by Nicole Casey
“I’ve got just the place in mind.”
Molly led me a few blocks down the road to one of the fanciest little bistros that I had ever seen. There was a cute little chalkboard leaning against the ironwork fence that surrounded the restaurant’s perimeter. I only needed to take a quick glimpse at the day’s specials to know that this place was well out of range for someone with my budget.
“Are you sure?” I asked. “You really don’t have to buy me–”
“I like to spoil my friends,” she assured me. She basically had to manhandle me to usher me toward the waiting hostess inside.
The hostess was a petite little thing, probably no older than twenty-one. She was decked out in a pink and red polka dot dress with a string of pearls around her neck and a headband in her hair that was adorned with matching pink and red hearts. She was practically a walking reminder that Valentine’s Day was around the corner, a breathing advertisement for the bistro’s drink specials geared towards happy couples. And in my case, a very depressed and busy single. The hostess grabbed two menus from behind her little podium and guided us to our seats next to the window.
“Can I get you two started with something to drink?” the hostess asked politely.
“Two mimosas, please,” ordered Molly.
With a curt little nod, the hostess left to retrieve our drinks. I opened the menu sitting before me on the table, doing my best to remain calm despite the staggering meal prices.
Twenty-five dollars for steak and eggs? They better be damn good.
“I told you,” started Molly, like she had been reading my mind, “it’s my treat.”
“Thanks,” I mumbled sheepishly.
“I get it, though. Moving’s a pain in the ass.”
“It really is,” I agreed with a nervous laugh.
“Your first day is tomorrow, right?”
“Yeah, it is.”
“You excited?”
“Heck yeah,” I giggled. “A little nervous, but I’ve worked too hard to let that get in the way.”
Molly chuckled, a fond look in her eye. “You already look like you need a vacation.”
I ran the pad of my thumb along the edge of the menu, distracted. “I wish I could afford to take a vacation. I have to pay off my student debts before I can even think about–” I stopped myself mid-sentence, suddenly bashful. “Sorry. You probably don’t want to hear a sob story first thing in the morning.”
Molly reached over the table’s surface and patted me encouragingly on the back of my hand. “Tell you what. Next time I go on a trip, I’ll bring you with me. I’d invite you to come with me tonight, but you’ve got a new job and all that.”
I frowned, confused. “Where are you going?”
“India,” she answered with a grin. “For my new video series.”
My jaw dropped in amazement, eyebrows shooting up in awe. “You serious? That’s amazing! I’ve always wanted to visit another country. How long are you going to be away?”
“Less than a month.” Molly winked at me, an amused glint in her eye. “I’ll bring back a souvenir for you and that crazy roommate of yours.”
I chuckled. “As much as I’d appreciate that, I don’t think Jenna would like it.”
“Why not?”
I chewed the inside of my lip. “She’s got a very specific sense of style. I put a potted plant on the dining table when I first moved in and she freaked out at me like I’d destroyed the place.”
Molly snorted, rolling her eyes. “This chick’s clearly crazy. Why don’t you just move out?”
“Believe me, if I could afford to, I would. But I need to save every penny I can.”
The hostess returned with our mimosas. The bright yellow-orange cocktail was presented elegantly in tall crystal champagne flutes, perfectly carved orange wheels garnishing the rims.
“Your server’s going to be with you shortly,” she explained before returning to the front podium.
Molly clicked her tongue, suddenly deep in thought. “You know,” she muttered quietly, “my little brother has a spare room. I could ask him to give you a good deal on rent, if you want.”
I shook my head, ever-aware of how warm my cheeks were starting to feel. “That’s alright. Living with Jenna’s not that bad.”
And I really don’t want any other distractions in my life, I thought to myself. I need to focus on work. Having a man around would only complicate things.
Molly shrugged a shoulder. “If you say so.”
