Page 110 of Roommate
We inch closer, neither of us wanting to break the moment. But I need to kiss him so badly. So I do it. I lean in and take his mouth with mine. He wraps his arm around me and pulls me in, returning my kiss with the same urgency that’s driving mine.
And when Rod’s alarm goes off an hour later, we’re tangled up together, mouths swollen from kisses and hearts full.
Kieran
The next morning is just as awkward and weird as I suspected it would be.
When I show up at the coffee shop in time for my shift, Zara and Audrey are there. They both seem to pounce on me. “Kieran! You didn’t have to come in today,” Zara cries.
“Sit, sit,” Audrey says, waving me toward a table.
“Hey, I’m fine,” I insist. “And I quit my job at the ad agency yesterday, so I wasn’t about to lose these hours. I’ll probably have to find another afternoon job now.”
“Don’t worry about any of that yet,” Zara says. “How’s your dad?”
“According to my text messages, he slept all night. I’ll go see him later.”
Roderick emerges from behind the counter to set a plate down in front of me. I look down to find a fresh bagel with cream cheese and smoked salmon. He gives me a wink and heads back to the counter without a word.
Audrey and Zara watch me with big eyes.
“What?” I ask, uncomfortable with their attention.
“Nothing,” they chorus.
“Uh-huh,” I grunt. “Go on. Ask your questions.”
Audrey puts on her best who me face. “I’m not nosy.”
“You are the nosiest person I’ve ever met,” I counter.
“Well, I try to rein it in,” she says with a sniff. “But Zara said you kissed Roderick right in front of her. And I missed the whole thing.”
“What if Zara was just putting you on?” Roderick suggests from behind the espresso machine.
“Just answer yes or no,” Audrey says. “Is he really your boyfriend? I’m having a little trouble believing it.”
I never wanted to be the center of attention, but now that I am, I might as well have some fun with it. “What would you say if I told you that Griffin already knows the answer?”
“No.” Audrey’s eyes widen again. “Before me? How is that even possible?”
“Well…” That’s when my bravado runs out. Because I really don’t want to explain that super-awkward moment from Christmas morning. “Roddy?” I call. “Help!”
“Aw, you call him Roddy!” Audrey squeals. “That is the cutest thing ever.”
“So do you!” I point out.
“It’s more adorable when you do it. Say it again. Wait, let me get a video.” She unlocks her phone.
“No!” I yelp.
Laughing, Roderick reappears. He sets an espresso next to my bagel plate. “What’s the problem?”
“Come here a second, please. Closer,” I beckon. Since I’m not a fan of explaining my feelings, this just seems easier. When he’s near enough, I grab him by the T-shirt and pull him down for a lip touch. “Thank you for the bagel and the coffee.”
“Anytime.” Smiling, he gives my shoulder a squeeze before disappearing into the kitchen.
“Oh man,” Audrey says with a dreamy sigh. “I ship it.”
