Page 30 of A Roommate for Christmas
“Okay, so there’s pizza for one meal, pancakes and omelets with sausage for another, and spaghetti and tortilla chips.Plus, looks like I can make chocolate chip cookies to hold us over in between,” Paige said.
“I have some protein bars stashed in my room,” Carter chimed in.“I’ll throw them in the cupboard as another backup.”
Without giving it a second thought, Paige grabbed Carter’s bicep and squeezed.“You might want to eat one now.Your arm seems a bit weak,” she said.She wasn’t sure why she had done it—perhaps she was still groggy from her nap—but Carter’s muscle was rock solid and she had to force her hand back to her own pocket.
“Sorry.”She blushed.“That was so weird.”
She debated glancing back at his face, nervous that he would look appalled, but she took the risk.And there it was—her favorite smile had returned, curling up more on the right side and showcasing some of his picture-perfect teeth.
“Living here has been nothing short of interesting,” Carter said.“Any more fitness tips?”As the words came out of his mouth, he purposefully lifted his arms to the back of his head, displaying his biceps and lifting his shirt just enough to show off his lower abdominals.
Stop looking, Paige, she thought.He is a coffee-stealing, self-centered asshole, remember?
“Sorry, the first tip is complimentary.After that, I charge in caffeine, compliments, or cold hard cash.”Her quick reply struck a chord with Carter because he let out the type of laugh that comes from deep within.She had never heard him laugh before, but it was contagious enough to put a smile on her face.
“Okay,” Paige continued, “let’s get serious so we don’t wither away in here ...which meal do we make first?”
She opened up the refrigerator again to stare at the items.Carter stood behind her, and Paige could feel the warmth of his body at her back, contrasting the cool air coming from the fridge.Her heartbeat was racing, and she hoped he wasn’t able to hear the pounding in her chest.
It wasn’t until he pushed off the open doors that she realized she had been holding her breath.
“You choose,” he called over his shoulder nonchalantly, disappearing into his bedroom.
Chapter 11
Shelandedonpizza.
It was the easiest option, so she set the oven, sat down at the kitchen island, and checked the news.
It wasn’t looking good.
The snow wasn’t letting up, and there were photos sent in from all around the city with frozen car doors, icicles, and almost three feet of snow everywhere.The snowplows were having a hard time getting around, and what was the point when the snow kept falling?It was getting too risky for them to be out there.
There was a time in her life when the only thing she’d asked Santa for was snow.I guess Santa saved up all my childhood wishes for this moment.
She definitely wasn’t going to San Diego anytime soon.And with the state of things, it didn’t seem like she’d be going anywhere.No restaurants were open, and it seemed very few grocery stores were open.For now, she’d have to make whatever random items she had in the kitchen last.
She popped the pizza in the oven and opened up Instagram.All she saw in her feed was snow, as if the blizzard was taunting her.It seemed everyone in Chicago wanted to make sure the world remembered what three feet of snow looked like.
Without thinking, she started typing Chance’s name in the search bar.She wasn’t sure why she was torturing herself, but she chalked it up to the fact that it was exactly a year ago he admitted to sleeping with Diana.
She clicked on his story and saw the pair in matching Santa hats and ugly Christmas sweaters, cheersing mugs of hot chocolate.As much as Paige was over Chance, she’d always loved how much he got into the holiday spirit.He had always matched her and her family’s enthusiasm for Christmas, something she really missed, especially considering Carter’s attitude about it all.
As if on cue, she heard his voice behind her.“That is the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen.”
Startled, Paige quickly locked her phone before saying, “Has no one ever told you it’s rude to snoop?”
“Who’s in the photo?”
“What?”she replied.
“You were staring at that picture for a long time,” Carter said.“So, who’s in it?”
“Well, I’m not surprised you don’t recognize Santa when you see him, given you are the literal Grinch.”Paige hoped Carter would take the bait and drop it.
“Haha.You know avoiding the answer is only making this more interesting.Who is it?”he pressed, narrowing his eyes at her.
“Not that it is any of your business, but it’s my ex and his new girlfr—uh, fiancée.”
