Hate to Date You (Dating #4) - Monica Murphy Page 0,48

was over and she was yelling at Peter Kavinsky for being a dumbass.

Maybe I’m feeling myself too, thanks to the beers I’ve had, but the more time I spend with Stella, the more I like her. And I’m feeling that spark. The same spark we experienced that night we shared. The spark that’s been flaring to life since I moved in with her.

Right now the spark throwing some major heat.

“There’s absolutely nothing wrong with you,” I reassure her when I realize I haven’t said anything and she’s probably waiting for some, you know, reassurance. Something I’m not that great at, or so I’ve been told by a few women from my past. “You just haven’t met the right person yet.”

“It’s true,” she says with a sigh as she leans against the kitchen counter. “I mean, I’m sure he’s out there. And I’ve met a few guys I’ve liked, guys I enjoyed spending time with. And when I say spending time, I mean having sex.”

I almost say thanks for the clarification, but I keep quiet. Maybe alcohol makes her more honest.

I like her even more when she’s open and honest.

“The last guy I was with, he called me a—sexual unicorn,” she further explains, and I’m grateful I’m not holding anything or else I probably would’ve dropped it.

“A sexual…what did you say?” I squint at her.

Surely I’m not hearing her right.

“A sexual un-i-corn.” She says the word slowly, like I can’t pronounce it and she’s helping me out. She smiles, her eyes sparkling, and she slaps the kitchen counter with her palm. “I like the way that sounds.”

Frankly, so do I, but I’m not going to tell her. This conversation is going down a path I would’ve never expected, that’s for damn sure. And we haven’t even ordered our pizza yet. I should probably change the subject and take the word sexual out of it completely. “Is the unicorn hungry for dinner?”

She laughs. “Sure.”

“I’m going to order the pizza then.” I pull my phone out of my pocket and tap away on the local pizza place’s app, ordering exactly what she requested. They offer barbecue chicken as a specialty, but I’m not going to push it on her now.

I’ll save it for later, because I will definitely be collecting my fifty dollars.

Frowning, I slip my phone back into my pocket, mulling over what I just thought. Save it for later? I never think like that about a woman. Well, she is my roommate, and if I’m lazy and don’t try to find my own place right away, I will most likely see her later. Months later. And that’s all she is.

Just a roommate.

I steal a glance at her, watching as she walks across the narrow kitchen and opens the fridge door, bending over to grab something. My gaze settles on her shapely ass, and I’m tempted to reach out. Pat it. Squeeze it. Caress it.

Yeah. Those are not the normal thoughts one has for a roommate.

She shuts the refrigerator door and turns, staring at me. “What’s wrong? You look like someone ran over your puppy. Is the pizza place closed?”

“No, no. It’ll be here in twenty-five minutes.” I smile, but it feels forced. My gaze drops to her chest, trying to make out her perfect tits, but the sweatshirt is baggy and doesn’t show me shit. “You caught me contemplating life, I guess,” I lie.

“Aw, are you struggling?” She steps closer, reaching out to gently rest her hand on my forearm. Her touch is electric, sending little shockwaves up my arm, and I look at where her fingers press into my skin. “Do you regret moving back here?”

“No, I don’t regret it.” I don’t regret the chance it’s given me to spend time with Stella. “It’s just been an adjustment.”

“You’ll find your footing soon, I’m sure of it. And my brothers will totally help you. You are still planning on coming with me to dinner Sunday, right?” When I nod, she continues, “I’m sure they’ll give you all sorts of information. They’ll also tell you what they want you to do to our nonna’s house. They’re very opinionated, so just nod and smile, and later, ask my nonna what she really wants. She’s the one you need to please, not them.”

“Is that what you do when you talk to your brothers? Just nod and smile and pretend you’re going to do what they want?” I can imagine them trying to boss her around and Stella telling them to go to hell. No