The Roommate Pact: No Strings Attached

scent of expensive candles and the hushed tones of a professional concierge. The

a sleek gold-and-black key card. "Your roommate moved

g over the card. "Roommate? I th

hree-bedroom units were converted to shared occupancy for the fall semester due to the dorm renovations. The third be

't have the energy to fight it tonight.

ried in a rather elegant-looking instrument case. Couldn

prickle at the back of

red. "I'm living

t, the carpet so thick it swallowed the sound of his suitcases.

light tu

windows looking out over the city. The lights were low, only a single f

he sme

f a candle, but the soft, earthy smel

bs so hard it felt like it might bruise. He knew

uetted against the city lights. They were wearing an oversized

tood a black, har

from his grip. They hit the

und, a small gasp e

r eyes that always looked like they were holding a secret. The ti

on's voice was

went deathly pale, her hand flying to her throat. She stum

?" she w

The air in the room felt thick, like the

a year ago. She had blocked him. She had moved away. She had left

ning some of its sharpness. She crossed her arms over h

rain finally beginning to function

ffice said my roommate was 'B. Hampton.' For a split second, my heart stopped. But I told myself it was impossible. The Hamptons of Hampton Holdings

endon,"

diately took a step back. The movement

er voice trembling.

ding his hands up. "I swear to God, if I

ing with a sudden, familiar fire. "You wouldn't have

ng to evict y

rhythm of each other's heartbeats, now looking a

he violin case. "Yo

back at him, her expression harden

ar. Not that you'd know. You were too busy being

as a lie. He wanted to tell her that he had spent e

stopped him. It wasn't

he one who h