We enjoyed a wonderful brunch together. Despite the pang of guilt that I felt for letting Molly pay, the steak and eggs really were delicious. It had been such a long time since I had eaten anything that delicious. The scrambled eggs were wonderfully fluffy, the steak was flawlessly seasoned, and the chilled mimosa was the perfect combination of fruity and bubbly to wash everything down. When we were all finished, I hugged Molly goodbye.
“Have a safe trip,” I told her.
She hugged me back, squeezing her arms around me. “And you have a good first day tomorrow. You’re going to kill it.”
It took me less than twenty minutes to walk home from the bistro. The streets were jam packed with cars, the sidewalks full of pedestrians. I could tell the tourists apart from the residents because they all had cameras around their necks and foreign flags stitched into their backpacks.
One day I’ll get there, I thought. I’ll become super successful and take vacations whenever I want.
I approached the front of my apartment complex slowly, noticing a young woman hurriedly tossing boxes down onto the curb. It was Jenna. And those boxes were mine. I rushed over, a sudden wave of panic washing over me.
“What are you doing?” I snapped.
Jenna rubbed at her temples, clearly stressed. “I can’t do this anymore.”
“Do what?”
“This,” she hissed, gesturing toward all my things that were now unceremoniously lying on the filthy New York sidewalk. “I said I was looking for a neat roommate. The classified was very explicit.”
“I am neat,” I protested, trying to gather up a few of my things in my arms before they could be trampled on by onlookers.
“I found one of your hairs in the drain!” she exclaimed wildly, clearly offended.
“Are you being serious right now?” I scoffed. “You’re kicking me out because there was a hair? In the drain? Where it can easily be washed away?”
Jenna put her hands up in front of her, as if to physically stop my words from reaching her. “I’m sorry, Tia, but I really just can’t. I’ve already transferred you your half of the rent and safety deposit, okay? I just–” Jenna let out a deep sigh before returning through the complex’s front doors and shutting it firmly behind her.
The sound echoed in my mind, along with the terrible rush of blood through my ears. What was I supposed to do? How could she do this to me? Jenna really was crazy and now I was homeless with no place to go. There was a terrible pressure behind my eyes, the early signs of a horrific migraine just seconds away. It wasn’t like I could just pick up my things and go home. I had a job to get to the next day. But there was no way in hell I was going to be able to find another apartment in time. Jenna had left me stranded with no alternatives and nowhere to turn to. Because of a hair. In the drain.
“Crazy bitch,” I muttered bitterly to myself.
I sat down on the front steps of the complex, resting my head in my hands. After a moment of silent seething, I reached into my purse and pulled out of my cellphone. I dialed Molly’s number, tapping my foot impatiently against the pavement. She answered on the third dial tone.
“Hello?” she greeted. She sounded out of breath, a little flustered.
“Hi, Molly. It’s Tia.”
“Hey, girl, what’s up?” Her words were rushed, a tinge of frustration behind them.
“Is this a bad time?”
“Er,” she stuttered, “sort of. Something went wrong with my flight and now I can’t find my gate.”
“I’m sorry to bother you,” I said quickly, worried that she’d hang up. “That offer from before. About your brother’s spare room? Do you think… Do you think I could have his contact information?” I sighed, mentally kicking myself. This was probably a bad idea, but what choice did I have?
2
Alex
I was supposed to be at work. But one of the benefits about working for family was that hard schedules rarely ever applied. Besides, the firm had no open cases for me, and I didn’t much feel like doing any busy work. I was lounging around in the living room, watching the baseball game on the massive flat-screen TV mounted along the wall. I didn’t know what the score was, didn’t care. It was just something to fill the time, to keep my thoughts off of Eliza. She had moved her stuff out this morning, leaving the place emptier than I cared to admit. The little teddy bear I had bought her for Valentine’s day was sitting in the trash, its ear peaking out like a taunting reminder that she left me.
It had been a very rare event. Like a freaking solar eclipse.
