---- Chapter 24: Best Roommate Ever By the time Clara stumbled back through the door after dinner, it was already ten o'clock. She fumbled with the lock and was just about to kick off her shoes when she spotted Aaron still chilling in the living room. Aaron looked up at her coolly and asked, "Why so late?" Clara shrugged, "Went out for dinner with some friends. Leo's already asleep, right?" Aaron nodded, "He crashed at nine." "That's a relief. Thanks for holding down the fort." Clara wasn't exactly a heavyweight when it came to alcohol-usually just a single beer was her limit But tonight? She'd polished off an entire bottle. Now the booze was hitting her like a freight tain, her head spinning and foggy. All she wanted was to hit the bed and lie flat. "I'm heading upstairs first." As she climbed, her foot slipped on a step and she nearly took a nosedive. Aaron shot forward like lightning, bent down, hooked his arm under her knees, and scooped her up. The sudden feeling of weightlessness made Clara clutch his neck tight. She glanced up, ready to glare-but caught the flicker of anger in his eyes and instantly dialed down her attitude. "I didn't drink that much. I can walk." ---- Maybe it was the alcohol talking, but her voice came out soft and a little needy, almost like she was teasing. Aaron's heart skipped a beat. He lowered his gaze, the faint scent of booze mingling between them. Clara's cheeks were rosy, eyes glazed, lips slightly parted-somehow, she looked downright sexy. His heart softened, though his face stayed stone-cold. "Why were you drinking?" just... happy!" Clara squirmed, trying to wiggle free. q happy" Clara squirmed, trying to wiggle fi Aaron tightened his grip. "Don't move! I don't want you breaking your leg and dragging me to the ER." 'That shut her up. She rested her hands gently behind his neck and patted him. "Thanks! You're seriously the best roommate ever!" Aaron kept his steps steady as he carried her up to the second-floor landing and set her down. Clara darted into her room and slammed the door shut. Aaron chuckled to himself. Wow, she really was treating him like they were roommates splitting rent and everything. No wonder he'd given Aunt Paige money for groceries a few days ago, and Clara had refused, saying she already paid. So that was their system-rent split by whoever lived there, food expenses split by whoever ate. Fair and square. The next morning, Clara woke up feeling much better and headed downstairs to start breakfast. As she reached the kitchen doorway, she spotted a tall, lean ---- figure standing with his back turned-looks like he was cooking. Aaron turned around and said, "I made oatmeal." Clara blinked in surprise, then walked over to watch his strong, defined hands stirring the thick porridge with a spoon. Not bad atall! "You actually know how to cook?" Aaron didn't bother answering. Porridge was basic stuff anyone could make. "You feeling headache?" Leo squeezed in beside her. "Mommy, why do you have a headache?" Clara crouched to his level. "Had dinner with Ms. Sierra last night and drank a little. My head hurts a bit, but I'm fine now!" Leo pouted. "Why didn't you take me with you to dinner?" Clara felt a twinge of guilt. "Next time, I promise I'll bring you." Leo wrapped his arms around her neck and gave her a kiss, beaming. If you asked who'd been the happiest lately, it had to be Matt! Right now, he was waiting excitedly by the entrance of Riverbend Villas for his boss. Since starting this job, he finally got what it meant to have a normal 9-to-5. Regular hours meant he could cook candlelit dinners for his girlfriend and watch movies with her at night. Morning workouts together had their relationship flying high-they were happy, healthy, and totally in sync. At this rate, a wedding was just around the corner! Look, here comes the boss. Matt snapped open the backseat door and greeted, "Morning, Mr. Devereaux!" ---- His eyes casually scanned Aaron's face-calm, steady, no bad. vibes. Today was going to be smooth sailing. Matt thought to himself, "I might just be the person who wants Aaron to be happy more than anyone else on Earth." Aaron entered the office, booted up his laptop, and checked his schedule; a morning internal meeting, lunch with Mr. Morgan, then some indoor golf Mr. Morgan had arranged. Looks like work would wrap up by four. He pulled out his phone and messaged Clara on WhatsApp: "I'll pick up Leo from school this afternoon!" Just then, the office door burst open. Only one guy could storm in without knocking-Derek. "Aaron! You still got time to scroll on your phone?" Derek groaned, holding a pile of files. "Look at these! I'm drowning here!" Aaron tumed his laptop screen toward him. "Look, my schedule's jam-packed too." "Do you even have a heart?" Derek dramatically pointed at the screen. "That's your idea of busy?" Aaron shrugged. "Why make so much money if you don't take a litle break now and then?" Derek was shocked. Was this really the workaholic Aaron talking? "Aaron Devereaux? Saying stuff like that? Who are you? Are you possessed?!" Aaron said flatly, "What, the firm's bonuses aren't enough for you to buy a sports car? Or support a mistress?" ---- Derek was speechless. Then his tone flipped. Only one explanation: ".. You're actually married?" Even though he wasn't there, the law firm gossip mill had exploded that day. Matt had been sworn to secrecy, and everyone else was left to guess. Aaron said, "Yeah." Derek asked, "And you really have a kid?" Aaron: "Yeah." Whoa! That was some serious news. Derek fired off questions like a machine gun. "Who? When? Howd you meet? Was it forced or your choice?" Aaron stood and headed to the meeting room. "Sounds like you're just bored." Derek followed, jabbering nonstop, "Where do you live now? When can I visit? ..." At four sharp, Aaron arrived back at Riverbend Villas. Matt waved goodbye, silently wishing, "Hope you eat well, sleep well, and have a great night." Leo saw his dad and exploded with excitement, chatting nonstop: "Daddy, check out my little pinwheel! We made it in kindergarten craft class, and it spins super fast!" "Daddy, lunch was chicken drumsticks and fries-so good!" "Daddy, ie and I raced today, and I won first place!" Aaron thought to himself, This kid talks more in one day than I ---- ever did as a kid. The two of them changed into their sports clothes, then headed downstairs to the community basketball court to shoot some hoops. Boys needed their exercise-gotta work up a sweat. Clara came home and heard Leo laughing from the second-floor shared bathroom. She slipped into slippers and went upstairs, finding Leo soaking in the tub. Aaron, wearing fresh white basketball gear, was washing Leo's hair. Seeing Mom come in, Leo cheered, "Mom, come wash my hair!" Clara crouched by the tub, teasing, "Wasn't our lite man supposed to wash his own hair?" Leo whined, "Just this once! Tomorrow I'll do it myself" "Okay, okay!" Clara rolled up her sleeves. Aaron stepped aside and stood behind her. Clara's fingers were slender and clean, nails trimmed short and healthy pink. She poured some shampoo and gently massaged Leo's hair, but Leo kept splashing water, soaking Clara's face and clothes in no time.