CHAPTER FORTY EIGHT – A FEAR OF SPIDERS

The two roommates glared at each other in tense silence for several long moments, the only sound Boris's faintly undulating abdomen as he settled back down in the seeming safety of Gary's palms. Jasmine could feel her heart still pounding like a drum, a cold sweat beading on her brow. With a longsuffering sigh, Gary finally shook his head and began rising from the sofa...only to pause, his sour expression taking on a decidedly impish glint. "Very well, very well...if you insist on being such a big baby, I suppose I can indulge your arachnophobia. For now." Jasmine's shoulders slumped in visible relief, a ragged breath escaping her lips. "Oh thank you, thank y--" In one deft, fluid motion, Gary flicked his wrists and sent the massive hairy form of Boris sailing in a gentle arc straight towards Jasmine's head. "YAAAARRRGGHH!!!" Her shriek echoed through the apartment as she instinctively ducked and threw up her arms to shield herself. Boris landed with a disconcertingly solid THUM