Page 14 of Obligation
Tiffany got to her feet. “Carissa and I will make popcorn and get the snacks ready.” She looped her arm through Carissa’s and all but dragged her away from the group.
“I’ll find the movie,” Garrett offered.
“I’m going to put a shirt on.” Bradley didn’t care that he was shirtless, but he figured putting on a few more clothes was the polite thing to do.
“And I’ll just sit here and look pretty,” Cory said.
“Good luck with that,” Carissa called from the kitchen.
Bradley laughed as he walked into his room. He closed the door, mostly so he could have a few moments alone to collect himself. What were the chances that the girl he couldn’t stop thinking about just happened to be his roommate’s girlfriend? Or that she just happened to find him of all people and kiss him? He wasn’t a huge believer in coincidences, especially not that many.
He rummaged around in his dresser for a T-shirt. Yanking the cotton material over his head, he shoved his arms into the sleeves. How could she have kissed him with so much passion, so much heat, and claim it meant nothing? No one could fake that kind of emotion.
Dropping his basketball shorts to his ankles, he kicked them off, then slipped into a pair of gray sweatpants. He sank down onto his bed and jerked socks onto his feet. The more he thought about the instant connection they’d had, the angrier and more annoyed he became. He refused to be “the other man,” but he also refused to walk away from Carissa.
After things went south with his ex, he hadn’t been looking for a new relationship. Hell, he’d been actively avoiding getting involved with anyone, but then Carissa barreled into his life and now… He blew out a breath and combed his fingers through his hair. Before he made any decisions about anything, he needed more information. And tonight, one way or another, he’d get some answers from her.
Chapter Six
“Okay, what the hell?” Tiffany whispered harshly, her head bent toward Carissa.
“What the hell what?” Carissa feigned innocence.
“Don’t play dumb with me.” Tiffany propped her hand on her hip and gave Carissa a stern look. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t that the guy you—”
“Shhh,” Carissa said, darting a glance at Garrett and Cory.
Thankfully, they were too busy squabbling about the movie. Danny and Jeremy had already left, so she didn’t need to worry about either of them overhearing this conversation. Still, now was not the time nor the place.
“Well?” Tiffany tapped her foot with impatience. “Is he?”
Carissa sighed. “Yes. And before you ask, no. I had no idea he was Danny’s roommate. Believe me, I’m just as shocked as you are.”
“Oh, I’m not shocked about that. I mean, I am.” She shook her head and waved her hand dismissively. “I saw the looks you two were giving each other, and if you’re not careful, Danny’s going to notice, too.”
Groaning, Carissa hung her head. Talk about a nightmare. But in her defense, how could she not look at Bradley? He’d been hot last night fully dressed, and now that she’d seen him shirtless? She had to refrain from fanning her face. God, the ripped muscles on that guy. He was what wet dreams were made of.
Heat crept up her neck, and she forced her thoughts to something a lot less enticing. She snatched the box of popcorn from the counter and tore into it. “How many bags should we make?” she asked.
Tiffany made a disproving sound but didn’t call Carissa out on the sudden change of topic. “How many bags are in there?”
“Six.”
“Make them all.” Tiffany shrugged. “The guys will eat it.” She laughed.
Carissa distracted herself with microwaving the bags of popcorn while Tiffany searched for bowls. She came up empty handed.
“Hey, dingbats!” Tiffany snapped her fingers to get Garrett and Cory’s attention, and Carissa snickered. “Bowls?”
Garrett tossed the remote on the coffee table and wandered into the kitchen. “If they’re not in the cabinet near the fridge, then they probably haven’t been unpacked yet. Sorry.”
“That’s fine,” Carissa said. “We’ll just have to share the bags.”
Bradley emerged from his room, and Carissa couldn’t stop herself from staring. Somehow, he managed to look even better in those gray sweats than he had in the shorts. And he certainly did those pants justice, generously filling out the important areas. She forced her attention back to her task, but not fast enough. Bradley caught her staring and winked.
He grabbed a handful of discarded napkins and tossed them into the trash from across the room.
Cory whistled. “Nice shot.”
