Page 19 of Cabin Mate

“That’s true.” I concede. “So maybe a few dances and brief hand-holding?”

She studies me for a moment before responding. “Three slow dances, unlimited hand-holding … and flirting.”

“Unlimited??” I bring my hand to my chest like I’m scandalized. “Molly Vanderbilt, are you trying to take away my innocence?”

She pinches my arm and I rub the spot dramatically.

“You? Innocent?” She rolls her eyes, but she’s smiling.

I chuckle but then look away from her and study the art on the wall. “But like … no kissing, right?” I look back at her again.

“Oh my gosh, does the thought of kissing me seem that gross?” She laughs, but there’s something in her eyes that looks slightly offended.

“No. It doesn’t,” I say with conviction, the words slipping out before I can stop them. She holds my gaze for a moment, a question in her expression. I try to lighten the mood with a laugh, but it sounds strangled. “It’s just … you’re my best friend and I don’t want anything to be weird between us.”

Her shoulders relax like she’d been holding her breath. “Yeah, that’s a good point. Okay, no kissing.”

We finish our burgers and wine in silence. Silence between us is usually comfortable and not weird at all. But this silence feels so quiet there’s a ringing in my ears. And it’s somehow charged with something I can’t quite name. It’s all just … different than usual.

“So, how are the knee replacement designs coming along?” She breaks the silence, and I feel relieved.

Work is something we can always talk about, because we will always have that in common. “Really good, actually. I still have some kinks to work out in the design. I want it to feel like a real knee, to move seamlessly and comfortably. It’s the most challenging thing I’ve attempted so far.”

She nods. “Yeah, I bet. But if anyone can do it, you can.”

My heart speeds up inside my chest, because I know she truly believes in me. Not because of my last name, or my family's money. Not because she wants anything from me, but simply because she respects me as a person and is proud to be my friend.

And this is where my feelings become complicated … Besides my family, she’s the only one who I feel both respects me and really gets me. Honestly, even my siblings think I’m just a womanizing goofball most of the time.

Her genuine respect makes my desire for her even stronger. And yet, it makes the thought of expressing my feelings and ruining our friendship even more excruciating.

Chapter 8

Brooks

Sophomore Year MIT

Walking up to Molly’s dorm room to work on our lab project, I stop outside her door and take a deep breath. Maybe if I prepare myself ahead of time to see her pretty face, kind smile, and grand-millennial style—that for some reason is so sexy to me—my heart won’t leap outside of my chest the way it always seems to when I’m around her.

But I know there’s nothing I can do to avoid the fluttery feeling. I’ve tried everything. Including reminding myself a billion times that she has a boyfriend. And speaking of billion … that’s how many dollars he has. (Or at least his family does.)

My family may have millions, but there’s a vast difference between millionaires and billionaires—just ask Dave Ramsey. And aside from the money, there are deep family ties between her family and Todd’s … and that’s something I definitely can’t compete with.

I tap on the door with bated breath and when Molly whisks the door open, my heart stops and not for the normal reasons, but because she’s been crying. Her eyes are puffy and her face is red.

She tries, unsuccessfully, to smile. “Oh, hey, Brooks! I forgot about our research paper … Come on in.” She moves to the side to let me in.

I step inside the spacious dorm room. Molly doesn’t have a roommate: perks of one of the libraries on campus having your last name in the title. She has enough room for a queen-size canopy bed. The bed frame is brass, and it looks like a family heirloom. Her antique spoon collection—which I love to make fun of, but secretly think is really cool—is hung on the wall next to her bed. The other walls are lined with art, but it’s all very classy and aesthetically pleasing … not your typical boy band posters like in the other girls’ dorm rooms.

She follows me inside and sits on the edge of her bed. I take a seat on the plush white rug on the floor, sitting criss-cross applesauce.

“So, you gonna tell me what’s wrong?” I say playfully, with a quirk of one eyebrow.

She laughs, but her eyes are sad. “Todd and I broke up this morning. He said he wanted freedom to enjoy being young … or something like that.”

I scoff at the idea of wanting freedom from Molly. This girl is the ultimate package. “Well, then he’s an idiot and you’re better off without him.”

She sighs and sniffs. I grab the tissues from the desk right behind me and toss them to her. “Thanks.” She smiles then dabs her eyes and blows her nose. “It’s not that simple though. Our families are so close. We vacation together … spend holidays together. I just feel like Todd and I are meant to be, you know?”