Page 15 of Dear Roomie
It’s James.
I freeze, pulling him to a halt with me.
“What the hell, man?”
“That’sher,” I hiss.
“The redhead is your roommate?”
“What? No, the blond is.”
“Oh.” He thinks for a moment, and a broad grin splits across his face. “Good. Let’s go see if she’s as bad as you say.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I try to protest, but I’m already being dragged forward again.
He puts on a charming smile and slides up to their group with relaxed ease. “Ladies,” he greets the group, but his attention is on the tall ginger woman. “Mind if we join you?”
James’s bright smile falls when she recognizes me, and a look of disdain takes its place. Her two friends don’t seem to notice her discomfort, though. They areboth too focused on our arrival. The redhead drags her eyes over Nathan’s body and moistens her lips.
“Not at all.” She twirls a strand of her fiery hair around her finger and moves a step closer. “I’m Chelsea.”
“Nathan,” he responds, “and this is my buddy Morgan, although I think he’s already acquainted with your friend.” He tilts his head toward James.
Both girls turn to look at James, their eyes blazing with questions.
The brunette thinks for a moment before understanding dawns on her face. “Morgan…like, new roommate Morgan?”
Her shoulders slump as she lets out a sigh.
“Evelyn, Chels, this is my new roommate, Morgan Hall.” James’s tone is pleasant, but she glares daggers in my direction. The brunette’s—Evelyn’s—dark eyes widen, and Chelsea’s mouth falls agape.
“What the hell, Jamie? Why didn’t you tell us about this?” Chelsea asks.
“It’s only been a day. I haven’t had the chance to bring it up,” she says with a shrug.
They both stare at her like she’s grown a second head, and the man beside me can’t keep the sly grin off his face.
“Let us buy you a round, and you can get to know the guy.” He slips his arm around the redhead’s waist, and she melts into his touch as he leads her back toward Karis.
James follows them with a huff, leaving me alone with the softer woman. She drops her eyes to the ground and gives me a tentative smile from under thick lashes.
“We should probably go too,” she says to her feet. “I’m Evelyn, by the way.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Evelyn. I’m Morgan, but I think you’ve already been told that at least twice.” I cringe and rake my fingers through my hair. “Yeah, let’s just go.”
She laughs at my awkward rambling and urges me forward. Her arm brushes up against mine with every step we take, and she continues to give me shy glances out of the corner of her eyes.
Nathan already has Chelsea enthralled by his charismatic aura; he’s got his arms wrapped around her, whispering words I never want to hear against her porcelainlike neck while she lines up her shot at the pool table. Karis looks unfazed by his blatant public display of affection, so I guess this is the behavior I should learn to expect from him.
My roommate stands apart from the group, curled in on herself, with her arms folded across her chest. Part of me wants to go check on her, but her words from earlier ring in my head, so I do exactly what she asked and stay out of her way.
“I’m going to get us drinks. I’ll be right back.” I leave Evelyn with Karis and flag Gage down at the bar.
“Who are the chicks?” he asks as he approaches.
“That would be the roommate and her friends.” I don’t bother to hide the contempt in my voice.
“No shit? How did that happen?”
