degree in communications, assuming I’d move to New York City, work for a fancy ad agency, and become friends with Angelina Jolie’s kids or something. Every day, I’d eat lunch on the stairs of the MET just like Blair Waldorf. Instead, I chickened out, stayed in Texas, and moved three hours south of where I spent my entire adolescence. To some, this may seem like I’m lacking the adventurous spirit, but have you been to New York City? That shit is not for everyone. I am not capable of witnessing a huge rat scurry across the sidewalk in front of me like it’s a normal occurrence. Nope. At least the vermin in Texas know to lurk in the bushes until I’m good and gone.
Unfortunately, staying here limited me in terms of jobs. While I do technically work at an ad agency, it’s only as the office manager. When I first started out, I assumed it’d be a good way to get my foot in the door. Little did I know it’s very hard to get promoted once you’re dubbed admin girl.
That aside, I like living in Austin. It’s filled with an eclectic mix of people. We’ve got greenbelts for hiking and stunning views of the hill country right outside our condo. Also, stunning views of Aiden lifting his cereal spoon to his mouth.
“What?” he asks, demanding to know why I’m staring at him.
“You have milk on your face,” I lie, pushing back from the table.
You would think my infatuation with him would be old news. We’ve lived together for two years! He’s heard me accidentally toot when I (wrongly) assumed it was going to come out of my butt silent. I’ve accidentally seen him naked and lived to tell the tale. And that tale is lengthy. Very lengthy. Wink wink.
It shouldn’t have worked out, us moving in together.
In the beginning, it made no sense.
My parents were not thrilled.
A few weeks after my sister’s wedding, I packed my bags to head to Austin.
“Why don’t you live with one of your girlfriends from college?” my mom asked. “Or I’m sure Jolie knows people in Austin. I have a friend at the club, Deanne—I think her daughter lives there. Why don’t we try to set something up with the two of you?”
I didn’t want to hear any of her suggestions. I’d already made up my mind the minute I called Aiden. It was a brief exchange. He was at work and couldn’t talk for long. I asked him if he was still looking for a roommate. He was. I asked if he’d consider me moving in with him. He made me agree to the stipulation that I wouldn’t shatter any champagne flutes in the condo. Bada bing, bada boom—we had an arrangement.
“Mom, Aiden offered me a place, and I’d be silly to turn it down. The location is great. It’s ten minutes from my new job, and we know him. He’s James’ brother. If I can’t trust him, who can I trust?”
My dad sat me down and made me swear to lock my bedroom door every night. It’s like they thought Aiden was going to maul me upon arrival. Hello! That’s the dream, people!
They didn’t need to worry.
I still remember the first day I showed up, bags in hand. I knocked on the door, and a girl answered.
“Oh hi, can I help you?”
She was looking at me like she wanted to throw me off a boat.
“Hi, um…” I took a step back to review the numbers on the door. “Does Aiden live here?”
“Yeahhh…” she said, drawing the word out slowly. “He’s in the shower though.”
“Oh, right. Okay. No worries. I’m actually his new roommate.”
“Roommate?”
I adjusted the strap on my bag to distribute the weight better across my shoulder. It was starting to get heavy.
“Yes. Could I…?”
I gestured for her to open the door and let me in, but she didn’t.
“Let me just go ask Aiden,” she said with a smile that looked more like a sneer.
Cool! I’ll just wait out here with all my bags! No worries!
She slammed the door in my face and disappeared down the hall. I expected her to return a few minutes later, but she didn’t.
I knocked on the door again, but that time, no one answered.
Shit. What am I going to do now?!
Then I remembered I had Aiden’s number, so I called him.
He answered quickly enough. “Maddie, hey. Are you here?”
“Yup, standing outside your condo actually. I asked your friend to let me in, but I think she…err…forgot