Page 97 of Fostering Chemistry
“I thought it would be a good spot for us to talk.”
Crap.
“About what?” Mia asked. Her curls bounced across her shoulders as she turned her head.
Diego hesitated. “About you, actually.”
“I’m fine,” she said immediately. “I’m not going to be running any footraces, but I’m much better.”
“Good to hear,” Diego said, a bit absently. “But this is about something else. Something a little awkward.”
Shit. I wanted to say, if it’s awkward why bring it up? Not that that would stop him.
“The thing is, we’re all friends here and roommates,” Diego began. “And we need to keep certain boundaries in order to keep living in harmony. I know it might be a little difficult, since there aren’t many women living here.”
That was a lot of words that didn’t amount to anything.
Evidently, Mia thought so, too. “Just say what you mean.”
Diego sighed. “I think… I suspect that more than one person in this house has an interest in you, Mia. A romantic interest.And without some open communication, that could lead to hurt feelings and an uncomfortable living situation for us all.”
We all stared at him, even Aaron looking surprised though presumably it was his talk with Diego last night that had led to this.
Fire showed in Mia’s eyes, but when she spoke, she was calm and concise. “I see. I’ll try to keep my supposed romantic entanglements from making you uncomfortable.”
“It’s not me I’m worried about.” Diego said, and his gaze cut over to me. Right, because out of all the damaged people here, I was the most damaged. Good to know that was the prevailing thought.
“Leave me out of this,” I snapped.
“I can’t. It’s my job to make sure that we’re all comfortable living here.”
“No, it’s not,” Mia said. “It’s your job to keep the house running smoothly and to give a well-practiced welcome speech. You’re not a therapist.”
“Very true,” Diego said smoothly. “But I do try to step in if I feel that some of my roommates are going to get hurt.”
“Try stepping back out,” I muttered. There were so many things I wanted to say, but they always got jumbled up in my brain and didn’t come out right. Like what happened after the movie night with Mia.
“We’re not trying to put you on the spot, Mia,” Aaron said, and her head swirled to him. She might have felt a little betrayed, but at least he was man enough to admit that this dumbass conversation wasn’t just Diego’s idea.
She set down her drink. “Whatareyou trying to do?”
Aaron sighed, not meeting her eyes. “I guess I’d just like to know where I stand.”
“And that couldn’t be accomplished by asking me?”
“No. Not when there may be another person here who likes you.”
Jesus. Did he have to beat around the bush so much? There were three of us here with her, so he didn’t have to be so damn subtle. And also, I was pretty sure he was miscounting. “Just one other?” I asked.
Both Mia and Aaron turned to stare at me. Diego, however, just looked at his food.
“Who brought Mia the flowers?” I demanded.
“I thought you did,” Aaron said.
I shook my head. “If it’s not music, I don’t give a fuck about it.”
“That tracks,” Mia muttered. “So who did get them?” Her gaze went back to Aaron, who did seem like the most likely candidate.
