Stealing Kat

Debating whether to leave the room, I decided to try calling Jenny. Straight to voicemail. “Hey,” I whispered. “Call me back when you can.” I tried Carol again. Nothing. I couldn’t stay in the bedroom forever. I headed downstairs. Brynn was sitting on the couch—in tears. I hesitated. “What’s going on?” She sniffled and patted the spot beside her. “Is everything okay with Carol?” She nodded. “You heard from her?” “Not yet.” “Then what’s wrong? Is it Jenny?” She shook her head. “It’s you.” “It’s me? What did I do?” Her blue eyes were filled with a confusing mix of emotions. “You stole my heart before I ever had a chance to see if you would give me yours.” Oh fuck.This was almost as bad as something happening to Carol and Jenny. Brynn stared at me intensely. “I’m sorry if I’m making you uncomfortable,” she said. “I—I just don’t know what to say.” “I really wanted to go to lunch with you that day,” she said. “It was an assignment down in another town that took my attention away.” “We still have lunch often, Brynn.” “Yeah, but you know what I mean. It’s not the same. Roommates may be better than nothing because then at least I get to see you, but it’s not the same.” I stared, shocked. “Are you saying you only moved in with us to see me more often?” Ignoring that, she said, “By the time I returned and had a chance to see you again, you’d already cozied up to Carol. I have to wonder how a plain-looking chick like her with a dumpy body could steal your heart.” “Relationships are more than looks, Brynn.” Seeing her expression change from sadness to joy and confidence in a split second sent chills through me. “Now it’s just you and me,” she said. “Just you and me, babe.”