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And then I realize I can’t even remember half of the words my eyes just skimmed over a second ago. Pouting like a cranky kid, I go back and plop down on the couch.
What the hell am I doing? What is wrong with me? What part ofyour older brother’s best friend is forbiddendon’t I understand?
It’s late Sunday night. Really late. My eyes are burning and I’m yawning every few minutes. I should be going to bed to get a head start on the upcoming week, but I feel too restless. So, I’m sprawled out on the living room couch, reading a journal article about alternative headache remedies.
It really is an interesting, well-researched article. Even though I’m having a harder time than ever focusing tonight.
Right as I get to the section about ancient naturopathic medicines, the front door swings open.
My heart starts pounding before Mason even steps inside. I quickly sit up, yanking off my nerdy reading glasses and smoothing down my weekend hair.
Our eyes lock, and my stomach jumps.
“You’re home…” I say, in a breathy rush.
Mason hesitates, his eyes slowly searching my face. “I’m…home.”
Gradually, a smile spreads across his lips. One of his boyish grins that deepens his dimples and reaches his mocha brown eyes. I think it’s one of my favorite things to look at. And just like that, the queasy feeling that’s been bugging my stomach all evening is gone.
I know I never planned on having a roommate for the summer, but it’s undeniable that Mason and I have fallen into a rhythm here. Everything’s been unbalanced with him away for the past several days. It’s felt like the longest weekend without him around.
Wiping rain droplets from his forehead, Mason sets his bag down on the living room floor and collapses into the cozy armchair adjacent to the couch, his tall dominant frame folding into the seat.
“So, what are you reading about tonight?” he asks.
“Oh, nothing interesting.” I abruptly close the medical journal I was reading and sit up higher. “Did you have a good visit with your family?”
He leans back, getting comfortable. “Yeah, it was good to go back. My sisters are even crazier than I remember. And I hadn’t realized how much I missed my grandmother. And it was good to help Dad with some repairs around my parents’ house. It was nice.”
Just listening to him makes my heart flutter. Jeez. A guy who loves his grandma. I didn’t even know those existed in real life. And of course, the moment I find a real-life unicorn, he’s off-limits to me. Figures.
“What about you?” he asks. “Did you have a good weekend? How was the cookout at Felix’s?”
“Same old. The burgers were dry. The beer was lukewarm. My brothers were assholes. You know the drill.”
We smile at each other, and the room grows silent.
“Oh. I almost forgot,” I say, jumping to my feet. “I left some food in the fridge. I know you had your family dinner tonight but I didn’t know if…”
He grins again. “Yeah, I’d like that. Thanks.” He grabs his bag off the floor and follows me into the kitchen. He watches as I quickly plate up some dinner for him. “Smells great,” he says, his nose pointed in the air and trailing my every move. “What is that?”
I giggle at his adorable expression. “Beef gyro on garlic flatbread with a chunky chickpea salad on the side.”
When I set the plate in front of him, he takes an eager bite. “What the…? My god. This is so good, Karli.”
“Thanks.” I blush.
“How do you come up with these recipes anyway?” He stuffs another bite into his mouth.
My shoulder pops up. “I don’t know. I experiment a lot, I guess.”
“Well somebody should be paying you to come up with this stuff. You’re really talented.” Mason shoves another forkful of chickpeas into his mouth.
I observe him as he eats and my heart pitter-patters around in my chest. “How do you always know the right thing to say?”
He glances up with a crooked smile. “Four sisters, remember?”
I smile back. “Right. I hope I get to thank those four sisters one day.” The words slip past my brain/mouth barrier before I can stop them and I blush.
