I glance over at Blake when he doesn’t say anything. He’s glaring at Taylor for some reason, but Taylor hasn’t noticed.
“And this is the guest bedroom that you’ll be sleeping in.”
Taylor steps across the hall into the empty bedroom.
“Wow, this is a nice size,” I say.
I step around the room, feeling hopeful. This place is promising.
“You said the rent is six hundred, right?” I ask.
“Yup, and that includes internet, electricity, and utilities. And if you need help moving in your stuff, I’m happy to do that,” Taylor looks between Blake and me. “Unless your boyfriend’s planning to help you.”
“Oh, Blake’s not my boyfriend. We’re just friends.”
Taylor smiles. “Oh. Great.”
I notice Blake isn’t smiling. He looks annoyed and a little mad, which is kind of weird. He’s hardly ever in a bad mood.
“I do have a few house rules,” Taylor says.
“Yeah, of course. What are they? No meth labs, I’m assuming?” I joke.
He chuckles. “I figured that goes without saying. But, um, I don’t like for people to have overnight guests.”
“Oh. Okay.” That’s kind of random, but this is his house. He can have whatever rules he wants.
“Why not?” Blake says to him. His tone is harder than normal.
Taylor’s brow lifts slightly, like he’s caught off guard. “Sorry, what?”
“Why can’t she have someone stay overnight in her own bedroom?” Blake says, his gaze hard as he looks at Taylor.
Taylor clears his throat. “I’ve just had a bad experience with past renters letting their significant others stay for multiple nights in a row. It starts to feel like having a third roommate who doesn’t pay rent.”
“She already told you she’s not seeing anyone, so what’s the issue?” Blake says curtly.
I lean back, caught off guard by how serious and hard he sounds right now.
Taylor lets out a chuckle like he’s embarrassed. “You’re right.” Taylor turns to me. “I guess that won’t be an issue with you.”
Blake studies the doorknob, then the door frame. “She needs a lock on her door,” he says.
“Excuse me?” Taylor says, like he’s offended.
He pins Taylor with a hard stare. “She needs a lock on her bedroom door,” he says again.
“Why?” Taylor’s tone is indignant.
“For safety. You’re a stranger. She doesn’t know you. Her bedroom should be a safe place for her.”
Taylor purses his lips like he’s frustrated. “Are you trying to say I’m a danger to my own potential tenant?”
“Maybe. You’re trying to police who she wants to have over, and you don’t seem on board with a lock on her door, something that’s totally reasonable for her safety. That’s kind of a red flag, don’t you think?”
Taylor shakes his head and laughs like he’s annoyed. He glances off to the side. “Your friend’s a little intense,” he mutters.
A protective feeling swoops through me. I don’t like how he’s trying to dismiss Blake’s concerns.
