Page 34 of A Roommate for Christmas
He maintained eye contact as he reached over the counter again to grab two more cookies.He took a couple of steps out of the kitchen and stopped, but instead of turning around and rejoining her in the kitchen, he kept walking straight into his room and closed the door.
Paige felt a twinge of disappointment that Carter didn’t stick around.She couldn’t believe how easy it was to hang out with him now that he had let his walls down.
Why do I feel like I miss talking to him already?Paige thought to herself.This is crazy, right?
She replayed the last few minutes over and over in her head while she moved all the cookies into plastic containers and cleaned the last of the day’s dishes.
I should have just told him I was enjoying hanging out with him.It’s not like it wasthatforward.Plus, I don’t think I’m imagining the look that was on his face.He genuinely seemed hurt that I wasn’t glad to spend time with him.When he comes back out again I think I’m going to tell him.
She made a hot chocolate and took her usual position on the couch and put on one of the Netflix Christmas movies she hadn’t gotten around to yet, keeping her peripheral vision on Carter’s room in case he came back out.
***
Paige was already halfway through a second movie when the door to Carter’s room opened.She paused and turned toward the kitchen.
“Hey, Car—” she started before quickly noticing the over-the-ear headphones he was wearing, his music loud enough even she could hear it.He kept his back to her as he pulled out leftover pizza slices from the refrigerator, and then he didn’t look her way as he took them—still cold—back to his room.
And just like that, she thought,the old Carter is back.
Paige rolled her eyes and resumed the movie, willing herself to ignore the ache building up in her chest.
Chapter 12
Thecitylookedthesame the next morning.There was still at least three feet of powder on the ground, with snow continuing to flurry.It was hard for Paige to see down the street from her bedroom window.
She checked the airline app and saw exactly what she expected—CANCELLED.
Looks like I have another day locked up withhim.
She slept terribly.As much as she hated to admit it to herself, she had developed a big crush on Carter.Sure, she thought he was handsome from the day she laid eyes on him in Starbucks, but there was something about their interactions yesterday that had her heart in a full-on tailspin.And Carter blatantly ignoring her at the end of the night not only hurt, but it re-solidified her initial reasons for hating him.
Hmm, that sounds so strange!And you’re SURE there was no little wave or smile?
Nadia’s text read.
Paige had texted Nadia the full synopsis of her day before she had gone to bed.
I’m positive.It was like the time we spent actually hanging out never even happened.I’m almost starting to wonder if I dreamt it all?
I’m sure there is a reason.I know he hasn’t been the warmest roommate, but I just can’t believe he was purposely icing you out.
Nadia, why are you constantly Team Carter?You are ALWAYS defending him.
I’m not team Carter, Paige.I’m just trying to give him the benefit of the doubt, that’s all.Based on what you told me about yesterday, it sounds like there’s a really good guy in there.Don’t write him off just yet.
Paige heard some rattling coming from the kitchen.
Well, I think I hear him in the kitchen.I guess I’ll just go out there and see what his reaction is.But if he ignores me again, I swear I’m gonna kick him out in the cold ...
Haha, well, I have a good feeling you’ll be snuggling together for warmth soon ;)
Paige grabbed the Christmas sweater that was lying on the chair in her room, pulled it on over her T-shirt, and opened her bedroom door to the smell of pancakes and coffee.
“Morning, roomie,” Carter said with a smile.“I thought I heard your water running so I figured I’d get started on breakfast ...well,”—he looked at the clock—“brunch.”
Paige immediately noticed that his black T-shirt had dust from the pancake mix on the front, which somehow made him look even hotter.He flicked his head to get a runaway strand of his hair away from his eyes as he flipped over the pancake he had on the pan.It was the perfect golden color.
She was too shocked to say anything.
