The Roommate by Kiersten Modglin (best way to read books .TXT) 📕

“Almost done?” he asked, his gaze landing back on me.

“Yeah, almost.” I held up the folded shirt in my hand before stuffing it into the drawer. “Everything okay?” Had he really walked in without knocking? This was my room now, wasn’t it? The encounter felt strange to me, but I brushed it off.

“Yeah, I just finished up. I was going to go and grab some dinner. Do you want me to pick you up anything? I’m ordering from Etch.”

“Oh, yeah,” I said, standing up and walking across the room toward where my wallet lay. “Can you order me the lamb?”

“Sure thing. Want any apps? I’m going for the charcuterie board, if you want to share.”

“You don’t mind?”

“Not at all, roomie,” he said with a chuckle. I handed him three twenty-dollar bills.

“I appreciate it.” I’d been budgeting my meals lately, unless I was using the company card, but tonight I was exhausted and craving something that would send me to bed on a full stomach.

“Be back in a sec,” he said, waving the bills over his head and shutting the door. I heard his footsteps growing farther away before listening as the door shut and I was left alone.

Quickly, I emptied the rest of the box and stood up, walking over to hang the last few shirts on hangers in the small, square closet on the far wall. I slid the door open, the stale air hitting me.

There were a few boxes in the far corner that Elias had said he was leaving. I shoved them toward the back of the closet and grabbed a few of the spare wire hangers he’d left me, hanging up my suits carefully.

I couldn’t help dwelling on how bad my life had become as I made a mental note to purchase hangers that actually fit my suit jackets. Was this what rock bottom felt like? Broke, on the verge of divorce, going from having a house full of my possessions to a twelve-foot by twelve-foot room and only the mirage of enough closet space?

Once I’d maneuver the suits onto their hangers the best I could, I walked across the room, stacking the empty boxes together before I sank onto the bed.

Creeeaaak.

I groaned, closing my eyes as I focused on the tick, tick, tick of the overhead fan as it spun. This is only temporary, I repeated the mantra in my head. It would go back to normal. It wouldn’t be this way forever…

When I opened my eyes again, I jolted. “What the—”

Elias was standing at the foot of the bed, a plastic sack in his hand. “Sorry,” he said, though he didn’t sound sorry at all. “I was just going to put your food on the nightstand for when you woke up.”

I looked around the room, sitting up and rubbing my eyes. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”

“You were snoring. I didn’t want to disturb you; it looked like you could use the rest.” His blue eyes narrowed at me, and he placed the bag on the end of my bed, along with a few dollar bills and some change. I ran a hand over my face, letting out a yawn as I stretched.

“Man, I guess I am tired. I swear I just closed my eyes. Anyway, thanks for this.” I slid the bag of food and the cash toward me, shoving the change into my pocket and opening the bag.

He remained still, watching me as I unloaded the bag. I got the strangest inclination he was waiting for a tip, the way a bellhop would linger once they’d delivered your bags. “Are you all settled in?”

“Mhm. Yeah, everything’s unpacked. I didn’t bring too much, luckily. But I managed to get it all unpacked and put away.”

“Did you have enough closet space?” Somehow what should’ve felt like friendly conversation felt more like an inquisition.

“Yeah, it’s perfect. You have a really nice place here.”

His eyes traveled the room, as if he was realizing that for the first time. “It wasn’t all that nice when I moved in, but I’ve had a lot of time to get it fixed the way I want it. My friend lets me do whatever I want here. I basically own the place.”

“That’s cool…” The tension was palatable. What was he waiting for?

“Are you sure you have enough closet space? I never have enough, and I have one more dresser than you. I could clear out a drawer if you need extra room.”

The statement came across as strange, but he seemed earnest in the offer. “No, that’s fine. I’ve got more than enough room here. I didn’t bring too much, anyway.”

“The laundry’s downstairs, and there’s always a wait. You may want to bring everything you have.”

“Oh, no. I don’t want to do that yet, not if I’m going to have to pack it all back up in a few weeks.”

“You really think she’ll let you back that soon?” he asked, running his hand along the footboard of the bed.

“I hope so…” I said, feeling disheartened by the skeptical look on his face. “Anyway, what did you get to eat? You didn’t mention…”

His answer came in rapid-fire succession, all the sentences spilling out at once. “I got their lamb, too. I’ve never tried it, but it sounds amazing. Do you want to come watch TV? You’re welcome to. I’ve got Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max. I think I’ve got a coupon for a free Vudu movie around here somewhere, too…” He pointed toward the door. I desperately didn’t want to go out there. I wanted to be alone. To eat in peace and go back to sleep. But he was staring at me so hopefully, I hated to say no. Besides, he’d done so much for me, it just felt wrong to say no to such a nice gesture.

“Yeah, sure,” I said after a brief pause.

“Yeah?” His facial expression lit up. “Awesome. Okay, I’ll get us some beers.”

“Great. I’ll meet you in there