Page 109 of Derivation

“That is definitely okay with me,” Gabi replied.

“Then, let’s go home and charge those old phones so that we can look at the pictures and stuff tomorrow morning before Arlowe or Enya inevitably pops into our bubble for one reason or another.”

“We just had our first kiss,” Gabi said, seemingly realizing it at the same time.

“We did, yeah,” she replied, wondering why Gabi had just said that.

“Wow!” Gabi added.

“What?” Sarai asked, giggling as she wrapped her arms around Gabi’s neck.

“It’s just a big deal, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, I think it really is,” she replied and kissed Gabi once more.

CHAPTER 29

“So, how’s it going?” Arlowe asked.

“Fine. How’s it going with you?” Gabi asked back.

“No; I mean, how’s it going with Sarai?”

“Fine,” she repeated and took a bite of her chicken wrap as she stared at Arlowe, who was sitting across from her at the table.

“Are you two going out tonight?”

“No plans. Why?”

“Just wondering. Enya and I are hanging with Vi and Stella over at their place.”

“Okay. Well, have fun.”

Arlowe squinted at her and noted, “You came out of Sarai’s bedroom this morning.”

“I did, yes.”

“And she came out of your room yesterday.”

“Yup,” she said, nodding.

“And the night before–”

“I’m going to save you some time here, Arlowe. We’ve been alternating the room we sleep in since last weekend. So, not sure what you’re going for with this, but maybe that helps you get to the point faster.”

“Sarai tends to tell us everything, so I knew that part, but I wondered if she was holding something back, considering she’s dating a roommate.”

“Holding something back?”

“You two have been weird all week. Like, you’ll be in the same room, but not near each other or touching each other, and you’re dating, as far as I know.”

“Oh. That? We’re trying to figure things out. It’s weird. We like each other, but we live here, so we’re learning on the fly here.”

“Learning how to be together?”

“As roommates with two other roommates who also happen to be Sarai’s co-workers, if not mine, too. We didn’t think we should be all over each other in front of you two or anyone else. I worked from home on Thursday, and the guys were here. We don’t want to make them uncomfortable.”

“All over each other? So, you two have finally… progressed, I take it?”