Chereads / Under One Roof / Chapter 5 - Chapter 5

Chapter 5 - Chapter 5

The months flowed by effortlessly, and Kieran and I found a rhythm that felt both comfortable and fun. We clicked as roommates and bonded as friends, our days filled with lighthearted jokes and easy banter that made having him around feel natural and refreshing. Lately, he'd been joining me for breakfast more and more, turning casual mornings into easy, shared rituals. At first, it had just been a convenience—he was up, I was up, and it made sense to eat together. But somewhere along the way, it became something I looked forward to. I wasn't sure when the shift happened, but I found myself lingering over my coffee a little longer, savoring the moments of quiet conversation before the day truly began. There was something reassuring about his presence in those early hours, a steadiness I hadn't realized I needed. It wasn't something we planned, but it had quickly become a habit—one that neither of us seemed in a hurry to break.

This morning, we were sitting together for another breakfast session. The sun streamed in through the kitchen window, casting a warm glow over the table. The quiet hum of the city outside mixed with the soft clinking of dishes as I moved around the kitchen. "Eggs okay for you today?" I asked him, glancing up as I reached for the carton, my fingers brushing the cool surface.

Kieran leaned back in his chair, a playful grin spreading across his face. "As long as you don't burn them this time, chef," he teased, tapping the table lightly with his fingers. "But yeah, eggs sound good."

I rolled my eyes, pretending to take offense. "Excuse me, I'll have you know I'm a great cook. If anything, you should be paying me extra for this five-star experience."

Kieran chuckled, leaning forward slightly. "You could try, but then I'd have to start charging you for my jokes and charm. Trust me, it'd cost you way more."

I smiled at him and let my gaze linger on his face a little too long before resuming cooking. There was something about mornings like this—something unspoken but undeniably present. "You know," I said, "I think I've spoiled you too much as a roommate. Maybe I should be charging you more."

Kieran smirked, resting his elbow on the table. "You mean for the privilege of my company? I think I'm the one doing you a favor, honestly."

I scoffed, flipping the eggs in the pan. "Right, because listening to your endless commentary is such a luxury."

He laughed, the sound rich and warm. "Exactly. See? You get it now."

Inwardly, he couldn't help but notice how easily the words rolled off his tongue around me. His fingers drummed lightly against the table, as if trying to release some of the tension coiling in his chest. He hesitated for a fraction of a second before speaking again, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face. Careful, Kieran, he thought, his gaze flickering briefly to my profile as I focused on cooking. She's not just your roommate, and there's Nate to consider. But damn, she makes it so easy to forget boundaries. The air between us felt light, but beneath it was something else—something he wasn't entirely sure he was ready to name.

I plated the eggs and placed his dish in front of him, our fingers accidentally brushing as I set down the fork. I felt the slightest jolt of awareness pass between us, my breath catching for half a second before I shook it off. The warmth of his skin lingered longer than it should have, sending an unfamiliar thrill up my spine. My fingers twitched slightly, an instinctive urge to pull away clashing with the quiet desire to stay in that fleeting moment just a second longer. I forced a light laugh, masking the sudden shift in my heartbeat, and focused on setting down the plate as if nothing had happened. "Here you go, your highness. A breakfast worthy of your charm tax."

Kieran raised an eyebrow, his grin turning mischievous. "You know, if you keep taking such good care of me, I might never move out."

I smirked, trying to keep the mood light despite the odd flutter in my chest. "You better stop flirting with me, otherwise Nate will combust on the spot if he hears this."

Despite my teasing tone, there was a warmth beneath my words—a quiet acknowledgment of the energy between us. Kieran's smirk faltered for just a second, his fingers absently tracing the edge of his plate before he looked up at me again. His eyes held something unreadable, something fleeting, but it sent a strange thrill through me. For a brief moment, it felt like we were both standing at the edge of something unspoken, neither of us quite willing to name it. I brushed it off quickly, focusing on the stove, but I couldn't ignore how effortlessly he made these moments feel special. My hands busied themselves with clearing the counter, but my mind lingered on the way Kieran's eyes had flickered with something unreadable for just a moment too long.

Kieran leaned forward, resting his chin in his hand. "What Nate doesn't know won't hurt him. But I'll behave—for now."

Still, a flicker of something more serious settled in his chest. Sharing these mornings with me felt too natural, almost intimate in a way he hadn't expected. There was a warmth about me—an ease that drew him in and made it harder to keep his distance. He masked the feeling with his usual charm, keeping the mood light as his heart betrayed him quietly.