is… my roommate, Oliver. You might remember him from the night we met at the club.”
“Roommate?” Oliver’s eyebrows nearly hiked to his hairline.
“Oh, a roommate?” Kyle’s brow raised.
“It’s a long story.” I grinned at Kyle, feeling my cheeks blushing. “I can tell you over dinner. Are these for me?”
“Oh, yes.” He nodded, sliding the bouquet into my hand. He leaned in to kiss my cheek—the same one Oliver had just kissed—as he handed the flowers over. I could feel Oliver’s body closing in on me from behind again.
“They’re beautiful. I’ve never received such a nice bouquet.”
Kyle’s eyes cut to “my roommate” before he pulled back. I could only imagine what kind of look they exchanged over my shoulder. “I’m glad you like them. Well, should we get going? I have reservations for the Lidor.”
“Oh, the Lidor? Wow,” I said. “Absolutely. Let me just get these into some water.” I spun around to go into the kitchen and find a vase but ran smack-dab into Oliver’s chest.
He stared down at me. Hurt flashed across his eyes. His fingers wrapped around mine and the stems of the bouquet. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of these for you.”
My face felt hot, and my heart was pounding.
This was the worst-case scenario.
Oliver didn’t seem too happy as he loomed over the start of my date, and now he offered to take care of the roses the guy bought for me. I could imagine that the flowers wouldn’t survive the next few minutes if I left them in his care. He’d likely shred them to pieces, with Kyle’s face in mind based on his expression. This was not good. Shit.
“No, you really don’t have to do that.” I smiled politely, praying for him not to make it any more awkward for me than it already was.
“I’ve got it,” Oliver said. Something in his eyes shifted. “Don’t miss your table—it would be a shame. You should try the Greek-style tart. The Lidor’s chef is from Athens. The dessert is delicate.” I didn’t miss the hint of disappointment in his undertone.
It was like I was staring at a different man. I let go of the flowers, leaving them in his hand. He leaned down and whispered: “He kinda looks funny. If he tries anything funny, call me.”
“We can talk later,” I said sternly. “Besides, I don’t want you to be late for your gallery opening.” I raced to Kyle’s side, desperate to get the hell out of there, a hard lump in my throat. “You ready?”
“Enjoy your evening.” Oliver tried to smile—and failed. It looked strained. Dammit.
“Nice to meet you.” Kyle waved to him, which Oliver ignored, before sliding his hand into mine and escorting me down the hall.
I resisted the urge to glance back and see him standing there in the doorway, staring at me leaving with my dentist-date. I refused to let myself think that Lisa might have been right. Oliver had plenty of chances to tell me if I was more than just a friend to sleep with.
Holding my head high, I kept walking along with Kyle.
I’d seen him run off on plenty of dates, leaving me behind. It was about damn time he was the one left waiting—if he was even waiting. I felt utterly horrible, but there was no way I’d turn back.
26
Oliver
My fists clenched as I watched that tool strut down the hall with her on his arm. I noticed the lack of space between their bodies, and part of me wanted to punch the fucking wall, but instead, I turned and walked back in the apartment, resisting the urge to slam the door behind me.
Roommate? Her fucking roommate? What the fuck?
The large bouquet of roses in my hand taunted me. The blooms smiled up at me, and I swore I could hear them singing little songs about her and that douche making out in the car or, God forbid, stumbling into her bedroom together at the end of the night.
Surely, she wouldn’t be so cruel and bring him back there, would she?
Over my dead fucking body.
I considered throwing the damn things in the trash, or maybe shredding them and leaving them in her bedroom. Why not give the happy couple some ambience to come home to? I tossed them onto the counter to stop myself from doing anything fucking rash. Instead, I snatched up my glass of wine. After throwing back what was left in the glass, I planted myself on the couch with the whole bottle in hand.
I