Rooming With Ethan | 18+

05. wink

“It can’t be him, Clara,” Rachel said, exasperated, “We live together. Besides, my dad and his dad are friends. My dad requested his dad, so I could live in his apartment.”

Rachel sighed, as she sat down in the café, taking a seat across from her best friend, Clara.

Clara raised an eyebrow, skeptical. “Really? Because every time you talk about him, you get this dreamy look in your eyes. And don’t even get me started on the way you fawn over him online.”

Rachel blushed, realizing that Clara was right. She had liked almost all of Ethan’s posts - pictures of him at the gym, at parties, even just selfies he took in the mirror.

“I might have a little crush on him. But I can’t do anything about it,” Rachel admitted, defeated.

“Why not?” Clara asked. “He’s obviously into you too. He follows you back on everything, likes your posts, comments.”

“He’s my roommate and kind of my landlord,” Rachel said, taking a sip of her coffee, “Anything goes wrong, he’ll kick me out.”

“And what if it doesn’t go wrong?” Clara countered, leaning forward. “What if it goes perfectly right? You live together, Rachel. It could be amazing.”

She fanned herself dramatically.
“Imagine, waking up to him every morning. Or coming home from class to find him half-naked.”

Rachel blushed, remembering that one time she did walk into him half-naked, only in his boxers, cooking pasta as he listened to classical music. Rachel was not supposed to be back at home early, that day. She was too lucky. She hadn’t been so lucky since then.

“See, you’re thinking about it!” Clara said, pointing at Rachel’s flushed face. “Just talk to him. Feel him out. Maybe he’s been waiting for you to make a move.” She winked. “Or better yet, just kiss him already.” She leaned back, smirking.

“No way I’ll kiss my roommate!” Rachel said, exhilarated. Someone cleared their throat nearby. Clara’s eyes widened.

Ethan stood behind Rachel, his tray of coffee in one hand. His face was unreadable.

“Ethan, oh god,” Rachel stammered, her face beet red. She felt like she was going to die. Clara looked mortified, “Ethan, I’m sorry, we were just talking about random stuff. Haha.”

Ethan’s gaze flicked between Rachel and Clara, then settled back on Rachel.

“So, you’ve been wanting to kiss me, roomie?” he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice. The café fell silent around them. Rachel wished a hole would open up and swallow her whole.

“No, no, that was just-” Rachel stammered. Then, she stopped as Ethan boomed in laughter.

His laughter filled the café, drawing curious glances from the other students. “Relax, Rach. I’m messing with you,” he said, wiping tears from his eyes. “For the record, though,” he leaned in closer, lowering his voice, “I wouldn’t mind if you did.”

Ethan winked, walking away with his coffee. Rachel watched after him, her eyes blinking.

Clara fanned Rachel with her hand, a grin spreading across her face. “Well, that was awkward. But also... really not. He basically just gave you permission to kiss him.” She paused, then giggled. “Or more.”

Rachel groaned, burying her face in her hands. “Ah, now I’ve totally screwed it up!”

“Screwed it up? Ethan seems pretty okay with it,” Clara pointed out, still chuckling. “Just go for it, Rachel. What’s the worst that could happen? He rejects you and you’re back to being roomies?” She shrugged.