The Temporary Roomie by Sarah Adams
“You know,” says Henry, coming back to the table to set a cup of hot tea in front of me after the snake fiasco. Drew is outside loading up the car before we head to my grandaddy’s house, and given the look on Henry’s face right now, I hope Drew comes back any second now because it seems like I have a feelings speech on the horizon. I’ve seen this look before in the salon when my clients want to share with me their tricks to catch a man, or how they’ve kept a happy husband in bed for 30+ years. (It’s actually not as dirty as you might think—all you have to do is feed him a pot roast and mashed potatoes, apparently.)
“I couldn’t help but hear you yelling for Drew not to look at you while you were…uh…in the shower this morning.”
Oh shoot.Of course he heard me and thought that was strange. Before I can open my mouth with an excuse, Henry leans over and squeezes my hand.
“No need to get embarrassed. I completely understand. Although I’ve never been in exactly your situation, I have been the listening ear to many, many of my pregnant friends over the years, and I know it must be hard to let your man see you in the nude when your body has changed so much.”
My worried expression clears. He’s not suspicious that Drew and I have been faking our relationship and today was literally the first time he’s ever seen me without my clothes—he just thinks I’m shy about my baby body. Okay, I can work with this. Also, I choose not to wonder why I care so much if Henry knows Drew and I are not really together. It’s not like anything bad would come of it or he’d out Drew to all his colleagues. Drew is going to have to tell everyone eventually anyway—that was the whole point of this prank, to force Drew into a humiliating situation. And yet…I want to protect him.
“It is hard,” I say, mustering up pretend emotion to really sell it. “I don’t even feel like myself anymore.” And that part isn’t even a lie. It’s hard to look in the mirror with this belly and hips and boobs and find the woman I once was. I’m sure she’ll be back one day, but for now I feel totally different.
My mind wanders back to Drew telling me he saw everything and thought I was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. My cheeks heat just thinking of it. I won’t lie, that was a concern for me—Drew and me developing feelings for each other and taking things to the next level. How do you even begin to date someone at this phase of life? I’m about to have a child. Drew has never known me not pregnant. And then I can only imagine what things will be like down south after the baby comes out. It would be so weird to start dating now. Wouldn’t it? But then again…he saw me naked and thought I was beautiful as is, and with his profession, it’s not like anything would be a shock to him. He knows what he would be getting into. So how am I supposed to feel about that?
“I know you don’t, but believe me, you’ll bounce right back after the baby comes, so you’ve got nothing to worry about. And letting your fiancé see you like this is one of the greatest joys you can give your man.” I can feel my face turning into lava. This feels like a very personal conversation to be having with my fake boyfriend’s mentor’s husband. “The way Drew looks at you…it’s like you hung the moon. And I’m sure he loves nothing more seeing the woman carrying his baby in all her glory.”
Henry is beaming, but I am slowly deflating. His words have kicked me in the stomach.
This isn’t Drew’s baby. No, this child belongs to a man who had no interest in seeing me in all my glory.
Henry misinterprets my sudden emotions. “Oh sweet thing, don’t cry. Drew loves you just as you are.” Henry chuckles happily, but I can’t handle it anymore. I pull my hand from his and wipe my tears with the back of my hand.
At that same moment, Drew comes back in the front door. “You ready to roll, Jessie? The car is all—” He stops talking when I quickly push the chair out and stand.
“Sorry! I have something in my eye. I think it’s a bug! Don’t worry about me! I’ll be fine. I just need to…” My voice cracks on a sob. “Get the bug out!” I move as fast as my feet will carry me back to the bedroom.
