Page 25 of Damn Roommate

“Without James?” I wonder.

It’s rare that he’s not there. Usually, my parents are always hanging out with my brother’s friends’ parents. They met in college and never moved. It’s the reason why the guys have been inseparable since they were young.

“He’s in New York, for the company he’s supposed to open next fall.”

“And you’re doing something without Natalie and Tom? Is the clan on the outs?”

“Don’t be silly,” my father says. “They’re not in Boston this weekend.”

“I know, I was joking!” Leo had told us that they were going tohis grandparents.

My dad rolls his eyes and I sink further into the deckchair, watching the sun’s rays on the freshly cut grass in the yard. I close my eyes for a second as my phone vibrates in the pocket of my pajamas. I pick it up and smile when I see the name appear on the screen. Corey.

[I won’t be able to come with

you to the game next week!

I thought I would end

my writing in geopolitics,

but I’m running out of information.

I will have to go

to the library…

You’re not too mad at me?]

A hint of disappointment clogs my throat. I hardly saw Corey all week and it doesn’t look any better. Since we officially got together, in front of my building, we haven’t had the opportunity to see each other more than when we ran into each other at college. His studies seem to be taking up a lot of his time and I’m trying my best not to be the pain-in-the-ass girlfriend who insists on seeing him. I was looking forward to driving with him to New Hampshire for the guys’ game on Monday night. It’s only an hour and fifteen minutes from Boston, and even if the girls were going to be there, we could have spent some time together. Seeing each other again and not just chatting on the phone or meeting on the sly. I admit that when I choose to date him, I wasn’t expecting the distance.

[Don’t worry, it’ll be

For another time :)]

[I promise, I’ll make it up to you!

Wednesday night at my place?

I’ll be free once

I have this damn paper written.

It’ll just be the two of us

and you can even

sleep at my place…]

I look up at my parents for a second, checking that the blush that has warmed my cheeks has gone unnoticed. My heart is pounding like crazy.

[With pleasure!]

I put my phone away, enjoying the tingles in my stomach, and swallow my coffee in one gulp.

“I’m going to shower.”

I leave the yard and rush upstairs. Usually, I would have stayed in my pajamas all day, my hair greasy, and I would have stayed on my bed reading a book. Except that this lunchtime we’re not alone. Even though we live together, and Nolan is used to seeing me in a much worse state, the prospect of him making a comment on my outfit today horrifies me to no end. Especially because he spent several nights at his girlfriend’s house, and I haven’t seen him since he drove me back to the apartment. When I officially metHarriet.I would have loved to hate her, to find her flaws, something to justify my animosity. But she’s adorable, beautiful, funny, interesting, and we monopolized the conversation during thewholedrive. This girl could have been a friend, if she wasn’t dating the guy I’m in love with.

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