Page 76 of The Reluctant Roommate

Morgan’s eyes darkened. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

“Almost certainly,” Heidi whispered.

“You’re spicy and salty and a little bit sweet too. Just like this drink.”

Morgan seemed too far away, at the other side of the booth, a table between them. Heidi wanted to run a hand up her thigh, touch her intimately. Not something to do in a steakhousesurrounded by other people.Maybe we can leave. Maybe I’m not so hungry after all.

The server appeared back. “Are you ready to order?”

They ordered a Caprese salad to share for an appetizer and then both ordered the rib-eye steak. Medium-rare for Morgan, very rare for Heidi, with fries and mixed vegetables. Mushroom sauce for Morgan, pepper for Heidi.

Heidi passed the wine list to Morgan. “You pick. You know your wines. Something full-bodied and red for me.”

Morgan ordered a Spanish red from the Rioja region. “Although I should have picked an Aussie wine in your honor.”

“Spanish is great.” Heidi leaned across the table and took Morgan’s hand. “Thank you for being there for me today. I wouldn’t have had the courage to do that if you weren’t by my side. And you found the cell phone. You looked out for me. If you weren’t there, I think I’d have politely asked Serena to return my money then slunk out in shame when she laughed at me.”

“You wouldn’t.” Morgan’s thumb slid over the back of Heidi’s hand. “You’re stronger than that.”

“Still. You made it easier.”

The server brought the wine, and Morgan tasted and approved. He poured two glasses and left.

“Mission accomplished. We have tonight all for ourselves. Tomorrow, we head back to our normal life.” Heidi sighed. “I wish we could take another day, but I have to work.”

“Maybe we could take a couple of days away another time. Maybe go to Breckenridge. It’s a ski town—very different from here.”

“Get you to try those black runs?”

“I’m too nervous on the blacks.”

“Somehow,” Heidi said softly, “I don’t believe that. It seems that there’s little that scares you.”

“I wish. There’s lots I can’t do because I’m too nervous. Not just skiing. I hide behind a veneer. It’s how I was raised. There are things I can’t say.”

“Tell me one. I won’t judge you.” Heidi searched Morgan’s face.

Her mouth opened, and she linked her hands together hard enough that her knuckles whitened. “I…”

Heidi waited. When Morgan closed her mouth and looked away, she touched the back of her hand. “You don’t have to say anything. True friends will understand your reasons for remaining silent.”

“Is that you?” Morgan whispered.

“Yes. I think I’m a loyal friend.” Another pass of her thumb over the back of Morgan’s hand. “And I’myourfriend.”

Morgan looked down, and, one by one, she unlinked her fingers. “I’m glad. Heidi, there’s something—”

“Here you are, ladies. One Caprese salad, two plates.” The server set the salad in the middle of the table and an empty plate in front of them. He picked up the wine and topped up their glasses. “Enjoy.”

Morgan took a sip of the wine. “This is excellent.” Her voice was back to its normal crisp delivery.

They ate the salad slowly, savoring the aged balsamic, the creamy buffalo mozzarella. When the server had cleared their plates, Heidi leaned forward again.

“You were interrupted. You were about to tell me something.”

Morgan’s eyes hooded. “Nothing important. Just thinking we could ski at Copper Mountain when we stay at Breckenridge.”

That was so not what Morgan had been going to say. “Maybe. I’ve always wanted to try snowboarding. It looks like a total blast.”