“I wasn’t going to ask.” I raise my hands in surrender.
She’s thinking it over—weighing the pros and cons of the situation.
I’d love to know what her list looks like.
Mine is simple.
Pros: I get to spend more time with Calypso, the old ladies in town would act like we’re practically married, we’d see each other every morningandnight, there’s a small yard for Rosie, it would be a lot harder to ignore our attraction, and it gives me a real shot to show her how great I would be with her.
Cons: it’s going to hurt a hell of a lot more if she decides she wants to end this in December.
That’s four months away though, and living together for even three weeks could be all the opportunity I need to make Calypso mine.
Better yet, to becomehers.
“Three weeks isn’t horribly long,” she draws out slowly.
I grin. “I’m a great roommate.”
She raises an eyebrow in disbelief.
“Says every man who is actually the grossest slob ever,” Lexi retorts. “Not helping your case, dude.”
Calypso’s lips quirk. “Surprisingly, I believe him.”
My fingers nudge her hand that’s planted on the glasstop counter. “Thanks, but you don’t have to say yes. I promise, it’s okay.”
We’re quiet for a few seconds; even Lexi waits in anticipation.
“It’s fine,” Calypso finally says. There’s a level of resolve that wasn’t present a minute ago. “You’re welcome to stay with me.”
“Yesss,” Lexi quietly cheers to herself. “My job here is done.” She walks back to her books and down one of the aisles.
Calypso looks exasperated but most of that melts when she meets my eye. “Youdon’t have to say yes,” she insists.
“You would be doing me ahugefavor,” I say. “So if the invitation is open, I’m taking it, honey.”
She tries her best to hide a smile but the evidence is there for a few fleeting seconds.
“Things with Stefan have been pretty quiet since the missed call,” she says, sounding uncertain again.
They have been calm, and he hasn’t reached out to her again. No letters, no voicemails, nothing. We haven’t seen Ruby again either. It’s not something we like to spend a lot of time discussing, but neither of us is convinced he’s removed himself from her life. Not yet and not that easily.
“Are you worried it will get worse?” I ask.
She runs a finger along the countertop. “It could, if you move in.” She side-eyes me with a wry smile. “You trigger the fuck out of him.”
I grin, not bothered in the least. “Wonder why?”
She shrugs but her knowing smile makes me think she has the answer.
“So,” I start, “roomies?”
She grimaces, not loving that. “Don’t call it that, but yes.”
I smile and push off the counter. “Rosie and I can be there tonight.”
She grimaces when she remembers my dog, but little does she know, she’s turned my entire day around. Hell, my entiremonth.
