Read Online Roommate Wanted (Sharing Space #1) by Nina Perez - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Nina Perez
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Crystal and me when we were younger—and my framed original movie poster of Rear Window —which cost me a pretty penny on eBay—was a cherry wood entertainment center. It was divided into three sections. The top portion held three sleek black machines. I recognized two as a Blu-Ray player and a receiver. The middle section housed the biggest television I had ever seen in my entire life and, under that, the third section housed an XBOX 360 and a Playstation 3.
"Oh, yeah. I probably should have asked first."
I turned to find Patrick standing in the living room, freshly showered, hair gleaming wet, wearing jeans and a clean white t-shirt.
"Huh? Uh, no that's fine; I just didn't notice it before. Don't ask me how. I thought you said your furniture was more futon and milk crates."
"Well, you know. Boys and their toys.” He flashed a smile. I had the urge to put one of my fingers in his dimples, they were that deep. He strode across the room and carried one of the boxes to the kitchen, I assumed to unpack. I took the rest of my purchases to my bedroom and shut the door. I let out a deep breath as I plopped on the bed. There was a strange man making himself at home in my kitchen—our kitchen. I sat on the bed for several minutes wondering what to do next. What would I do if he wasn’t here, or what would I do if it was Grace?
If I were home alone I'd probably change into something more comfortable, put on some music, fix myself a drink, and contemplate a dinner plan. If Grace were here I'd be showing off the things I'd bought earlier and asking her if she wanted to do something that night. Could I do the same thing with Patrick? Well, if I couldn't it would be a long year. I debated for a moment or two longer then made my way to the living room. Patrick had unpacked all the boxes. They were now empty and stacked by the front door. He was sitting on the floor in front of the entertainment center placing movie and game cases inside the cabinet.
"Need any help?"
He looked up at me, surprised. "No, I'm almost done. Thanks though." He glanced at the framed photos on the wall. "So, you a big Hitchcock fan?"
I smiled. "I enjoy a few of his movies, but Rear Window is my all time favorite movie period."
"Mine too. I had to buy it on Blu-Ray. I think I played a hole in my VHS copy in high school.” We laughed. I sat on the couch and watched him continue to put his things away. There was silence for a few moments and then we both started to speak at the same time.
"Chloe, listen—"
"Perhaps now would be—"
Patrick smiled, "Ladies first."
"Well, what I was going to say was perhaps now would be a good time to set some ground rules."
"Okay.” Patrick rose from his spot on the floor and sat on the armchair opposite me.
Now that I had his undivided attention I didn't know where to start, so I plunged right in. "I have no right to tell you who you can and cannot have over. You have to understand that this is all new to me; I've never roomed with a man before. But male or female, I'd expect my roommate's guests to respect me and the apartment, just as I'm sure you'd want the same from my friends."
"Chloe, that's what I was going to say before. I'm sure you heard Max goofing off when you came in. He's not a bad guy, it's just that sometimes he doesn't know when to quit. He was joking and meant no harm, although I'm sure that made you feel uncomfortable. Nothing like that will happen again. I promise."
I was grateful that he had brought it up and appreciated the apology, though he didn't have any reason to be sorry. I told him as much.
"Yeah, but he's my friend. I feel responsible if he comes in here and acts like an ass."
"Paul seems nice," I offered, wanting to turn the conversation around.
"Oh, Paul's solid. He's good people." He paused, then said, "So, rule number one: All houseguests must show respect for the people who live here
"Oh, yeah. I probably should have asked first."
I turned to find Patrick standing in the living room, freshly showered, hair gleaming wet, wearing jeans and a clean white t-shirt.
"Huh? Uh, no that's fine; I just didn't notice it before. Don't ask me how. I thought you said your furniture was more futon and milk crates."
"Well, you know. Boys and their toys.” He flashed a smile. I had the urge to put one of my fingers in his dimples, they were that deep. He strode across the room and carried one of the boxes to the kitchen, I assumed to unpack. I took the rest of my purchases to my bedroom and shut the door. I let out a deep breath as I plopped on the bed. There was a strange man making himself at home in my kitchen—our kitchen. I sat on the bed for several minutes wondering what to do next. What would I do if he wasn’t here, or what would I do if it was Grace?
If I were home alone I'd probably change into something more comfortable, put on some music, fix myself a drink, and contemplate a dinner plan. If Grace were here I'd be showing off the things I'd bought earlier and asking her if she wanted to do something that night. Could I do the same thing with Patrick? Well, if I couldn't it would be a long year. I debated for a moment or two longer then made my way to the living room. Patrick had unpacked all the boxes. They were now empty and stacked by the front door. He was sitting on the floor in front of the entertainment center placing movie and game cases inside the cabinet.
"Need any help?"
He looked up at me, surprised. "No, I'm almost done. Thanks though." He glanced at the framed photos on the wall. "So, you a big Hitchcock fan?"
I smiled. "I enjoy a few of his movies, but Rear Window is my all time favorite movie period."
"Mine too. I had to buy it on Blu-Ray. I think I played a hole in my VHS copy in high school.” We laughed. I sat on the couch and watched him continue to put his things away. There was silence for a few moments and then we both started to speak at the same time.
"Chloe, listen—"
"Perhaps now would be—"
Patrick smiled, "Ladies first."
"Well, what I was going to say was perhaps now would be a good time to set some ground rules."
"Okay.” Patrick rose from his spot on the floor and sat on the armchair opposite me.
Now that I had his undivided attention I didn't know where to start, so I plunged right in. "I have no right to tell you who you can and cannot have over. You have to understand that this is all new to me; I've never roomed with a man before. But male or female, I'd expect my roommate's guests to respect me and the apartment, just as I'm sure you'd want the same from my friends."
"Chloe, that's what I was going to say before. I'm sure you heard Max goofing off when you came in. He's not a bad guy, it's just that sometimes he doesn't know when to quit. He was joking and meant no harm, although I'm sure that made you feel uncomfortable. Nothing like that will happen again. I promise."
I was grateful that he had brought it up and appreciated the apology, though he didn't have any reason to be sorry. I told him as much.
"Yeah, but he's my friend. I feel responsible if he comes in here and acts like an ass."
"Paul seems nice," I offered, wanting to turn the conversation around.
"Oh, Paul's solid. He's good people." He paused, then said, "So, rule number one: All houseguests must show respect for the people who live here
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