Page 83 of Septembers

so her room is yours

Jordan tutted. “You really need to start capitalizing proper nouns.”

“Can you focus please?”

“You’re a university graduate, Theo.”

I’ve already responded to a few ads.

so tell them youre spoken for

I don’t know where I’ll be working. It might be far from Kensington.

thought you had a job lined up

It’s not official.

ok keep me posted

If you need to find someone right away, go ahead. I won’t be insulted.

no worries

Ill wait for u

“Um…” Jordan bit her lip. “This seems like he’s trying to politely decline without hurting your feelings.”

“I know.” He took the phone back and reread the conversation, trying not to take it personally. Maybe Dae had gotten used to living on his own and didn’t want to have a roommate again.

“So then put him out of his misery.” She typed out a message and handed it back to him. Hey I found someone to live with. Good luck in your apartment hunt!

Theo deleted it. “I said I’d wait for him. If we’re reading this conversation wrong, I don’t want to take the option away.”

Jordan took a deep breath, then another one. It was rare she had to psych herself up to say things. “About what I said the other day⁠—”

“That was the other day, and now it’s today. Let’s never speak of it again.”

“Theo.”

“Please, Jordan? It makes my stomach hurt.” He knew what road she wanted to go down. He’d thought about nothing else since she’d left. But it was fine, because what happened with Nick had been a wakeup call. He’d been reminded of the disaster he always left in his romantic wake, and he vowed that nothing like that would ever happen again. He’d be careful. He’d protect…well, anyone who needed to be protected.

“Fine,” Jordan said, sounding too exhausted to argue, “but start searching for a new roommate just in case.”

He helped her lug the suitcase down the stairs, and when she was safely in a cab, he texted Dae.

No pressure about the room whatever you decide is cool

He responded right away, which was strange, considering it was almost midnight there.

I’ll take it.

YES

the boys are back in town

so the job is official

Yes.