Page 29 of Pucking My Grumpy Roommate
“Your friend from Arizona?” he asked, surprising me that he’d remembered.
“Yeah, she’s actually visiting Minneapolis this week for a conference. We’re meeting for drinks tonight.”
Austin nodded, backing toward the hallway. “Have fun. And congratulations again on your research. You deserve it.”
“Thanks,” I said softly. “For the congratulations. And the dance.”
He gave me a ghost of a smile before disappearing down the hallway. I flopped onto the couch, my heart still racing from our unexpected moment.
My phone buzzed with a text.
Angel
Still on for drinks at 7? Can’t wait to hear about life with Mr. Hockey Hottie!
I grinned, typing back:
You have no idea how much I have to tell you.
“No. Fucking. Way.” Angel’s jaw dropped as she stared at me across our high-top table. “Your mysterious sexting partner and your grumpy hockey roommate are the same person?”
I nodded, taking a large gulp of my cocktail. We were at a trendy bar downtown, the kind of place with exposed brick walls and drinks with names like “Intellectual Property” and “Paradigm Shift.”
“You can’t make this shit up,” I sighed. “Like, what are the actual odds? I did the math—it’s something like one in several million.”
“Forget the math,” Angel waved dismissively. “This is fate, Kate. The universe literally connected your phones before connecting your bodies.”
I choked on my drink. “Angel!”
“What? Don’t tell me you haven’t thought about it.” She leaned forward conspiratorially. “You’ve already had virtual sex. Real sex is the logical next step.”
“It wasn’t virtual sex,” I protested weakly. “It was just...suggestive texting.”
Angel raised an eyebrow. “You described in detail what you wanted him to do with his tongue. That’s virtual sex, sweetie.”
My face felt like it was on fire. “Okay, fine. But that was before I knew who he was.”
“And now that you do know? Has it made those thoughts go away?” She studied me over the rim of her glass. “Or made them more vivid?”
I groaned, dropping my head to the table. “More vivid. Definitely more vivid.”
“I knew it!” Angel crowed triumphantly.
“What am I supposed to do?” I lifted my head to look at her pleadingly. “I’m living in his apartment. I need this housing arrangement to work so I can focus on my fellowship. Jumping his bones might complicate things.”
“Or simplify them,” Angel countered. “Sexual tension is exhausting, Kate. Might be more productive to just get it out of your system.”
I took another sip of my drink, letting the alcohol warm my veins. “It’s not that simple. We’re completely different people. He’s so...controlled. Everything in his life has a place, a purpose, a system. You should see his kitchen, Angel. The man has a special container just for protein powder scoops.”
“And you’re a beautiful disaster who names your bacteria strains after characters from The Office,” Angel finished with a smile. “Opposites attract, honey.”
“For hookups, maybe. Not for anything real.” I traced the condensation on my glass, surprised by the direction of my thoughts. “And I think...I might want something real with him.”
Angel’s expression softened. “Tell me more.”
I struggled to put it into words. “When we were texting, before we knew who each other was, it was the most honest connection I’ve had with someone in a long time. He was funny and thoughtful and vulnerable in ways he never is inperson. But now I’ve seen glimpses of that person in the real Austin too. Like today, when he danced with me...”
“He danced with you?” Angel’s eyes widened.
