Free The Roommate by Carla Krae Page A

you wouldn’t enjoy a Ferrari?”
    “A Ferrari is never practical.”
    “Unless you want traffic to part for you in Italy.”
    “You can be a maddening woman.”
    “Thank you.”   Light turned green and I continued home.   “You like it.”
    “I do not like to bicker.”
    “Then don’t go along with it.”   I grinned.
    He frowned.   “Like I said—maddening.”
    “Isn’t life better with a little spice?”
    He didn’t have an answer to that and I felt like I won.
    Surprised me when he didn’t retreat to his room right away, though.   Granted, it wasn’t late, but still.   Maybe I was getting somewhere.
    “Thank you for the movie,” he said, hanging up his coat.   I passed him mine as well.
    “You’re welcome.”   I sat on the sofa and kicked off my shoes.   “We should probably eat some real food, huh?”
    Surprise came over his face.   “You tricked me into eating popcorn and ice cream for dinner.”
    “Did I?”   Can’t you see my halo?
    “Naughty Jess.”   Oh God, say that again.   “What will I do with you?” he sighed.
    Don’t answer, don’t answer!   That was a dangerous question, especially when he didn’t have a clue.   “We can order pizza.”
    “Or a nice healthy salad.”
    “Eww.”
    “You’ve had salad before.”
    “Because it came with my meal. Making dinner of salad? You’re crazy.”
    “Some kale, some quinoa, a little grilled chicken…”
    “Now you’re just torturing me, Ricky.”
    “Would I?”
    I laughed.   Well played.   Turnabout was fair and all that.   “Friday is almost always pizza night. Please?”   I pouted.
    He swallowed and looked away from me, turning to the fridge.   Ha!  
    I’d found a weakness.   With great power came great responsibility, though.   I couldn’t throw the pout and doe eyes at him all the time or he’d grow immune to it.   Learned that one with my father as a kid.
    “Fine. But no extra cheese and I’m picking healthy toppings.”
    “Deal!”
    The number for Dominos was on a magnet on the fridge.   He called in the order.   “After tonight, I’m tempted to drag you to the gym in the morning.”
    “You wouldn’t dare.”
    “Bright and early.”
    “If you wake me early on a weekend I will throw something at you.”
    “We’ll see.”
    This could practically be called…playful.   Had I finally earned a glimpse into the real Patrick?   It made that schoolgirl part of me giddy.
    While we waited for delivery, I checked e-mail.   Sure enough, one from Ros .
    “Your sister’s having a going-away party.”
    “What?”
    “She got a promotion and a transfer. She’s leaving.”
    “When?”
    “The party is tomorrow.”
    “No, when—”
    “Doesn’t say. The e-mail is an e- vite for the party.”   I closed it.   “You probably have one, too.”
    Ros moving away from L.A. and this is how she tells me—a generic party invite that went out to all her friends.   It stung.   Sure, there could be a good explanation, but either way, I was losing my best friend.   I knew Ros .   We lasted through going to different colleges because I made the effort.   She was always focused on the here and now.
    “I’m sorry, Jess.”   Patrick had sat next to me and I hadn’t noticed.   “I know this isn’t news you wanted.”
    “It’s fine.”   Put on my bravest smile.   “I’m happy for her. She’s worked hard for this.”
    His hand covered mine.   “Hey, you don’t have to pretend. Not here.”
    “Excuse me. I need to— ”   I escaped to my bathroom.
    Let a couple tears run down my face, then splashed them away with water.   Used the toilet just for an excuse to come back here.   A cleansing breath, and composure.
    Patrick was at the door paying the kid.   I grabbed my funniest movie and put it in the Blu -Ray player.   The sound of the menu caught his attention and I saw understanding on his face.
    He was letting it go.
    I loved him for that.
    Shit .
    “Got everything you