less than five minutes later, he comes back and returns the Cheetos to the pantry.

A few minutes afterthat, he returns and hovers while I wash leaves of romaine.

“Wet lettuce. Yum.”

I let the knife drop to the granite with a thud.

“I’m just saying.” He laughs and leaves again.

I’m so close to losing my mind after he comes in and out two more times that I call Carley for reinforcements.

“I have an idea,” she says.

I howl when she tells me what it is. “Are you sure? It doesn’t seem too sanitary to me.”

“It’s fine. Just don’t put it near the food.”

“Okay.” I end the call and take a deep breath in and out.Talk about committing.I reach behind me with both arms and unsnap my bra. Then I pull it out from under my tank top. After pausing a second to consider, I shove it in a drawer with the take-out menus and turn around just as Adam returns, right on schedule.

“Here to give me more unsolicited advice?”

He lifts his empty glass of water. “Nope. Just need a re—” His eyes drop to my chest and he bangs into a kitchen chair. “Jesus.”

Pricelessis more like it. I beam. “You all right?”

Marcia enters the kitchen wearing black yoga pants and a baggyyellow hoodie. Her blond hair is pulled off her face with a floral headband. “It smells delicious in here!”

My breath hitches and I quickly wrap my arms around my chest. Carley’s brilliant idea didn’t account forMarciawalking in on me while I’m wearing an obscenely tight tank top without a bra, but it’s not like I can put it back on without her noticing. “Thank you! It will be ready in about an hour,” I say, attempting to act normal.

“Itdoessmell good. I’m so hungry. Can I have a veggie to tide me over?” Adam’s eyes dance.

I plant on a smile. “Help yourself.”

“Can you hand it to me?”

Ignoring him, I turn to Marcia. “The lasagna is vegetarian for heart health.”

“How thoughtful of you.” Her eyes drop to my arms still wrapped protectively around my chest and her brows furrow. “Are you cold?”

Adam waves his hand in front of his face like a fan. “It’s actually really hot in here. Are you coming down with something?”

“I hope not,” Marcia says.

“I’m fine.”

Over her head, Adam shakes his head and mouths, “Bad girl.”

I shrug.Guilty.

Less than an hour later, dinner is ready, and the table is set. I realize I still haven’t put my bra back on and am about to remove it from the drawer.

“I’m so excited for this dinner, Sabrina!” Marcia says from behind me.

I throw my arms around my chest, turn around, and face my roommate… both of them. She’s beaming at me. Adam mirrors my stance with his arms crossed and smiles knowingly.

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