Fell In Love With My Roomy Chapter 46

I swiftly turned my head and spotted an older man smoking a cigarette while leaning against a wall with three other people. "Hey, honey, come over here, and we'll show you how three real men treat a beautiful woman like you!" I rolled my eyes, but before I could take a step, my roommates returned and surrounded me.

"Get lost, man!" Kyle shouted.

"What's wrong with you, you pervert, hitting on women younger than you?" Mark yelled. Kent remained silent but placed his hand on my shoulder to shield me from them.

"Look, you guys, it's fine," I grumbled. "Just take it easy." I sighed, finally finding my chapstick. Although it wasn't right, it wasn't anything new. I knew he wouldn't try anything with three other guys present.

"Guys like that give the rest of us a bad name," Mark said to me, and I snorted.

"Don't take it too personally," I reminded him, and Kent released his grip on my arm. I didn't want him touching me, and I didn't want his problems near me.

I capped my chapstick, but as I dropped it, it rolled down the street. This night just wasn't going well. When someone I recognized picked it up for me, I groaned and hurried over.

"Hey, Julianna," Chase greeted me as he handed it back, and I smiled.

"Hey, I'm glad you made it," I told him, and he gave me an awkward hug. He was too into it for me to pull away without making it clear that I didn't want to hug him, so I sighed and returned the embrace.

"Julianna!" Abby exclaimed, pulling him away from me, and I just smiled and hugged her. "I haven't seen you all week! Where were you last night?"

I took a moment to think, ignoring the first thought that popped into my head, which was "kissing Kent," and came up with a different answer.

"Just getting some rest and taking care of myself," I replied. She accepted my explanation. "This week has been tough."

"Yeah, I heard. I'm so sorry," she sighed, hugging me again.

"Don't worry, I'll be okay. I'm feeling better now, and I'm ready to have some fun," I assured her, and she eagerly nodded.

"I'm glad," I said with a smile when she mentioned it. "You look so cute, and that top is my favorite thing about your outfit," I complimented her.

"I love your pants too," I told her, noticing her high-waisted leather ones. "I see you wearing them all the time—"

"You should get a pair," she encouraged me. "I bet you'd look adorable."

"I'd worry they wouldn't stretch enough," I hesitated.

"It depends on where you get them," she smiled, and I just shrugged and glanced up at the line.

"How long have you been waiting?"

"Not too long," she replied. "The line has been moving fairly quickly."

"Good, it's getting colder out here," I admitted, regretting not choosing a warmer jacket. "So, how was your week? What have you been up to—"

"Hey there!" We heard Piper and her group arriving in an Uber-X beside us, and I spotted them.

"No," I whispered to Abby, but she laughed.

"They all look so L.A. nightclub-ready with those big wavy hairstyles and sparkly dresses," she remarked.

"Hi, Kent!" Piper greeted, cutting in line, and he moved aside.

"Do you know what I found out?" I whispered to Abby, and her eyebrows shot up. "They've never actually slept together in real life."

"Really?" Abby exclaimed, and I nodded. "It seemed like they had because of how awkward everything was. You know how rumors about him spread."

"Well, I trust him, not what people are saying," I said with a shrug, and Abby smiled and raised her eyebrows, crossing her arms. "What?"

"Wow, you changed your mind quickly!" She teased, poking me in the ribs. "You like him—"

"No, I don't," I laughed and shook my head.

"Oh, come on, he's hot, even though he's a brooding jerk," she whispered. "I knew it'd be tough living next to—"

"Abby," I huffed, putting my hands up. "Stop talking before anyone hears you," I pleaded, and she agreed and hugged me to apologize.

"Fine, fine. I'm sorry," she said cheerfully.

"Hey, ladies! Who's next? You're keeping everyone else waiting!" the doorman called out to us. Chase, Darren, and Ellis had already passed through the line, so it was our turn.

"Oh, no," Abby said with a playful smile and a wink at the bouncer, and his stern expression instantly softened. I couldn't help but wish I had better people skills like hers.

Afterward, I handed him my ID, which he examined closely. "What are all your names?" he asked, and I let out an exasperated sigh.

"Julianna Macey," I replied, growing irritated.

"Birthday?"

"February 20th, the year 2000," I told him, and he nodded carefully.

"Zip code?"

"Seriously?" I questioned, raising my eyebrows, and he responded with a raised eyebrow of his own. "ZB4 3.5C."

"Do you have another one?" he inquired.

"Dude, she's twenty-one years old, for Christ's sake! Your nitpicking is holding up the line!" Mark shouted, not backing down. I had to rummage through my bag to locate my wallet.

"Here are my credit card, Medicaid card, and student ID. They all have the same information. I've just lost weight and let my hair grow out," I grumbled, and he quickly glanced at them.

"Okay, next," he said abruptly, and I bit my cheek in anger. I felt frustrated as I returned the cards to my wallet, as if he had just wasted my time.

What a lousy bouncer.

Once inside, the guys set up a table for our relatively large group. I sat in the middle on one side with Abby, feeling still annoyed by the bouncer's attitude.

Then I noticed Kent practically climbing over the table to get to the seat next to mine. Odd.

"Kent! Sit with me, you dummy!" Piper called out to him from across the table, prompting him to quickly move to sit beside me. Mark took the seat on the other side of him, and Chase sat right next to me.

"Strike a deal with me," I playfully begged Abby.

She chuckled and replied, "Nope," with a mischievous grin.

I wished she understood why I didn't want to be near him. She found it amusing to put us in the same room, but I couldn't stand it.

"Hey, Julianna, when's your thesis presentation again?" Chase inquired, giving me a welcome break from my discomfort.

"It's on Monday afternoon."

"Well, I was wondering if I could attend," he suggested with a shrug.

"Um, it's just a board meeting, so there won't be any guests. Even if there were, I'd be too nervous with you there," I whispered, and he nodded, smiling.

"That makes sense. I understand. Let me know how it goes," he said. Kent's jaw seemed to tense up a bit. Chase was such a strange and pitiful guy. "Maybe we can celebrate at the study group on Tuesday?"

"Or I could pick you up after the presentation? We could celebrate?" By this point, everyone at the table was watching our awkward conversation. I didn't have any romantic interest in him, and I didn't want anyone to get the wrong idea.

"Oh my god, Chase, are you drooling?" Piper teased, and for the first time, I could confidently say, "Thanks, Piper." "If you're going to flirt with Julianna like this in front of everyone, at least have some game."

"I'm not interested in Julianna; I'm just being friendly," Chase replied, and I felt relieved. Maybe I was overthinking his kindness.

"And talking about something you wouldn't understand," he added, and the table erupted in laughter.

Chase seemed to engage in a conversation with Darren next to him, probably to avoid any further embarrassment. Kent then whispered to me, "How long have you and Chase been friends?"

"Why do you care now?" I shot back. "Chase and I have been friends for a while."

"Well, I don't think Piper is wrong this time," he whispered. I rolled my eyes at his comment.

"I couldn't care less," I told him, looking at him for the first time since we sat down. His face held surprise. "You don't get a say in any of this, not after—" I lowered my voice to ensure no one was eavesdropping. "What happened."

"What, Julianna?" he whispered back, sending shivers down my spine. I hated when he whispered like that; it wasn't fair. "After what?"

"Give me some space," I grumble. "Abby, let's grab a drink and hit the dance floor," I suggest, pivoting away from him.

"Absolutely! Count me in!" She responds enthusiastically, leaping up from the table beside me.

This promises to be quite an eventful night.