Page 41 of The Reluctant Roommate

The game continued. And there was muscle memory, Morgan found, even for something as simple as shuffleboard. Her fingers automatically found the best grip, the correct amount of force. Heidi, too, was finding her stride, although she was more erratic. A perfect four-point shot, the puck hanging off the edge of the back gutter was followed by two shots that spun straight into the channel.

Conor and Logan won all three games easily.

“Would y’all like to go again?” Conor asked. “You were just getting into it.” His gaze caressed Morgan from head to toe, lingering on her breasts and thighs.

Right there was why there was no way. She summoned a smile. “I’ll sit this out.”

Heidi shot her a sideways glance. “Me too. Thanks, guys. That was good. Might see you again sometime, and we’ll have that rematch.”

Chapter 21

The Don’t Tells

They returned to their table just as the server approached. “Last call for happy hour. You want another?”

“Yes, please,” Heidi said.

Morgan mentally shrugged. Why the hell not? And Conor and Logan hadn’t been awful. They’d taken the hint and backed off from giving unwanted advice.

Heidi leaned across. “Conor was checking you out.”

“He’s too young. Probably still in college.”

Heidi shrugged. “So?”

“And too male.”

“There is that. Subject closed. I didn’t want to presume.”

“Presume away. I’ve never been into men and can’t see it happening in the future. Never say never, though, but I’d stake my house on it.”

Heidi laughed. “I’m pansexual, but those two don’t do it for me. Not that it’s me they’re interested in. I’m probably not girly enough.” She indicated her jeans and loose shirt.

“Their loss.” The words slipped out, and for a second, Morgan wished she could take them back.

Heidi’s hand paused a second as she raised the bottle of Corona to her lips, then resumed.

Morgan shriveled and died a little. What had made her say that? Even if it was true. “Sorry. That sounds creepy. Something those two dudes might have said.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Heidi’s smile flashed. “I liked you saying it, for what it’s worth. A genuine compliment is always welcome, especially from a gorgeous woman.” She widened hereyes. “I think we’re now even in the spontaneous-compliment department.”

“You have amazing eyes. Your lashes are so thick, I wondered at first if they were natural. But I’ve seen you with bedhead and pajamas, and those lashes are still firmly attached.”

The server deposited two more wines and two more Coronas, and Morgan grabbed her wine like a lifeline. She took a big gulp. “And you have expressive eyes. They’re so warm.”

Heidi looked down at the table. “I like this game. It’s great for my ego.”

“Is it a game?” The words slipped out. Was it a game? She wasn’t one to talk like this. How many glasses of wine had she had? “I love the shape of you in jeans. That faded denim, hugging your hips.”

Heidi set down her beer. “If this isn’t a game, then maybe we should stop. Roommates and romance—not a great combination. Expectations can misalign so easily. I like you, Morgan, and I like living with you. I’d like to keep that.”

The background noise faded, as if she were underwater. There was just Heidi’s lips forming the words, just Heidi leaning over the small table, her hair flopping over her forehead, the red streak a dark ruby in the dim light. Somewhere, there was a shout of laughter; somewhere, the server set down drinks.

Somewhere, there was a rational Morgan who would know to stop this.

But that Morgan wasn’t here. And this new, slightly tipsy Morgan, who’d had three glasses of wine and was already partway down a fourth, couldn’t look away from Heidi—at how her even white teeth caught at her bottom lip, how there was a hint of collarbone at the top of her sweatshirt, and how a tiny pulse beat fast in her neck.

She moistened her dry lips. “We can make it whatever we want.”