Page 47 of My Three Roommates

Cody gives me a quizzical look. “Do you two know each other?”

“Very well,” Nadine says. “We were sorority sisters at NYU. We get together often, or at least we normally do. Kenna’s missed our last few lounge nights.”

She turns her gaze onto me. “I guess you’ve been busy. I had no idea that Cody’s secret girlfriend was you.”

I can’t speak. The moment drags out and I’m still at a loss for words. Cody hands me a drink and I take a long sip to try and cover up my turmoil. What the hell can I say?

“Nadine,” someone calls out. “We need you.”

“I have to go. No rest for the social coordinator at the event, right?” she says. “It’s nice to finally see you, Kenna. Let’s catch up later tonight.”

She gives a fake laugh before she goes off.

“What was that about?” Cody asks. “I had no idea you knew Nadine.”

“We’re very good friends. We all get together regularly. Nadine’s the one who pretty much runs our group chats. Honestly I’ve been ignoring the app lately. I remember something about Nadine getting a new job last time I checked in, but I didn’t see the name of her new company. I had no idea she’s working in the same office as you are.”

“She started very recently,” Cody says. “I barely know her, but she jumped right into the whole planning, social coordinating thing. So she probably already knows more people at the office than I do.”

“That sounds like Nadine. She’s always been the organizer. That’s why she’s so upset that I don’t attend every single get-together that she plans for our friend group.” I take another long swallow of my drink, panic rising. “This is terrible.”

“What’s the big deal?” Cody asks. “You can go to her next thing, right? Make it up to her.”

“That’s not it.” The crowd around us is growing and I’m getting uncomfortable. I tug on Cody’s hand, pulling him over to the side of the room.

“We’re really good friends, Cody,” I tell him urgently, lowering my voice. “She knows Brad, she knows he and I moved in together. All of my girlfriends do.” I polish off my drink miserably. “Here am I with you, acting like we’re a couple. Nadine’s going to think I’m cheating on Brad, and doing it right out in the open.”

“Yeah, okay. That’s no good.” He thinks for a moment. “I can tell her that you’re just here with me as a friend.”

I shake my head miserably. “You’ve been introducing me all over the place as your girlfriend. If everyone thinks you were lying about us, how would that go down at your office? They probably wouldn’t believe you anyway. We haven’t been holding back on the PDA either. Everybody’s seen us acting like a couple.”

I can’t believe she’s here. My friends are never going to understand. Knowing Nadine, she’s already texted everyone.

CHAPTER 27 KENNA

I KEEP A sharp eye out for Nadine to make sure I avoid her. “I know she’s told all of our friends by now,” I lament.

“Don’t let it get to you,” Cody reassures me. “We’ll find a way to handle it later. You were enjoying yourself so much, Kenna. I don’t want this to ruin your night.”

“You’re right.” I force a smile. “It’s a fantastic evening, and it’s your party. I don’t want to spoil it.”

“All I care about is seeing you have fun. You shouldn’t let her get in the way of that. I know it’s not easy, but let’s try. C’mon, everyone’s dancing. Let’s go.”

Cody’s not that big on dancing so I love that he’s offering. Among the pulsating beats and the bouncing crowd, it’s easy to forget. I lose myself in the rhythm and in Cody’s company. I love dancing. I can never get enough of it. I haven’t been to a single club since I left the city so this is perfect, even if we’re only on a dance floor in a hotel ballroom. It doesn’t hurt that Cody knows exactly how to distract me.

His grace is natural and confident as he rests one hand on the curve of my waist. His other hand presses firmly into the small of my back. His touch sends shivers down my spine as his leg moves between mine.

I can’t help but grind against him, just a little but it’s enough. Cody’s eyes glitter in that way they do right before he’s about to carry me off to the bedroom. My heart pumps in time with the beat of the loud music.

I know we should be backing off and hiding our chemistry. I can’t make myself do it. At least Cody’s trying to be discreet but the crowd forces us close together. All I can do is be glad that there’s no way Nadine can see us when we’re shielded by everyone else.

The same thought must’ve occurred to Cody. He lets his fingers trail along the bare skin of my arm in a way that makes my breath catch. He leans in close, his lips grazing my ear, murmuring about how much he’d like for us to be alone and what he’d be doing if we were.

I try to push him away playfully, but I barely manage to put inches between us. He winks at me and when the song ends, so does our moment.

My blush doesn’t. We don’t leave the dance floor until the night ends, which is all too soon.

Reality bites me when everyone disperses and I have to get back on the lookout for Nadine once again.

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