Dear Roomie (Rookie Rebels #5) - Kate Meader Page 0,31

beyond. Today’s my day off but I have practice tomorrow, 10 to 1, again the next day, then a home game on Sunday night. Are you available?”

Just like that. Rich people were used to buying their way out of their problems. Hot people, too.

Of course, right now, she was ripe for purchase seeing as she had problems of her own.

“Sounds like you need someone here 24/7.”

“Yes, it does. Do you live nearby? My schedule is pretty structured and I usually know far in advance where I’ll be. We can plan this to the hour.”

She wasn’t big on all this structured time and she did have other clients. But mostly she had a different problem that only he might be able to fix.

“I can be at your beck and call but I need to ask something first.”

“Okay.” His tone was suspicious.

She took a deep breath and steeled her spine. “Could I move in here?”

11

Reid didn’t say a word. So he wasn’t the most talkative of guys, but he definitely had opinions. She had heard them.

Only now, zilch.

“Did you hear what I said?”

He crossed his arms and assessed her in a way she felt to her toes. “Why do you want to live here?”

A thinker before he spoke, apparently. Fine, fine.

“You might recall that lovely argument a few days back that led to a customer complaining at your encouragement and me losing my job?” It never hurt to remind him of his part in her imminent financial ruin. “Well, that was about my living situation. I need to find another place to live for the next seven weeks and the schedule you’re describing for Bucky is basically full-time. It would make more sense if I’m on-site and as I also need a roof over my head, I think this would solve two problems with one stone. Or however it goes.”

This explanation was met with silence. So he needed more. Reid was the kind of guy who didn’t make decisions impulsively.

She geared up for her next argument. “Sure, you don’t want anyone living here, especially a complete stranger, but I stayed for the last two nights and I didn’t throw any wild parties or anything. The only thing I did that you clearly don’t approve of is move a couple of mugs around and use your epic shower. If you set the ground rules, then I won’t do anything that pisses you off. Also, I can keep things ticking over here. Get groceries, do your laundry, clean up.” She looked around. “You like it neat. I can make sure it stays that way. And you can deduct a room and board fee from my wages.”

“Okay.”

“I would definitely stay out of your hair when you’re around. I have some other commitments I can work around so I can be gone when you need space or stay in my room—”

“I said okay.”

“What?” She stopped pacing—only now realizing that she had been pacing—and gave him the Reid treatment. A burner of a stare.

“I said you can stay here. Perhaps not forever, but we could try it while you’re looking for another place.”

She would be gone by the end of the year and if she played her cards right, she could stay here that entire time. Resolved to keep that to herself for now, she rushed forward and threw her arms around him. “Reid, that’s amazing. Thank you!”

When he didn’t return her affection, she stood back. “Sorry. Not a hugger. Got it.”

Color flagged his cheekbones and something funny happened to his nostrils. Wow, he had not enjoyed that.

“I’ll definitely look for another place,” she rushed on to cover the awkwardness. “And I should be able to rearrange my yoga classes around your schedule.”

“You teach yoga?”

“Occasionally. These days I’m teaching it to the old folks at Larkvale Senior Living.”

“And you walk dogs? And serve coffee? Well, you did.” Maybe he was rethinking the offer to let her stay. Some people were distrustful of in-your-face poverty, thinking it signified laziness. Nothing said poverty more than multiple part-time gigs.

Best not to tell him about the art class modeling. “Yep. I like to keep busy which is why I will not bother you when you’re here. You won’t even know I’m on site except for your neater-than-neat apartment.”

“You don’t have to convince me,” he said, though he sounded far from convinced. “I said yes.”

He had. So why was she still trying to argue her case? Likely trying to persuade herself this was a good idea. She had little choice. She just