Part 12 (2/2)

RoomHate Penelope Ward 33880K 2022-07-22

”Well, I already agreed to have him pick me up.”

”If he tries anything funny, call me. I'll come get you.”

”But you'll be in the middle of performing.”

”Doesn't matter. Call me if you need a ride.”

”Okay. I will.”

His protectiveness reminded me of the old days. Having someone looking out for me was a really good feeling. In fact, I hadn't felt it since running away from home all those years ago.

I took another sip of my drink. Before I could place it down on the counter, I felt Justin's hand on mine as he intercepted, taking the gla.s.s from my grasp and gulping down the rest of the wine.

My voice was practically a whisper. ”I didn't know you liked white wine.”

”I'm in a different kind of a mood tonight, I guess.” He took the gla.s.s over to the small bar area and refilled it before sitting back down and placing it in front of me.

We quietly drank out of the same goblet, pa.s.sing it back and forth to each other, making silent eye contact. Whenever he licked the Chardonnay off his lips, it was utterly arousing. I felt so guilty for feeling that way, but it was beyond my control. Like he said, temptation was natural, right? Knowing that I couldn't and wouldn't act on it, made the feelings that much more powerful, though. The fact that he was unattainable made it all-consuming.

If I were being honest, no part of me really wanted to go out with Will tonight. Every part of me, on the other hand, wanted to go watch Justin perform, especially since we were coming upon the final days before he would return to New York.

The knock on the door was loud and confident. Justin rubbed the back of his neck to ma.s.sage the tension there. If I didn't know better, I would think he was the one nervous about this date.

When I hopped down from the stool to answer the door, he said, ”Wait.”

”Yeah?”

”You look really nice. I think that dress was the right choice.”

My heart fluttered. ”Thank you.”

My heels clicked on the tile as I walked over to the front door.

Will was holding a small bouquet of flowers. ”Evening, Amelia. G.o.d, you look stunning.”

”Hi, Will. Thank you. Come in.”

Justin's arms were crossed. His body language was more like an armed guard at a bank rather than a man standing casually in his own kitchen.

”You remember my roommate, Justin.”

”Of course. How are you feeling?”

”Very energized at the moment, Dr. Danger.”

Will seemed annoyed at Justin's misp.r.o.nunciation. ”Dan-ger,” he corrected.

”Sorry. Didn't mean to anger Dr. Dan-ger.”

Will wasn't amused. ”No problem.”

”Where are you kids going tonight?”

”The Boathouse. You been there?”

”Right on the water. Smooth. Putting out all the stops.”

Grabbing my purse, I said, ”Well, we should get going.”

Justin held his hand out. ”I'll take care of the flowers.”

Somehow, I wondered if they would end up in the trash the second the door closed behind us.

”Thanks.”

”No problem.”

When we got outside, Will turned to me. ”Your roommate likes to butcher my name. He's a bit of a wisea.s.s.”

”Yes. He can be.”

Will opened the door to his Mercedes and let me in the pa.s.senger side. The conversation was easy on the way to Tiverton. He asked me about my teaching career, and we spoke about his time at the University of North Carolina Medical School at Chapel Hill.

My phone vibrated.

Justin: Those flowers were from the supermarket.

Amelia: How do you know?

Justin: He left the orange sticker on. What a tool.

Amelia: It's the thought that counts.

Justin: Look in the backseat. I bet you'll see milk and eggs.

Amelia: Don't you have to be at Sandy's?

Justin: Heading out now.

Amelia: Break a leg tonight.

Justin: Stay out of Danger. Better yet, keep Danger out of you.

Amelia: You're a goof.

Justin: Order the lobster. At least you'll get something out of tonight.

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