Page 79 of Roommating

My muscles tense. I turn to face him and we’re so close that my boobs brush against his belly. It wasn’t on purpose, but when he sucks in a breath at the contact, I feel victorious just the same. “I wasn’t playing anything. Marcia clearly enjoys my company and wants me around.”

He places a rinsed plate in the dishwasher. “I’m sure she’ll invite you to join us when you move out. Maybe your octogenarian roommate can come too.”

“What is this about an octogenarian roommate? I’m not there yet!” Marcia says.

Adam mutters “shit” under his breath while I think quickly on my feet. “I suggested that if Adam wants to stay in New York City on a library page’s salary after he moves out of here, he should check out ads on the RoomBridge app. It worked for us, right?”

“It sure did.” She glances at her watch. “We should get going in a few minutes. Leave the rest for later.” She excuses herself to freshen up.

When she’s gone, I turn to Adam. “Nowthatwas nicely played.”

Chapter Thirty-Four

The dog comedian was no Jim Gaffigan but his jokes, mostly centered on over-the-top dog owners, were funny. The warm feeling in my heart over Marcia refusing to let me stay at home and do dishes while she and Adam enjoyed themselves lasted all night… a reminder that our friendship isn’t any less important to her just because her grandson is back in the picture. But the park was crowded, and for the entire hour I was hyperaware of Adam right next to me—his throaty laugh, his long fingers stroking Rocket’s fur, his grapefruit scent. My only consolation was that he seemed equally tuned in to my presence. We’d laugh at a joke and catch eyes. Or he’d lean into me so his large body pressed against my side before playing it off as accidental and stepping away, taking his warmth with him.

And now it’s two days later and I’m trying to focus on work while he’s across the floor shelving returns and wearing jeans that once again make his ass look amazing. I’m well aware, having seen said ass up close and naked, that it’s not the jeans, but even Jeremy Allen White’s butt doesn’t look perfect ineverypair of pants.

I force my gaze away from him and focus on the patron in front of me at the circulation desk. “Is your last name spelledo-d-e-roro-e-d-e-r?” She asked me to check if the branch has a copy of her novel.

“O-d-e-r. Gwen Schroder.” The woman, who’s probably only a few years older than me, bites down on her lower lip. “This is mylocal branch and I’d be so excited if you had a copy here. I could have checked online, but I wanted to see for myself.”

“I totally understand! Let’s see.” I type her name into the catalog and smile when I see a title come up. “A copy ofClear for Disbeliefwas just returned today. Is that the one?”

Her blue eyes widen. “Yes!” She claps a hand against her heart. “Oh my god. So it’s somewhere in the libraryrightnow? And someone actually took it out?”

I chuckle. Her excitement is endearing. “Yes and yes. Our page is probably shelving it as we speak. Go ask him.” I point at Adam. “Tell him I sent you over.”

She looks over her shoulder at Adam and back to me. “I will. Thank you!”

“My pleasure. Congratulations on the book!”

Since there’s no one else in line, I watch her approach Adam. I can’t hear what she says, but I clock the understanding that washes over his face followed by a huge smile before he rummages through the cart, pulls out the copy of her book, and hands it to her. She hugs it to her chest for a second then returns it to Adam, who reads the back. As the two chat, something sour swirls in my gut.

They’re two extremely attractive people of similar age who share an interest in books. She’s a published author, which is super impressive, and her reaction to seeing her novel at the library was adorable, which probably means she’s not an asshole. And Adam is a whole damn meal. Since we’re not sleeping together anymore, not that we were even exclusive, he’s free to pursue someone else.

Gwen removes something from her purse… a bookmark… and hands it to Adam. He takes it and…

Shit.He’s looking at me. They’rebothlooking at me. Why? My hands sweat and I wipe them along my jeans, willing myself topull it together. I square my shoulders and channel the Sabrina of Sunday… the Sabrina who absolutely caused Adam to walk into a chair… or at least the Sabrinawhosebreastsmade Adam walk into a chair. By the time this mental transition from jealous mouse to fierce goddess is complete, they’re not looking at me anymore. Adam’s returned to his shelving and Gwen is walking in my direction with a huge smile. “That was one of the best moments of my life.”

I want to ask if she’s referring to seeing her book in a library or meeting Adam. Instead, I offer my congratulations again and resume trying to focus on work and not the perfect fit of his jeans.

After school that night, I pop my head into Marcia’s open room to say hi, only to be greeted by a shirtless Adam.

“Seriously?” It comes out before I can stop myself.

Adam grunts and lets the king-size mattress he’s raised with his palms fall against the box spring. “Seriouslywhat?”

I lean against the doorframe and cross my arms over my chest. “Youhadto take your shirt off to flip Marcia’s mattress?”

He swipes his hand against the back of his neck, grinning when he notices me tracking the motion. “It’s heavy. I knew I would sweat. Why would I soil a perfectly clean shirt?”

I shrug. I don’t have a good answer and refuse to give him the answer Idohave—that I’m inconveniently turned on by his bare chest.

He crosses the room until he’s standing right in front of me. “Does my bare chest bother you, Sabrina?”

I lift my chin, holding my breath. “Not at all.” I clench my thighs.

His eyes darken. “Then why won’t you look at it?”

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