Just as I was about to reach for the cold beer bottle sitting on my coffee table, my phone started to ring. I fished the device out of my jeans pocket and checked the screen. The call was from an unfamiliar number. It couldn’t have been the firm, I reasoned, and it couldn’t have been Molly because she was probably on her flight by now. Who would call me in the middle of the day on a Thursday? Curiosity got the better of me.
“Hello?” I answered.
“Hi, er, is this Alex?” came a light, girly voice over the receiver. She sounded young, words high-pitched and melodic like a flute.
“Speaking.”
“Hi, um,” the stranger stuttered. “My name’s Tia. Your sister gave me your number.”
Tia. Could it be the same Tia Molly had mentioned last night? Was this a joke? Was Molly trying to pull a prank on me?
“You’re Molly’s yoga friend, right?” I asked, curious. “She mentioned you the other day.”
My head instantly filled with images of a young woman in dark skintight yoga pants, bent over in front of me as she stretched. I tried to imagine what Tia looked like. She sounded young. Maybe a little too young. Her voice made her difficult to place. I bet she had any amazing ass. Maybe she even had a skinny waist that I could wrap my arms around. I licked my lips, enticed by her sudden call.
“Yes, that’s me,” she answered. “Look, I know this is out of the blue, but I was wondering…” She trailed off, like she was thinking of the right thing to say.
“Yes?” I urged, slightly amused.
“I’m in a bit of a bind,” she answered. “My roommate kicked me out and I’ve got nowhere to go. Molly mentioned you had a spare room, and I was wondering if… Ah, shit, you know what? Sorry. This is silly. I shouldn’t have–”
“Wait!” I started after her. “No, it’s cool. I’ve got a spare room if you need it. It’s really alright. I mean, if you’re friends with Molly, I’m sure you’re cool. I can text you the address.”
Tia sighed in relief, the sound sending a chill up and down my spine. I was really starting to like the sound of her voice. I wondered what it would sound like moaning my name.
“Thank you so much,” she said quickly. “I really appreciate this.”
“No worries,” I chuckled charmingly.
“I’ll see you in a few minutes, I guess?”
“Let me know when you’re here and I’ll buzz you in.”
“Thanks.”
You like playing the role of the white knight. You need yourself a damsel in distress.
I snorted at Molly’s comment. I guess I really did have a type.
She’s too smart for you. Tia’s too career-driven.
A sudden wave of determination washed over me, living my chest feeling tight with anticipation. I felt oddly competitive, like I needed to win Tia over somehow. I chewed on the inside of my cheek, deep in thought. How was I going to play this? Was Tia really not the kind of girl to be won over easily? I was about to find out, and I was definitely up for the challenge.
I stood up quickly from the black leather couch and rushed toward my bedroom. I undressed quickly as I entered the en suite bathroom. I stepped into the shower and turned the water on, soaking my hair and my body before lathering with shampoo and soap. From what Molly had told me, I wasn’t Tia’s type. If this was going to work, I was going to need to shock and awe. I rinsed off quickly before stepping out onto the fluffy white bathroom mat. There was a towel waiting for me on the rack, which I snatched and wrapped around my hips without fully toweling off.
Beads of moisture clung to my skin, dripping down my chest and abs. I glanced at the bathroom mirror, admiring my work. There was no denying that I was cut. I worked out every morning for two hours, alternating most days between cardio and strength training. Keeping to a low-carb, high protein diet had resulted in chiseled, but bulging muscles. And it didn’t hurt that keeping this fit made me look extra fine in my suits.
I made my way back out into the living room in time to hear my cellphone ding. I picked it up, delighted to find a message waiting for me.
[Tia] I’m here.
My fingers flew over the screen.
[Alex] Come on up. I’ll leave the door unlocked.
I was surprised at how tight my chest felt, how quickly my heart was pounding with excitement. This was all just a game, and I was more than ready to play. I took a look around my penthouse apartment, noting how the spectacular view over Manhattan would no doubt impress my guest. A few minutes later, three firm knocks shook the front door. I walked down the front hallway and opened it, swinging it wide to welcome her.
