I throw the phone across the room like it’s a hot potato.
“Crap,” I mutter as I run over to retrieve it, hoping there’s no crack on the screen. I have a lot more staring at Emmett’s selfie planned and I don’t want spiderwebs on my screen to distract from the stunning view.
The screen is fine, but my hands are trembling as I open the text from him.
EMMETT (ROOMMATE): Are you ever going to come out of your room to say hi?
My hands are shaking as I read it. It’s a question. I have to answer.
* * *
LINDSAY: Hopefully one day lol. I’ve been so busy with work…
I read it a few dozen times before I send it. It’s good. I think. It’s casual. Believable. It’s all I got.
EMMETT (ROOMMATE): Were you in my bed?
Shit. This guy jumps right to the point.
How the hell am I supposed to answer this? With a string of emojis? A funny gif?
I was in his freaking bed, I need to give him some kind of explanation.
LINDSAY: I was sleepwalking. I tend to do that from time to time and I must have accidentally gone back into your bed by mistake. Sorry! Won’t happen again.
Oomph. That’s a stretch. Don’t judge, it’s all I got.
EMMETT (ROOMMATE): Next time make sure I’m in the bed before you come jumping in ;)
I stare at the phone as my heart thumps against my ribcage. Is he flirting? With me? That is a wink emoji…
My fingers start typing on their own.
LINDSAY: I’ve always wanted a roommate with benefits ;)
It’s so forward. It’s so slutty. It’s so not me, but I send it anyway. My heart nearly stops when I see the little bubble that shows he’s writing back.
EMMETT (ROOMMATE): You’ll have to leave your room first…
EMMETT (ROOMMATE): Send me a pic. I still haven’t seen you yet.
My face drops. This flirty conversation will end real fast if I do that. There’s no way he’s into girls like me.
LINDSAY: You first!
My mouth drops when I get an early Christmas present a few seconds later.
It’s another selfie of Emmett. He’s sitting in a gorgeous office with the backdrop of Miami visible in the huge windows behind him. My breath quickens as I stare at it. He’s wearing a nice blue suit with a white shirt and grey tie. He’s so fucking hot.
I can’t deal. That look… shit. It’s intense and sexy and is getting me all worked up. He’s staring at the phone like he’s about to fuck it. I’d die if he ever looked at me like that.
I heart the picture and gulp when I see that he’s texting back. I think I know what’s coming and I don’t like it one bit.
EMMETT (ROOMMATE): Your turn.
I toss my phone onto the end of my bed and close my eyes. Not going to happen.
But after a minute or two of panicking, I pick it back up and navigate to the camera. Maybe with a filter I could get something passable.
I mess up my hair and give the camera a pouty look. It takes a few dozen tries, but I get one that I kind of look okay in. I try a few filters on it and then, hey that’s not so bad.
I grin as I stare at it. I didn’t know I could look that good without being airbrushed.
Before I can talk myself out of it, I send it to him.
EMMETT (ROOMMATE): Fucking hot!
I perk up, feeling ultra-awake as I stare at the message. He called me hot. My thoughts are scattering as my heart drums in my chest. I’m too excited to think.
No one has ever called me hot before. Let alone a total ten like Emmett.
Things are definitely going to get interesting tonight…
The fearless and feisty version of Lindsay has disappeared by the time Emmett returns home. I’m back to hiding in the closet. Truly pitiful, I know.
EMMETT (ROOMMATE): Hiding again?
LINDSAY: No, just working :)
EMMETT (ROOMMATE): I’m going to the pub with some new friends from work. Wanna come?
I can hear Anna’s persistent voice in my ear, imploring me to go. I’m just not there yet.
LINDSAY: Too much work, but thanks for the offer. Maybe next time.
He leaves without answering.
I spend the rest of the night drawing a bunch of cute sloths who are all perked up from Samantha’s Coffee for an Instagram campaign they’ll be running next month.
I’m totally absorbed in a tree I’m coloring when I hear the front door open around one-thirty in the morning. He’s back.
I shiver as I hear him wandering around the apartment. He’s louder than normal, which means he’s probably had a few pints to drink.
I gasp when my phone lights up.
EMMETT (ROOMMATE): Come out of your hiding spot little fox…
I swallow hard as I look at my closed door. It’s dark. He’s drunk, probably. Now might be a good time to see each other. I’ll have to do it eventually…