“Well, that is true…” He looked at me.Et tu, Brute?
His brown eyes locked onto mine, steady and warm like the whiskey that still sat on the table. It was like everything in my brain hit a traffic jam—full stop, no detour, just me standing there blinking while trying to process my surroundings. I couldn’t have told you my name, or what I was supposed to be doing or saying in that moment.
But, then it hit me. I wasn’t in the market for a roommate, even if he looked like a damn magazine spread forHot Professionals Who Would Ruin Your Life. Yet, I had no choice in the matter, apparently…
With a glance back toward my father, who was once again giving methatlook, I slapped my customer-service grin on my face and flapped a hand. I was putting that small glitch as a tally in the stroke category, and decided I was just grateful my brain was working again for the moment.
“Yeah, yeah, don’t worry about it!” I wryly chuckled, “I was just caught off guard! No problem at all.”
Derek studied me, cocking a brow as if he knew that was total bullshit, but I just grinned wider.
“Well, if you’re sure…” He began hesitantly, clearly hoping I’d take his opening to get us both out of this.
Well, jokes on him. I was a coward.
“Oh, absolutely. ’Bout time we were properly introduced, though. Colton Shaffer.” I stuck my hand out to him.
He took it and gave a firm squeeze that felt obscenely corporate.
“Derek Hammond.” He replied, his expression shifting to something of amusement, giving the impression that I was the butt of a joke the rest of the room was in on.
Fuck, did I mention this guy was handsome? I seriously was not prepared for this level of distraction today. Mentallyshaking my head, I tried to covertly feel if I had drool sliding down my chin from staring into those chocolate brown eyes of his. They were still dancing with mischief that reminded me I should probably be feeling indignant about… something.
His hand lingered in mine for a beat too long before we both dropped the mutually tight handshake. Pop gave him a few hard slaps on the back, no doubt feeling like he’d accomplished his goal for the day.
“Well, then, I’ll see you Monday morning, Derek. I’ve got some things I need to attend to, though, so if you boys will excuse me,” He announced before sauntering off toward his office. My father and I locked eyes as he passed and I made a mental note to thoroughly ream him out over taking advantage of my good nature later.
But, at this moment, there was nothing else to do but get to it.
“Do you have any bags then?” I asked, placing my hands on my hips as I turned back toward my new roomie, accepting that this was, in fact, my life.
“In my car.” He motioned out toward the front yard.
Humming in acknowledgement, I turned and began walking toward the entryway.
“Okay, now that Pop isn’t within earshot, what was that look earlier?” I tossed over my shoulder, sending a side-eye sharp enough to cut steel.
He blinked, tilting his head slightly in a way that made him look like some dumb but too cute for words puppy. I pursed my lips at the thought.
“That face,” I said, turning back to keep walking. “You gave me a look earlier when I introduced myself. It was all ‘I know something you don’t’ and giving insider trader energy. Ringing any bells?”
“Oh.”
I could hear the recognition in his voice as we exited into the sweltering Texas afternoon heat. He grinned at me as heshut the front door to my parents’ house behind him.What a polite boy, I could hear my mother crooning in my head.
“I just thought it was funny. I mean… your daddidintroduce us already. Guess you missed that while you were emotionally spiraling.” He smirked.
My feet faltered and I nearly tumbled down the front porch steps. Fuck,hadthat happened? I mean, it could have happened while my brain was still trying to reboot. Truthfully, the whole interaction could have been sung in opera, and I still wouldn’t have registered it.
“God,” I groaned, throwing my head back with a burst of laughter. “Was it that obvious I was having a stroke?”
He shrugged casually. “Little bit. But hey, you made a strong impression. Confused, mildly panicked, and deeply suspicious. I felt very welcome.”
“Great,” I muttered. “Well, I suppose you can’t blame me. All my energy was going toward not losing my shit in front of polite company.”
A bark of deep, throaty laughter from behind me had my lips tugging into a grin. Even if I wasn’t sure about this guy, it was nice to know I could make him laugh like that. It was rich and carefree in a way that you knew had to be real.
I led him over to where our vehicles were parked on the street, trading some more quips back and forth along the way. In my rush to get inside earlier, I hadn’t even clocked the sleek blue car I’d parked in front of. It looked expensive and like it’d have strong opinions about the local gas station—not to mention the fuel options.
