Page 2 of Always a Roommate
“Honestly, I don’t get why you two are always so at odds.”
The truth was, I didn’t understand it either. It was like I couldn’t be around him without making a biting remark. And he chose to ignore me most of the time.
Ah, a partnership made in heaven. “Not that I’m not happy to hear from you, but is there a reason you’re calling, Finny?”
“Just checking in.”
Now, it was my turn to roll my eyes. She checked in almost every morning, as if still feeling guilty for moving out, for leaving me. I was happy for her, and I adored Knox, the man she’d left me for. The two of them were perfect for each other, and if anyone deserved perfect, it was that girl. She’d been through a lot.
“Well, you don’t need to worry about me.” I shrugged, even though she couldn’t see me. “I’m good. Great.”
“Sure you are.”
I hated that I couldn’t make her believe me. “Well, I need to finish getting ready. Some of us have rock stars to meet.”
“Give him a giant kiss for me.”
“Yes,” I deadpanned. “While I’m sitting there with his fiancée. I kiss all my clients.”
“At least find some excuse to touch his bicep.”
“No.”
“Just—”
“Bye, love.” I hung up before she could say anything else. My quiet best friend was different these days, and I knew why. She was happy.
It was time for me to be happy too.
And getting this client would be a start.
I fluffed up my hair and sprayed a final layer of hairspray—one can never have too much. Everything was as close to perfection as I could get it. My clothes, my makeup, my hair. And I thrived on perfection.
Sliding my purse over my arm, I walked to the door and pulled it open a crack, peeking out into the hall. I could see the living room from here but not the kitchen.
No sign of Shane. Maybe it was my lucky day and I could slip out without seeing him.
I shut my bedroom door behind me and walked quickly through the house, stopping when I reached the island that separated the kitchen from the living room.
Shane stood in front of the stove, his eyes locked on me. He didn’t move, didn’t make a sound, but silence wasn’t anything new with him.
I hated how good he looked in his slacks and plaid button-down. Think of something else, Rae. “You’re hot.” Oh my gosh, not that. My cheeks heated.
Shane’s brow furrowed, and he looked away.
“I didn’t mean you’re hot.” I could have slapped myself. “Just that you’re going to be hot. It’s going to be a hot day. Stop saying hot, Rae.” The last bit was just for myself.
The summer heat had lasted further into the fall this year than most. It was October, and still, the sun beat down on us.
Shane cleared his throat. “I think I know how to dress myself.” Was I imagining the sarcasm in his voice? “But thanks for the concern.”
“Oh, I’m not.” I turned away from him, putting extra snip in my tone. “Concerned about you. Just your students, who’d have to deal with you if you were grumpy and hot.”
I couldn’t imagine being in Shane’s history class. If he was a jerk to people outside of school, surely his students got the worst of it.
“I’m off to watch my career rocket to the stars.” I wasn’t sure why I did it, why I felt the need to tell Shane what a huge day this was for me. Maybe I wanted him to be jealous. Or maybe that teenage girl inside of me still wanted him to be proud.
Instead, he was nothing.
