Fostering Chemistry – College Roommates Read Online Stephanie Brother

Categories Genre: Alpha Male, Erotic, Insta-Love Tags Authors: Stephanie Brother Advertisement

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To my surprise, that didn’t sound all that difficult. “I guess I can do that. After all, green beans come out of a can. Cheese comes pre-shredded, and I’ve made instant mashed potatoes before."

Hailey exchanged a glance with Tori.

"I was thinking maybe you could make real potatoes. Mash them yourself."

"Do I have to?" Yes, I sounded like a whiny little kid.

"No, but don’t you want to make a nice meal for your roommates?" Tori asked.

I thought it over. "Some of them," I said at last. "Does this guy have a video on making mashed potatoes too?"

"Yes. He does have a bunch that are fine dining, but he’s got those two that you need. That’s why I chose the shepherd’s pie. Brown the meat, make the mashed potatoes, and as you said, just pop open a couple cans of green beans."

I sighed. "You’re not going to make me go out and pick them myself?"

Hailey laughed. "I think it’s the wrong time of year."

I got an early start on Tuesday afternoon, but it took far longer than I thought to chop up the potatoes. I listened to music as I sliced, and it took so long some of the songs were starting to repeat. Fortunately, the hot-as-hell chef with abs for days had recommended a type of potato that didn’t need to be peeled first. That saved time.

It took three large pots to fit them all in, and it took a really long time for the water to boil even though I added a little salt to each pot.

Now I was working on the meat and seasoning it before I turned on the heat to cook it. So far, things seemed to be going like the hot shirtless guy said it would, but I didn’t quite trust that everything was going to work out right in the end.

Aaron and Evan had offered to help, but I was too self-conscious. Either this meal was going to be a success because of me, or a failure because of me—and if it was the latter, I didn’t want them involved in it.

Not that I thought everyone was going to judge me, but Tori had been right. I did want to make a good meal for my new roommates.

But nearly an hour later, I was near tears and ready to give up and order a bunch of pizzas. That’s when I called for reinforcements.

Aaron appeared so fast it was like he was beamed in.

“What can I do?”

I gave him a smile. "Ever mash potatoes?"

"A time or two."

Why the hell hadn’t I called him in before? "The ones in this pot seem ready. I’ve got this serving bowl, but I think we’re going to need more than one."

"Wow. That’s a lot of potatoes."

He rolled up his sleeves, washed his hands, and got to work wielding the potato masher. For a moment, I was mesmerized, watching the muscles in his forearms move.

But I was supposed to be working, too. Somehow, I managed to keep both pans of ground beef from burning and even managed to ask Aaron a question.

"You said Cody lived here last year, right?"

"Yes."

"Did he cook then?"

"No. Not once."

"Does he just not know how?"

Aaron paused, the metal potato masher buried under fluffy white starch. "It’s hard to say with Cody. He’s my friend, but I can’t claim to really understand him well. Diego made it clear that this year he has to, so it’ll be his turn next week. I’m sure he’s grateful that you gave him a week’s reprieve.”

My mind was still on Cody. “If he doesn’t cook, what does he eat?” On other days of the week, the rest of us made our own food.

“I think he eats on campus a lot. And when he’s here, he mostly grabs fruit or chips or a PBJ. Diego always makes sure to have ready-made food on the grocery list. Not just for Cody. A lot of us don‘t have much time for meal prep, so that’s why we enjoy Tuesday night dinners.”

As I added more seasoning to the ground beef, I sent up a little prayer to the universe that Aaron still felt that way after tonight’s meal.

After the meat was done, I divided it into two huge glass baking dishes, according to the shirtless chef’s instructions. I kept the sound off and read the captions so that Aaron didn’t notice me ogling the good-looking guy.

The drained green beans went in next along with some corn and peas. Then it was time for the mashed potatoes.

"Can I take these, and you work on the next pot?" I asked.

"Sure." He flexed his arms as if they were sore. "It seems like you have more than you need."

"Well, it’s the top layer—except for the sprinkled cheese—and I think it’s supposed to be thick."

He started on the second batch of potatoes while I scooped the first into the casserole dishes. It filled one and part of the second. When he finished the second batch, I covered the rest and started sprinkling shredded cheddar over it.

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