Page 99 of Roommating

“He has a stable job and a furnished apartment. What if he’s happy? I don’t want to ruin that for him.” I sigh dejectedly. “I need a sign telling me what to do!”

A patron approaches and clears his throat to get our attention. “Excuse me.”

I do a double take and break into a huge grin. It’s Chloe’s grandpa! And he looks so dapper in a gray pin-striped suit with a red-and-white gingham tie and matching pocket square. This time he left the umbrella at home. “Nice to see you again! How can I assist you?”

“You and that handsome fellow helped me with my granddaughter a few months ago. She’s visiting again and I was hoping for another recommendation. We really bonded overThe Selection.” He beams.

“I’ll leave you to it then.” Gabe nods at the man, gives me a “to be continued” look, and walks off.

“I’d be happy to help you!” I walk him over to the YA sectionand search the shelves for more YA dystopian fiction. The Divergent trilogy is out, so I recommendThe Dividing Skyby Jill Tew, a more recent addition to the subgenre that I thoroughly enjoyed. The entire time, I think about how during our first meeting with Chloe’s grandpa, he assumed Adam and I were a couple and Adam didn’t correct him. It’s because of him that we buddy-readThe Hunger Games. For a moment I wonder ifthisis the sign I was asking for. But I dismiss it. There’s no such thing as signs!

I check him out and wish him good luck with Chloe. Then I turn to Gabe sitting next to me… on a different chair… and grin. “Helping people bond through reading is one of the reasons I became a librarian.”

Gabe snorts. “When you’re done being cheesy, want to have lunch with me and Lane?”

“Sure!”

“We’re going to Citizens of Gramercy.”

My mouth opens and closes.

Worry lines appear on Gabe’s forehead. “What? Is it bad? I’ve never been, but my date this weekend recommended it.”

Under normal circumstances, I’d interrogate him about his date, but I’m too busy having a minor inner meltdown. Adam took me to Citizens of Gramercy to thank me for getting him the page job at the library. Could it be? I shake my head. Just a coincidence.

“I’ve lost you. Are you thinking about Adam again?”

“No.”Bold-faced lie.“I’m in. The food is great there.”

Lane joins us. “Ready?”

Gabe checks his watch. “As soon as my coverage gets here.”

While he waits for one of the other assistants to cover the desk, I use the bathroom. On my way back, I toss the paper towel I used to open the bathroom door in the trash. I’m about to walk awaywhen my eyes lock on a small two-tone orange bag lying at the top of the heap. I swallow hard.It can’t be.I take a closer look, and it can be, in fact it is, an empty bag of Cheetos, still dusted with crumbs.

My legs wobble. I breathe in and out with purpose to center myself. I don’t have time to freak out about yet another “coincidental” Adam-adjacent occurrence less than an hour after asking the universe for a sign. Gabe and Lane are waiting for me. Besides, Cheetos are a very popular snack. I do a quick check with Google on my phone, delaying myself even further, where it is confirmed that Cheetos are the top-ranked cheese snack in the United States. I’m certain it’s a fluke.

I’m actually not certain at all, but a hangry Gabe is scary. My phone pings with a text message proving my point.

Gabe:Leaving in 5, 4, 3…

I quicken my step and meet them at the entrance with a second to spare. When we arrive at the restaurant a few minutes later, I hold my breath as we pass Adam’s and my stools at the counter and sit at a table underneath the STAY GORGEOUS,GRAMERCYsign.

“I think I want a burger,” Lane says.

Gabe scrunches his face. “This place is known for its authentic Australian brekky and you’re gonna have a burger?”

“Don’t burger-shame me,” Lane says.

A waiter drops off the menus. “Hi, I’m Adam and I’ll be your server today.”

I gasp. My head falls back and I shake my palms in the air. “Message received, Universe. Message received!”

Lane and Gabe stop bickering to gawk at me.

“I’ll give you a few minutes,” the waiter says to Gabe and Lane while blatantly avoiding eye contact with the weirdo at the table.

“I’m worried about you, Sabrina,” Gabe says.

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