Page 52 of Dear Roomie
“I know, me too. How’s Dad?” Normally, I wouldn’t bother to ask, because the answer is always the same, but I’m that desperate to change the subject.
“He’s fine, been taking extra shifts at the warehouse, but that’s nothing new. He misses you, even if he doesn’t say it.”
“I miss you both too. I better get going, though, my lecture is about to start.”
“All right, call me soon. I love you, Morgan. Stay safe.”
“I love you too, Mom.”
***
Athens wasn’t built for the rain. The city floods, transforming streets into rivers and staircases into waterfalls. Even with a rain jacket, the pools of water soak through my shoes, and the bottoms of my pants get more and more drenched with every step I take toward the apartment.
Thoughts of dry clothes and a hot shower evaporate as I push the door open. For the first time in days, James is at the apartment when I return. She’s sprawled out on the couch, lying on her stomach while she works in one of her sketchbooks, and she flashes me a brilliant smile that makes my heart skip a beat. My hands dart to my hair in a fruitless attempt to get the damp curls into a presentable state.
“Hey, stranger,” she greets me, pulling her headphones out of her ears.
Grover gets up from his bed and comes to greet me as well, with a toy in his mouth and his tail wagging, and I’m struck with an overwhelming sense of rightness. It’s as if a piece of me I didn’t know I was missing returns, slotting itself back into the empty space in my heart.
“Hey,” I rasp, my voice thick with the unexpected wave of emotions. I clear my throat, pushing the feeling away, and walk over to stand behind her. “What are you working on?”
I glance at the sketchbook, but she slams it closed before I’m able to get more than a short glimpse of the graphite lines on the page.
“Nothing,” she says, her face growing pink.
“Nothing? Doesn’t seem like nothing,” I tease, and her blush deepens.
“It’s not done yet,” she says, sitting up and clutching the book to her chest.
“Fine,” I concede, “but I want to see it when you’re ready.”
“Okay.” She flashes me another small smile and tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “Did you get my note?”
“Which one,” I tease. James narrows her eyes into a mirth-filled glare. Her lips are turned down in a pout, which feels more petulant than forceful. I can’t hold back my laughter. She’s too cute when she’s trying to be intimidating.
“Yes, I got your note this morning.” I place my hand on her bare shoulder and give it a gentle squeeze. James stiffens under my touch for a moment before leaning into it, letting out a small hum of satisfaction as she does. My thumb traces a small circle over the curve of her arm, brushing against the yellowing marks Tanner left on her skin. Chills erupt across her sun-kissed skin at the contact. “I didn’t expect to see you here tonight, though.”
“Grover hates the rain.” She turns her whole body toward me and sits on her knees, facing the back of the couch.
My hand falls away, and I wish it could take those bruises with it. Her pupils dilate as she stares up at me, catching her bottom lip between her teeth, and the look shoots straight through me.
I am overwhelmed by the sensation ofJames. Her presence is palpable, an electric aura that magnetizes the air, drawing me to her. I take a step back out of sheer need; otherwise, I’ll lose myself to her pull.
“So?” she asks. Her tongue darts out, moistening her lips, and my eyes track its every movement.
“So, what?” My head is hazy, drunk off her.
“My note,” she says, but the words are meaningless to my addled mind. “Are we on for tomorrow? I haven’t gotten your response yet.”
“Oh, tomorrow…” I swallow deeply. “I’d love to if you’re still free.”
She beams at me, her smiles only adding fuel to the fire raging inside me. “I’m still free,” she says and then bites her lip again.
“We could move it to tonight if we’re both around,” I suggest, and her face falls.
“I actually have a video call date with Tanner tonight…” Her eyes drop to her fingers as she picks at a loose piece of fuzz on the sofa.
All of the building heat is doused in an instant, extinguished by the cold shock of her words. It’s a fight to keep the sneer off my face, and I have to bite the inside of my cheek to keep my expression neutral.
