“Your ad said you were studious and responsible,” I say, hating how lame I sound. “I didn’t really picture, you know…you.”
He winces. “I know. I’m sorry. But it’s one hundred percent true. At least, it’s going to be. Last year things got a little carried away, I had too much fun, and it cost me. Not just my grades, but nationals. I should have won and—” He interrupts himself with the shake of his head. “That’s not important. The point is, this year is going to be a fresh start. I moved out of the frat house and I want to live with someone who wants the same things. Feel free to party your ass off wherever you want—just so long as it’s not here.” He laughs a little then, and I realize it’s the idea of me partying that he finds amusing.
Ha ha, Kellan, it’s a freaking cardigan, not a chastity belt.
“Sorry,” he says, reading the irritation on my face. “I, uh… I just thought it would make things easier for me and my roommate if there was no…temptation. Like, you know. To complicate things.”
I try not to let my jaw drop. Did he just call me ugly? Or at the very least, un-tempting?
“I mean—” He cringes and runs a hand through his hair. “Shit. I’m so bad at this. Just listen to me. I mean, I asked for someone studious and responsible so we could keep each other on the straight and narrow, you know? If you’re not bringing people here to party, and I’m not bringing people over, then we’ll just…study, right? And, I don’t know, watch the news and…read. Ugh.” His head falls back. “I’m such an idiot. I’m sorry, Nora, this must sound as appealing as prison. Basically I emailed with like, half a dozen people, and you were the only one who sounded any good at all. Like, normal and smart, with a sense of humor. And a strong stance on recycling.”
I smile reluctantly and he looks relieved.
“Come on,” he says, standing. “Let me give you the grand tour so I can try to keep my foot out of my mouth.”
I stand too, then neither one of us moves.
“Well,” he says, clearing his throat. “This is the dining room.”
I nod and try not to laugh. This whole thing is so stupid and weird. I’m not going to be roommates with Kellan McVey. Not only is he the antithesis of everything my ideal new roommate is supposed to be, we’ve had sex.
And he doesn’t remember it.
“This is the living room,” he continues, gesturing behind him. Because we’re pretty much already standing in it, neither of us moves, I just peer over his shoulder. There’s a wooden entertainment unit set up on one wall with an enormous flat screen TV positioned in the middle.
“Full cable,” Kellan adds when I don’t react. “Including HBO.”
I nod.
“Um…” He scratches his shoulder and points behind me. “That’s the kitchen. I know how to cook and I clean up, too. My mother was a housekeeper, and the last thing she wanted to do when she got home was clean up after four boys, so I know how to wash a dish and take out the trash. That whole bit was true in the email. I wasn’t just trying to lure you here.”
“That was a big part of your appeal.”
He smiles, and there’s the dimple again.
“Hand to God, I’m tidy. Let me show you the rooms.” He heads for the door closest to the kitchen. “They’re the same size, same layout. I already put my stuff in this one, but if you’d rather be in here, just say so and I’ll move over. Honestly, I think Crosbie just didn’t want to carry the mattress another three feet.”
I peek past him into the bedroom. It’s a decent-sized room that easily fits a queen-size bed, desk, and dresser, and a bunch of boxes that have yet to be unpacked. Given Kellan’s reputation, I’d kind of expected red walls, mirrored ceilings and zebra-print pillows, but maybe he’s serious about turning over a new leaf. Or maybe he just decorates his room like a normal person and not a porn king.
“Next one,” he says, opening the other door and showing me an identical unfurnished room. More hardwood, a large window that looks over the back parking lot, and bare walls painted white. Plenty of room for my things and good for studying— No, no. What am I doing? I can’t consider moving in here, even if the bathroom is surprisingly spacious. I’m going to endure the tour, tell him I’ll think about it, then go home and write a polite email declining the offer. Those other roommates weren’t so bad, were they? Even if two were thirty minutes away, one was a chain smoker, and the other had four cats.
This place is the cheapest too, given Kellan’s parents are the ones really covering the rent. And Kellan doesn’t have any cats and he doesn’t smoke, which I appreciate, and he says he washes his own dishes, which—No. No pro list for this place. Cons only.
“So that’s the tour.” Kellan steps back and takes a seat on the arm of the brown leather sofa positioned opposite the television. “And this is me. I swear I pay my bills on time, and I’m going to use this place to sleep and study, no parties. No girls. I know I said that in my email and you probably thought I was lying—”