And I was left absolutely floored.
Was this really her? Was this goddess lost somehow? Who gave her the right to look as good as she did? I suddenly felt a little ashamed for my state of undress, my do-no-wrong play going straight out the window. Tia was gorgeous. No word of a lie, she looked like she belonged on the cover of magazines. I didn’t know what I expected. The woman on the phone had sounded like a little girl, but the person standing before me was all woman. She had impeccable posture, no doubt thanks to all the yoga she does. Her beautiful long, thick, dark and curly hair draped over her shoulders like a gorgeous waterfall. It framed her face, drawing attention to her captivating blue eyes –blue eyes that are dilated and fully entranced by my form.
She shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot, managing a small smile.
“Hello,” she said softly. The girl on the phone. This really was her. “Are you Alex?”
“You must be Tia.”
“Yes.”
I stepped to the side, gesturing with my hand. “Come on in, Tia. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Her cheeks and the tops of her ears were an adorable shade of pink. She entered slowly, curiously taking in the apartment. I watched her form as she passed me, my eyes settling on her perfect ass. It was better than I had imagined. The yoga pants that she wore hugged her curves, hypnotizing me senseless. I could look at her all day. Out in the hall sat a brown suitcase, stuffed to the brim with contents. I decided to be a gentleman and dragged it inside before closing the door behind us.
“Is this all your stuff?” I asked.
“No,” she answered, her voice echoing off the minimalist walls of my apartment. “I’ve got a few more things downstairs. The doorman said he’d bring it up for me.”
“Ah, that was probably Joe. He’s a good guy.”
Tia stared out the window, glancing down at the busy city down below. She clutched the strap of her purse like it was a lifeline, clearly a little uncomfortable. She turned slightly to face me, avoiding eye contact as best as she could.
“So,” she started, “about that room.”
“Right, I can show it to you if you’d–”
“I’m sorry,” she interrupted bashfully. “Would you mind maybe putting on some pants or something?”
Right. I had been so distracted by Tia that I had completely forgotten.
“I’m sorry,” she mumbled. I don’t know why her words left me on such edge. Why was she apologizing? She had gifted me with her very presence, so her apology was entirely unnecessary.
“I’ll be one sec,” I told her as I hurried back to my room. I could feel her eyes on me as I walked away. Once behind closed doors, I shuffled through my drawers and pulled out a clean pair of jeans and a grey shirt. I slipped into them in a rush, using the towel to dry of the remaining dampness of my hair.
I returned to find Tia sitting on the living room couch, a deliciously long leg crossed over the other with her hands folded politely on her lap. She looked up at me, a faint eagerness in her eyes as she studied me from head to toe. I couldn’t tell if this was a good sign or not.
“Your place is beautiful,” she said kindly.
“Thank you very much,” I replied. “I’m quite proud of it.”
“Where are the rest of your housemates?” she questioned, glancing around for signs of my nonexistent roommates. The corner of my lip ticked upwards into an amused grin. She didn’t think I owned this place.
I tossed my head in the direction of the vacant room at the end of the hall –the room I had set aside for Eliza to use as her office space. “Would you like a tour?” I asked, blowing right past her question.
“Sure,” she answered sweetly, standing up.
The room was spacious, made even more so by the apparent lack of Eliza’s things. She had left the desk and shelves where they were, but she had taken the blackout curtains to leave the massive floor-to-ceiling windows completely exposed. Sunlight streamed into the room, highlighting the high speckled ceiling and soft beige carpeting.
“So this is it,” I stated. “Sorry there’s no bed in here. I can have something express shipped, if you’d like. Just pick something out and I’ll order it for you.”
Tia put her hands up in protest, shaking her head in profuse denial. “That’s really kind of you, but I really wouldn’t want to put you out.”