Fell In Love With My Roomy Chapter 47

Tonight, I feel like I'm in my element. Every fiber of my being seems to thrum with energy. After the trying week I've endured, the sheer joy of tonight almost feels surreal. But I yearned for this happiness, this sense of fun and liberation.

Abby proved to be the perfect drinking companion, sharing my enthusiasm for dancing. Our moves might not have been impressive, but the sheer delight we found on the dance floor made it all worthwhile.

"Let's grab some shots!" Abby beckons, and I nod in agreement. We rush back to the bar and order vodka shots, clinking our glasses together before downing them. I grimace slightly, feeling a shiver race down my spine, but I suppress the reaction as best as I can. "One more?"

"We've already had about seven, should we really continue?" I inquire, and she responds with a nonchalant shrug.

"Perhaps not, but let's indulge in one more," she pleads with clasped hands, and I relent. "Jäger?"

"Sure, it's budget-friendly!" I confirm, and she leans in to shout our order at the bartender. I watch him place a shot glass in each of two cups and crack open a can of Red Bull. Not an ideal choice, as energy drinks tend to disagree with me most of the time.

The shots are placed before us, and Abby takes out money to settle the bill. She then hands me my shot, and we clink glasses before downing the contents. It's overly sweet, but it goes down smoothly. My mind scans the room. The guys are all grooving at the center of the dance floor, and Ellis is likely sharing something with Sydney in the corner. Three of Piper's pals are also dancing, and when I spot Kent and Piper seated at a table together, my stomach churns.

"She's unbearable," I mutter to Abby, who concurs. "She's not even that attractive up close."

"One would think she'd get the hint by now," Abby adds, and I nod in fervent agreement. Leaning over, she whispers something in my ear. Then she hops off her stool, waves, and heads down the corridor toward the restroom.

Due to what transpired last night, I have an urge to confront him, to lash out in anger. But I can't, because I understand what's unfolding right now, and it has gifted me with some of the most memorable and tormenting moments of my life.

"I'm going to tell him what's on my mind," I slur my words, prompting a laugh from Abby.

"Go for it, Julianna," she encourages, giving me a playful hip bump.

I dart across the room, making a beeline for our table. Alcohol has fueled my system and bolstered my confidence. Inebriated, I even feel wittier.

"Enjoying yourself?" I inquire when I return to my seat, and he rolls his eyes.

"Nowhere near as much as you seem to think," he retorts, and I reciprocate with an eye roll. "What did I do to upset you when I left you alone?"

Well, I just wanted to tell you that… I state bluntly, and he folds his arms, batting his eyelashes in a mocking manner.

"What is it?" He probes.

"You're not a very good kisser. I expected more, given your extensive experience," I remark with a nonchalant shrug, patting his arm. "That's all. Carry on, go wallow and roll your eyes for the rest of the night." He grabs my arm, pulling me back into my seat. I grin and stand up again.

"Terrible?" He echoes, and I smile and nod, crossing my arms. "You seemed to have a different opinion when you were moaning my name."

"You did the same thing when you whimpered 'fuck' like a little girl," I respond, reveling in my newfound assertiveness. It's such a departure from our usual interactions. "Now it's your turn." I maintain my smile, feeling unusually fierce.

You're quite the chatterbox tonight, he remarks with a murmur, and I chuckle. "Why did you come over here, Julianna?" He raises an eyebrow. "We both know how that kiss felt, so what's your game?"

"I don't want anything else," I declare confidently. "You enjoyed our kiss, admit it." My lips purse slightly as I whisper. Then, with my hands folded, I add, "You kissed your quirky, irritating, dull roommate."

"And you liked it."

"I never claimed to enjoy it," he casually remarks, and I mimic his nonchalant shrug. The fact that he wouldn't acknowledge it didn't bother me. "And please lower your voice!" He chides me, prompting me to glance around and snort.

"Sure, because the music is so deafening that anyone within a 20-foot radius can hear us," I reply with an eye roll and a sigh. "Nightclubs are like the ocean, the sound just keeps carrying."

"Julianna, you drive me crazy! Can you please keep it down?" He grumbles as I roll my eyes again.

"At some point, we'll need to address this."

"Why can't it be here, with all our friends?" I scoff as he sighs.

The thought of our group of friends makes me smile as I recall what he said. "Both of us remember how that kiss felt," I say, a memory of being kissed by the most attractive person I'd ever met, and I know he felt something too.

As I spot a waitress approaching with a drink, I make a puzzled expression. She places it on a napkin and sets it in front of me. I shake my head. "This isn't what I ordered," I inform her, and she smiles in response.

"I know, it's from the guy at the bar," she whispers and points to a tall blonde man at the end of the bar.

Wow, he looked good. He resembled a Ken doll from a magazine, and he winked at me from across the bar.

"Are you sure?" I inquire, not entirely convinced it's meant for me, and she nods affirmatively.

"Yes, his number is written on the napkin." With a wink and the tray tucked under her arm, she walks away. Kent clenches his jaw once more, and I smile, thinking that this is a perfect way to get back at him for all the times he's rejected me.

"Well, it seems I won't be bothering you after all." I pick up the glass and slip the napkin into my pocket with a whisper.

"You can't be serious." I just shrug.

"What else would I be?"

"Julianna, you've been living with us for nearly two months. I know this isn't your usual behavior," he says, his voice clear. He was right; I typically didn't attempt to date or flirt with guys. I was definitely not the type to seek revenge, but maybe it was time to give it a try. Kent was evidently not an option, so I might as well give this guy a chance.

"You don't really know me," I reply, and he blinks at me as if I've said something nonsensical.

"Julianna—"

"Tell me why I shouldn't," I challenge, shrugging and crossing my arms. "Don't say he's a stranger," I add.

"I'd rather you didn't."

Well, he did say it. I couldn't let him off that easily, and I had every intention of approaching the person who sent me the drink.

"Fine," I shrug. Kent, you can't claim to want nothing to do with me yet simultaneously want no one else to see me.

He clenches his jaw in frustration, tapping his fingers on the table, and offers a resigned shrug.

"Okay, do whatever you want."

"Thanks for understanding," I mumble in irritation, rising from my seat and shaking my head. I try to put the unpleasant conversation behind me as I head over to speak with the person who sent me the drink. I take a leisurely stroll through the dance floor in an attempt to release some of my pent-up tension.

"Hello," I stand near the bar, offering a smile. He looks up from his drink and reciprocates with a smile. But then, my smile fades, and a sense of unease sets in. Why am I even talking to this guy?

"Hey," he replies with a smile. I'm not entirely sure of his age, but I think he's older than me. He has neatly gelled-back blonde hair and a well-maintained beard. "I'm sorry if that drink wasn't to your liking. I wasn't sure what you'd prefer."

"No, I'm sure it's great," I respond with a shrug, feeling a bit awkward.

"So, what's the deal with the guy you were sitting next to?" He leans in a little closer and asks, "Are you two dating?"

"No," I reply with another casual shrug, and he smiles. "I'm single."

"That's great," he smiles back. "I'm Dane."