Page 57 of Let’s Be Real

“Kelly and I are going to look at apartments tomorrow. I’m hoping she finds one she likes so we can get her moved in ASAP. But even if she doesn’t, we can’t keep staying with Nate.”

He folded his arms over his chest as we inched forward in line. “I doubt he minds. He’s pretty easygoing.”

“He is, and if he were my real boyfriend, I wouldn’t feel so bad, but we’ve invaded his life.”

Adrian chuffed. “The assholes you’ve dated, no way they’d put both you and Smelly up for over a week.”

“I don’t know if that’s true…”

He raised a brow. “Can you picture Douche welcoming you with open arms?”

Sadly, I couldn’t, but I wasn’t admitting that to Adrian. Not that I had to, since his question had been more rhetorical than anything.

I ordered my banana-blueberry smoothie, and Adrian asked for his usual kale monstrosity. He paid for mine, and I didn’t protest. He was chivalrous in that way. If I ever took my wallet out around him, I’d be on the receiving end of his ire.

We sipped and strolled, heading in the direction of his building. On the way, we stopped at a boutique, where I bought something I hoped would help Nate sleep, though I didn’t tell Adrian who it was for. Otherwise, he would have insisted on paying for it too, and I wanted this to be from me.

He rode the elevator with me up to Nate’s apartment without asking. Nate was sitting at his island, his laptop open in front of him. As soon as the door opened, he turned toward us…almost like he’d been waiting.

“Look who I found,” I announced.

“I followed her home,” Adrian deadpanned.

I ruffled his hair. “Like a lost little puppy.”

He ducked out from under my hand and went to the island, giving Nate a clap on the shoulder. “Spending your Saturday working?”

Nate closed his laptop. “As if you’re any better. You’ll both be at the club tonight.”

I plopped on the stool beside Nate and slid my smoothie toward him. “I can’t drink anymore. You finish it.”

He picked it up and lifted the lid to give it a sniff, then put the lid back on and took a long pull from the straw, apparently finding it satisfactory.

“Thanks.” His eyes drifted down to my bare legs. “Good class?”

Adrian and I replied at the same time.

“Great class.”

“It was bullshit.”

Nate chuckled, his eyes ping-ponging between us. “Somehow, I believe you both.”

Adrian put his hands on his hips. “Really? A week living with Sammie and she’s got your loyalty? Did you forget the old adage, blood is thicker than water?”

“He said he believes us both,” I reminded him.

Adrian narrowed his eyes at me. “Enough of you. I can’t have you siding with each other. This living together situation needs to come to an end. Very soon.”

I laughed. “I’m sure Nate agrees with you on that.”

“There’s no rush,” Nate replied, as Adrian had predicted. “Our schedules are so opposite, it’s almost like you’re not here.”

“Except now. And I dragged your grumpy brother with me.” And of course, last night. I’d very much been here last night.

Adrian huffed with faux annoyance. “I dragged myself, Samuel.”

“Shut it, Andrea.” Then I smiled at Nate, who was watching us with a glint of amusement. “Speaking of annoying siblings—”