The Temporary Roomie (It Happened in Nashville 2)

Cooper slides out of the seat and sets down his beer before grabbing Lucy’s hand. “Alright, enough chitchat. Come on. I know you’ve been dying to sing all night, Luce. Personally, I hate karaoke, but I’m not one to stand in the way of my wife’s desires, so let’s go sing some Shania Twain.”

Lucy gives a flat, unamused smile before letting him pull her out of the booth. “Oh yes, my passionate love for karaoke—I totally forgot.”

She stands up, and he kisses her head. “I know you better than you know yourself.” He holds out his phone toward me. “Film this, would ya? For the grandkids one day.”

“Just admit you’re going to post this on Instagram later with an eye roll emoji and a caption that says, Lucy made me do it.”

He smirks. “Admit you’ve got it bad for your roommate.”

“Touché. Give me your phone.”

I’m in Jessie’s closet. In her freaking closet. I’m a grown man—a doctor!—who is looked up to, trusted, and respected to keep people alive and bring humans into the world, and I’m standing in a woman’s closet for a dumb prank. I rushed up here the second I got home from work.

The longer I stand in here, the worse this idea becomes. Why did I let Cooper talk me into this? He just had to plant ideas of making out with Jessie in my head—which would also be a bad idea! I can’t just make out with her on a whim because I feel like it. She’s been through serious trauma. She’s had a man leave her with a child, a child who will be entering this wor

ld very soon.

And yet…if she wants to make out with me, I sure as hell am not going to stop her.

That woman makes me completely crazy—but lately it’s turned into the good kind. I go to sleep thinking about her, wondering what kind of stupid prank she’s going to pull on me tomorrow. I stare at the ceiling, only seeing her smiles and the way her nose crinkles when she wants to stick her tongue out at me but also wants to act like an adult. I love knowing she paints her nails when she can’t sleep. Every morning I make it a point to look at her toes and note what color she chose the night before.

I can’t deny it anymore: I’m attracted her. Actually, I’m not sure I ever denied that. What I have to come to terms with is that I think I’m starting to have feelings for her. I find myself wanting to know as much about her as I can. We’ve lived together for over a week now, which means we only have two left before she moves back to her house, and I’m already dreading it.

Anyway, this is a terrible idea to hide in her closet. I’m getting out before she comes in and—

Oh shoot. Is that her? Yep. She just walked into her room and closed the door behind her.

I’m stuck in here with my bad decision. This is terrible, and my pulse in my neck is telling me I’m a freaking idiot and going to pay for this in a big way. Grown men shouldn’t hide in women’s closets—ask any stalker locked away behind bars. Annnnnd now I’ve officially waited way too long to jump out, and I’m going to look extra pervy if she finds me. I need to just commit and jump out before it gets to be too long, but I’m way too embarrassed. I do not want her to know I ever even considered this choice.

Maybe I can just hide in here all night?

I hear Jessie humming to herself and moseying around her room, and this only adds to my anxiety.

I pull out my phone and shoot Lucy and Cooper a group text.

Me: I hate you both. I’m in Jessie’s freaking closet.

Lucy: Bahahahahahaha

Cooper: *kissy face emoji*

Me: No. I’ve been standing in here too long, afraid to jump out. I’m going to look like a major perv now and she’s really going to hate me.

Lucy: How long have you been in there while she’s in her room?

Me: Like three minutes

Cooper: Dude…

Me: I KNOW! What do I do?

Lucy: She’s pregnant—she’s bound to go to the bathroom soon. When she does, sneak out.

Me: Okay yeah that’s good.

Cooper: Just jump out and get your kissing on.

Lucy: DON’T listen to Cooper. Believe me, you will not end up making out.