Page 38 of My Three Roommates

“Yeah, it really did. That situation made me realize I need to be a lot more careful at work. That’s why I don’t want to come out in any way at this job. I don’t love it, but I need it. I didn’t have any other options. It was the only offer I had at the time. It’s not like the economy is booming, no matter what people like to say. I really need this job. As much as I hate hiding anything, I have to.”

“So that’s why you told them about Kenna and not us.”

“Yeah, but that’s not the whole story.” Cody won’t meet my eyes. That’s so unlike the in-your-face guy I’m used to. “The thing is, I brought up Kenna right from the beginning. Long before anything had happened between any of us. I wanted to start out with everyone believing I had a girlfriend, so there wouldn’t ever be any questions.”

I don’t know how I feel about that. “Is it because you had a crush on her for a long time?”

“I don’t mean for it to be creepy. You know I always liked Kenna. When it came up at work, I was cornered by a few coworkers and they all wanted to know if I had a girlfriend. I had to make something up in the moment and Kenna’s name was the first one that came to mind. That was the reason I mentioned to her.” He finally catches my eye. “Does that bother you?”

“A little,” I admit. "We agreed to be honest and upfront with each other if anything bothered us. I’m trying to be true to that because it’s important to Kenna. And she’s right. That’s how we can make this situation with the four of us work out.”

“Okay.” Cody goes silent. I guess he doesn’t know what to say either.

“It makes me wonder,” I say. “What would you have done if the four of us hadn’t gotten together?”

He frowns. “What do you mean? Done about what?”

“Your feelings for Kenna. Would you have made a move on her? Would you have done that, even though you knew she and I were moving in together?”

“No way.” Cody answers immediately, shaking his head vigorously. “Honestly I was wanting to make a move, but not since you two got together. I was planning on saying something to her, but then she met you. I could tell right away that you were different from any of the other guys she’s been involved with. There was something there that I’d never seen before in her. The way she acted so happy when she told me about you, it was so different from how she was with any other random guy like she usually went out with. I could always tell those ones would never last. It was always different with you. As much as I wanted to tell her how I felt, I wouldn’t want to get in the way of her happiness. Even if it wasn’t with me. So, no. I would never have done a thing. Not for as long as you guys were together, which I figured would be for quite some time.”

I don’t know whether or not to believe him. As his words sink in, it occurs to me that I’ve never had a serious conversation with Cody about anything. Now here he is, pouring his heart out to me.

He’s waiting for my reaction like he really cares about what I think. Everything about him screams sincerity. It dawns on me that he really is as invested in this new relationship as I am. I didn’t think I had doubts about any of us, but I guess I did.

“I believe you,” I say slowly. “Can I trust you?”

His deep blue eyes hold onto mine. “Yes,” he says simply.

That’s all it takes. I believe him.

“I’m not quite used to this whole foursome thing and how it’s supposed to work,” I say.

“It can work however we want it,” he reassures me.

“Yeah, yeah, I know that part.” I clear my throat. “We can do whatever we want, but I guess I don’t always know how to feel about it.”

“Make

CHAPTER 22 CODY

“WHAT’S GOING ON?” Kenna asks when I join her in the kitchen. “You’re all tense.”

I don’t know how to answer her. I’ve been planning to talk to her since yesterday but, I decided to leave it until after we have a drink. Or several.

I dodge her question. “Are you making dinner?”

“I was going to, but we barely have any food left. I think we need to stock up a lot more on weekends. it’s only Thursday and we’re running out of everything. Should we go out?” Kenna asks with a hint of hope in her voice.

I’m too on edge to deal with a restaurant. “Let’s order in, if you can stand getting delivery again.”

Her eyes widen. “I don’t care, but since when would you rather stay in then go out? Even to a local restaurant?”

Kenna puts her hand on my forehead. “Are you sick? Do you have a fever? You must be unwell. Should I take you to emergency?”

She’s joking but her expression turns sober when I don’t respond. “What’s up with you, Cody? You look way too serious. Now I’m actually worried.”

I shake my head. “All good. There’s something I need to talk to you about before we figure out dinner. Can we talk?”

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