this work. I had a plan, a to-do list, and the ability to place checkmarks on that plan. I could make things work.
“Seriously, though, why do you look so nervous?” Nessa asked, the humor in her voice gone, now replaced by worry.
I smiled, hoping it reached my eyes. “This is my first time living with you guys. I hope you don’t mind my eccentric ways.”
Elise met my gaze. I saw the sadness there, but I ignored it. Because I had to. I was the replacement. There had been another girl, another roommate, a friend we loved. But Corinne wasn’t here anymore, and that was the reason the ladies couldn’t go back to their old home. The reason we were all moving to another house together rather than me merely moving into their already well-maintained place.
“As long as you don’t leave wet towels on the floor, I’m sure we can make do,” Natalie said.
I shuddered. “Why on earth would you ever think I would leave a wet towel on the floor?”
Natalie grinned. “I know, even saying that made me cringe.”
“As it should,” I replied. “If anything, my chore wheel will probably annoy you. I’m not going to be the one leaving messes behind.” Elise and Nessa met each other’s gazes before they broke out into laughter.
I blushed, ducking my head against the cool wind that came from the lovely January breeze in Denver, Colorado.
“What?” I asked, worried I’d crossed a line.
“Oh, it’s just I owe Elise ten bucks,” Nessa said, grinning.
I flushed, and it wasn’t only from the cold. “I’m sorry?”
Elise pushed at Nessa’s shoulder. “I thought you would bring up the chore wheel before we even walked in the door. She assumed you’d wait until after we’d unpacked.”
I felt the blush creep up my neck. “I’m sorry, I had one with my other roommates. Is that not what you guys do? Oh, crap. We don’t have to do anything like that here. You tell me what to do, and I’ll do it.”
Natalie squeezed my hand, and I smiled at the other woman. I had met the girls through Natalie. We had been study partners for her class, and I had easily fit in with the crew. Now, I felt like I was off-kilter because I wasn’t just the friend who came over but one who would be living with them. Without Corinne.
“No, we like chore wheels,” Elise said. Then she shuddered. “Okay, not really like, but we use them. That way, we can get things done. We all like a clean house. You’re going to fit in just fine, Mackenzie. Stop worrying.”
“You clearly don’t know me that well if you’re telling me I shouldn’t worry. It’s sort of my thing.”
They laughed and then clasped hands, Nessa reaching out to grip one of mine, Natalie the other.
I felt something spark within me, a connection forming that I hadn’t expected. Or rather, I hadn’t wanted to expect.
I liked these women. They were my friends. I could do this. I just needed to find my place within their system. There were places and boxes for everybody. Rules and connections and paths. I did my best when I knew the equation and the answer and everything that came with it. I just needed to find where I belonged.
“Are we just going to stand out here all day and look at the place? Or are you actually going to walk in?”
I winced and looked behind me at the four guys who stood by the moving truck and their vehicles, their arms folded across their chests.
“Hello, boys,” I said, and they all smiled. I swore my knees went weak, even though I told myself I didn’t want a guy—ever again. Not after the last one. But I couldn’t help it. The boys from the house on college row were handsome, swoon-worthy, and easily made your knees go weak every time you looked at them. All four of them staring at you with a smile on their faces? It was no wonder my heart raced.
There used to be five of them. But unlike what’d happened with the girls, the split hadn’t been tragic. Maybe a little for me at first, but it wasn’t a tragedy. It was a farce.
But I wasn’t going to think about Sanders. He wasn’t living with the guys anymore, which meant I wouldn’t let him have real estate in my mind or my heart, either.
He’d occupied enough of it since we were infants. I wouldn’t let him be there now.
Dillon, Elise’s boyfriend, cleared