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“As in you and Auden’s ridiculously hot, currently half-naked roommate?” She gasped. “Holy shit, are you sneaking around with his roommate? I thought you said last night that you made up with Auden?”
O’Neal had never wished more for a trapdoor or a magical portal. She wanted topoof!disappear. But as she stared like a deer in headlights at her friend, she realized the way Quyen was looking at her didn’t scream judgment or disgust, or Brick’sswimfanlook, it screamed desperate curiosity. The relief that filled her was palpable. She could trust Quyen. She glanced back toward the hallway to make sure Len was out of earshot and then looked back to her friend.
“It’s…complicated. I have to get back to our room to change and stuff, but why don’t we meet up for lunch?”
Quyen gave her an eager nod. “Yes, let’s because…girl.I’m literally dying with questions right now. Pizza or salad?”
O’Neal was so grateful for her in that moment, she wanted to cry. “It’s definitely a pizza day.”
“Agreed.”
They made quick plans as O’Neal walked her to the door. But before she let Quyen step out, she reached out and hugged her. “Thank you.”
Quyen stepped back with a smile. “What? For rudely interrupting?”
“No, for checking on me,” O’Neal said, truly touched by her friend’s concern. “Not everyone’s lucky enough to have a friend who has her back and who was about to challenge a guy twice her size to a fight.”
She laughed. “He’s lucky you walked in when you did. I could take him. I know how to tase and I aim low.”
O’Neal grinned. “See you soon.”
After O’Neal shut the door, Lennox came back into the living room. He’d pulled a shirt on and buttoned his jeans. “Sorry. I didn’t want to not open the door to her, but I should’ve given you a heads-up first. I didn’t mean to put you in an awkward position. You can tell her we both just overslept—in separate rooms.”
“It’s okay.” She walked over to him, and he pulled her into his arms. “We’re going to meet for lunch and talk. I think I’m just going to be honest.”
He looked down at her in surprise. “Really?”
“Yeah,” she said, her confidence in that decision growing. “I don’t want to lie to her. And I get the sense that she’s…open-minded.”
“Wow,” Len said, smiling. “That’s great. I’m glad you have that kind of friend.”
“Me too.” She pushed up on her toes to kiss him. “But I’m going to have to skip those bagels and head back so I can change and get ready.”
“Sure, no problem. I’ve selfishly stolen your morning already.”
“You weren’tallselfish,” she said with a smile as she stepped out of his hold. “In fact, I found you exceptionally generous.”
He kept ahold of her hand for a moment longer. “Thank you for this morning. It was…fucking spectacular.”
Her cheeks warmed. “It was.”
He kissed her knuckles. “Love you, Sweets.”
“Love you, Len.” She squeezed his hand. “Do you actually believe me this time?”
He pulled her in for a hug and kissed the crown of her head. “Yes, ma’am. I truly do.”
She smiled. “Good boy.”
He laughed and hugged her a little tighter.
CHAPTERTWENTY-SEVEN
Quyen stared at O’Neal as she took a bite of pepperoni pizza. The friendly inquisitor. She flicked her hand in anout with itmotion.
O’Neal took a giant bite of her pizza slice instead so her mouth was too full to talk. Being open and honest with her roommate had seemed like a good idea at the time, but now that they were in the bright light of the restaurant face to face, O’Neal’s resolve was wavering. What if Quyen was disgusted? What if she thought there was something wrong with O’Neal?
“Are you going to tell me what’s going on or am I going to have to play Twenty Questions?” Quyen asked.
