Page 34 of The Reluctant Roommate

“You spend a lot of time alone.” Heidi held up her hands. “That’s not a criticism, just an observation. You haven’t had any friends around, and you don’t go to the office much. I’m more extroverted than you, I think, and don’t want to live like a hermit. I promised no parties or wild times, no hookups coming home with me—not that there’s been any of those since I moved to Denver. You need the option of space and alone time; I need the option of time with others.”

“Are you going all Psychology 101 on me?” Morgan’s eyes, wide, startled, suggested Heidi’s words were unwelcome.

“Maybe. I’m sorry—that was the wrong thing to say. I’m not judging you; I’m just trying to point out that I want to feel I can bring friends back here.”

Morgan was silent. She rested the spoon on the counter and took a sip of coffee.

“Are you asking me to move out? We didn’t set a time frame for that, but if it’s okay with you, I’d like—”

“No! That’s not what I want. I thought you were wanting your own place.” A shoulder lifted. “Guess I was projecting my wants on you.”

“I’d like to stay. I like the area. I love your house. I like living with you. But if you’re not comfortable with me, then maybe I should go.” Something didn’t add up in this conversation, and it was the anxiety pouring off Morgan in waves.

“You’re good to be around, Heidi. I’d really like you to stay.” She turned the mug in her hands. “I know I’m not the easiest person to be around, and I realize you’re trying hard. I hope we can keep this going.”

“Then we will.” Relief trickled through Heidi. “I’ll try even harder to be less messy. Please tell me if there’s anything you can’t stand.”

Morgan nodded. “Then it looks like you’re staying. I’ll give you my bank details so you can transfer rent directly. We should do a lease too. Does six months work for you?”

“Perfect.” In six months, who knew what would be happening? She looked at Morgan over the rim of her mug. “Can I ask you something?”

Morgan hesitated. “Sure. Is it something about the lease?”

“Not exactly. I’m just wondering why you want a housemate in the first place. You’ve got a lovely place, a great job, and from what you’ve said, you’d prefer to live alone. So why do you even want me here?”

A shimmer of moisture gleamed in Morgan’s eyes. “Fair question. But…please, I can’t answer that right now. It’s personal.”

“I’m sorry for asking. Of course you don’t have to answer.”

Morgan swallowed. “I’ll…I’ll download a lease document that we can both sign. For what it’s worth, I’m happy you’re staying, Heidi.”

Warmth stole through her. After Serena, after unappreciative Robert, it was good to be wanted, even as a not-the-worst housemate. “Thanks. I’m happy I’m staying too.” She flung her arms wide and stepped into Morgan’s space, wrapping her armsaround her shoulders and pressing a swift kiss onto her cheek. The warmth of her body, the feel of her skin, made her pause. As did the unmistakable stiffening in Morgan’s shoulders. She released her and looked down. What she’d thought was body warmth was warm coffee from the mug Morgan still held. “Oh shit.”

Morgan stared at her pale-blue shirt, now with a spreading brown stain. Her gaze met Heidi’s, and her lips twitched. In anger or amusement? Heidi couldn’t tell.

“I’ll wash that for you. Quick, take it off so I can soak it.”

“Yours too.” Morgan pointed at the stain on Heidi’s T-shirt.

“Double shit.” Heidi stripped off her T-shirt and left it on the counter, then hurried to where she’d abandoned her sweatshirt on the couch earlier. Her bra was wet too. With her back to the kitchen, she removed her bra and pulled on the sweatshirt. When she looked up, her gaze collided through the window with the mailman’s, his hand outstretched, frozen in the act of putting junk mail in their letter box.

Heidi laughed. She mouthed, “Sorry” to the astonished mailman and returned to the kitchen. Morgan was wrapped in her waterproof jacket that had been hanging by the back door.

“I’ve accidentally flashed my boobs to the mailman.” The laughter bubbled out of her. “I’m not sure if he’ll skip our house from now on or if we’ll get extra deliveries.”

Morgan’s lips quirked. “The latter, I think. If he’d seen my boobs, it might be different.”

The laughter died. Morgan’s boobs would be delicious; Heidi was sure of that. They’d be small and perfectly formed, pale and soft-skinned, and—

No. She would not think of Morgan in that way. Not now, not ever. They were roommates and friends and nothing more. But Morgan, too, had stopped laughing, and her gaze was fixed onHeidi’s sweatshirt, as if she were imagining what Heidi’s boobs looked like.

Heidi forced her body to move and held out a hand. “Let me take your shirt, and I’ll put them in the wash.”

The blue shirt and an insubstantial lacy bra landed in her outstretched hand. Cream lace. Silky material. Soft. Heidi swallowed hard. Now she couldn’t shake the visual of Morgan’s perfect breasts encased in this wispy dream of a bra, a montage of Morgan bathed in hazy sunlight drifting through an English cottage garden surrounded by butterflies. Something soft-filtered and perfect and refined.

“On second thought, I better hand wash the bra.” Morgan took it back from Heidi’s hand.

Shit.She was obviously uncomfortable. Heidi had been too obvious. “Uh, I’ll put these in the washer.”