Roommates

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Four

Ren

A power couple. Amanda's words, not mine. Austin holds my hand as we ride a limo to his place. Austin is dressed in a black slacks, white linen shirt and a black jacket. He has the first two buttons of his line shirt undone, exposing his chest. Gosh, he's hot.

"You've got to stop checking me out, princess." He smirks at me and I blush.

I've got to stop blushing so much around him. Why does he have this effect on me? "You haven't called me that in a long time," I mutter under breath.

He raises an eyebrow. "Why? Keeping count?"

Amanda suddenly coos. "Awe. Look at you two, flirting or doing whatever it is you're doing. And look at me, third-wheeling."

The limo slowly comes a stop and back at the Lancer's residence. The driver gets out of the car and opens the door for us. Amanda goes out first and Austin follows. He holds his hand out and helps me out.

I smile at him and he smiles back at me. Amanda rings the doorbell and we wait for someone to answer. Austin leans down and whispers at my ear. "You look stunning, by the way."

I blush once more. I slap his chest. "You've got to stop making me blush," I tell him, laughing lightly.

He chuckles. "But I love making you blush."

The door opens a lady in a uniform and an apron answers it. She smiles at us. "Amanda and Austin Lancer," she bats her eyes at Austin. She glances at me. "And guest," she adds.

Austin frowns at her. "Ren Harper."

She gulps, "Ren Harper." She nods. She steps aside and gestures us to come in. "Your parents are already at the dining room."

Amanda walks ahead and Austin grabs my hand, intertwining his with mine. The lady stares at our hands as we walk in. I can practically feel her glares piercing through my back as we head to the dining room.

We head inside the dining room and Lucas and Liz stand up from their seats with open arms. "My children," Liz pulls Amanda for a hug.

Austin shakes hands with Lucas before Lucas smiles and nods at me. "Hello Ren. It's good to see you again," he says.

I smile back. "Likewise, Lucas."

Amanda moves to hug her father when Austin gives Liz a hug and a quick kiss on the cheek. She sees me and quickly pulls me into a hug. "Ren, darling, I've missed you!"

I laugh and hug her back. "I've missed you too, Liz. How are you?"

She pulls away with both her hands on my shoulders. "My daughter is here with us and Austin has found a girlfriend who I'm incredibly fond of, I'm grand, Ren."

"Please, everyone, have a seat." Lucas gestures at the table.

Austin and I sit next to each other. Liz and Amanda sit across from us and Lucas sits at the head of the table. People start to bring food in, placing it in front of each one of us. We start eating.

Liz tells Amanda about the famous people she had met on one of her business travels. I look between the both of them. Amanda looks a lot like Elizabeth. I mean, Austin looks like his mom but Amanda looks like an exact replica of Elizabeth.

"So I heard you've been doing well in your classes," Lucas glances at Austin.

Austin nods firmly. "I have."

Silence fills the room. Amanda is the first to break the ice, "Ren has helped Austin so much. Tutoring and helping him out with finals and midterms." I look at her and she smiles at me sheepishly, shrugging.

Lucas looks at me with his eyebrows raised. "Really? Wow. I never thought there'd be people patient enough for Austin."

I see Austin tense. He balls his fist and clenches his jaw. Without looking at his direction, I grab his hand under the table and squeeze it. I feel him relax a bit.

I shake my head. "I merely gave your son a little push. Besides that, it was all his doing. He studies on his own and does his projects and term papers."

Liz claps her hands. "I'm so proud of you, son." She beams at Austin and he smiles at her.

"So dad, how's the business going?" Amanda asks Lucas to change the subject. Thank you, Amanda.