Page 28 of Always a Roommate
I went to the racks of tourist clothing, trying to find something that didn’t look too ridiculous.
I was still looking when Rae came out of the back wearing a pair of cotton shorts with the words “Gulf City Beach Bum” on one leg and a simple V-neck Gulf City t-shirt. Her hair was tied into a wet bun, and she’d scrubbed the running makeup from her face.
She looked… casual. Different. Younger. I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen her without makeup and nice clothes before.
A scowl flashed across her face when she caught me looking. “Don’t say anything.”
I turned away, not wanting her to see what I really thought on my face. She was beautiful. Soft curves, wild hair and all. She hid her looks behind a mask of powders and clothing that stole the attention.
How had I never noticed?
I breathed in deeply, pulling a shirt from the rack after only looking at the size. I didn’t realize my mistake until I was in the bathroom changing. It was a Hawaiian shirt with blindingly bright colors. Definitely what I’d see on a tourist.
The only men’s shorts I’d found were flower-print board shorts, so I quickly pulled them on, wanting to be dry more than fashionable. I almost laughed at the thought. I’d never been a fashion guru, living mostly in plaid shirts and jeans.
Johnny was the nice dresser in the family.
Steeling myself for the comments I knew were coming, I left the bathroom. A crash of thunder made me jump, and I almost didn’t notice the snickering.
Both of them.
Rae leaned against Tanner’s legs as if she belonged there, but her grin was directed at me.
“Looking good, Mr. Kelly.” She winked.
My entire face heated. “It’s just nice to be dry,” I grumbled. I’d said I hated that Rae wouldn’t talk to me, that she avoided me, but now I didn’t know how to take her change, our thawing.
She gestured to a rack of chips behind me. “Grab a snack and have a seat.”
Tanner pinched her arm. “Are we just going to eat everything I have in here to sell?”
“Yes.” She shrugged. “It’s a hurricane, Tanner. We’re in a shop on the beach that has seen better days. We could die tonight.”
“We’re not going to die.” Tanner rolled his eyes.
I decided against the chips. My stomach couldn’t handle much right now as I listened to the howling outside. It sounded like we were stuck right in the middle of a wind tunnel. It was only a matter of time before the tide reached all the way to our door.
Lowering myself to the ground across from them, I tried to keep the apprehension from my voice. “So, who wants to call Mom and tell her we’re not going to make it to her?”
Rae sat up and patted Tanner’s hand. “Sounds like the perfect job for Tanner.”
Tanner’s eyes widened. “My phone is dead.”
She smiled sweetly. “It’s a good thing I have mine then.” Holding out her hand, she waited for him to take it.
Tanner grumbled and stood, walking a few paces away to make the call.
Rae leaned against the counter, looking as relaxed as I’d ever seen her, which was strange considering we were waiting for a hurricane to hit.
I swallowed, extremely aware of my gaze traveling over her from the hollow of her neck to her full thighs.
She didn’t seem to notice as her eyes drifted up. “How strong do you think this roof is?” Her voice held a note of curiosity, nothing more. It was like she was talking about the weather. But then, I guessed she was.
“Strong enough.” I hoped.
We both watched Tanner grow more agitated on the phone, and I knew exactly what was happening. Mom was going into her freak-out mode, where nothing in her path was spared. We joked and called it Hurricane Mom, but that wasn’t really funny right now.
Finally, Tanner hung up. When he walked back to us, he threw Rae’s phone into her lap. “You owe me.”
