Roommates with Complicated Benefits - J. S. Cooper Page 0,1
long, do you? Isn’t your contract just for a year?”
“Yeah. It’s for a year. But if it goes well, it will be extended. Well, at least I hope so. I don’t really know how this visa stuff works, you know?”
“Yeah, that’s true. But we miss you. I hope you do come home in a year.”
“Well, of course I’ll visit. Even if I extend the contract and you have to come out to visit me, too. Didn’t you say that you love New York?”
“You know I love New York. I’m going to try and come in a couple of months when I can get some time off work. I can’t really leave right now as I just started.”
“Yeah, I get it.”
“So, what was your news, Molly?”
“Well, I was just about to say that. I think I found an apartment that will be absolutely amazing.”
“Oh, yeah? How many men do you have to suck off for that one then?”
“Henrietta, you know I’m not going to do that!” I laughed.
Henrietta was the only friend that I’d told about the naughty sounding ads I was finding in the newspaper. We’d been best friends since primary school. I could tell her any and everything. She was the only friend who really understood why I’d packed up and come to New York City. Everyone had told me that I was mad. I’d been working for a top magazine in London. I had my own flat. I’d been dating a guy, not seriously and not for very long, but he was stable and nice.
Everyone thought I’d been absolutely bonkers to give it all up to come to the States. But I knew it was something I needed to do. You didn’t get these chances often. And at 28 years old, I knew that if I were to wait even a couple of more years, I probably wouldn’t have the same energy and excitement to try out a new country.
“So is it with a man, then?”
“No. You know I’m not going to live with a man. It’s with a woman and—”
“Oh, gosh, Single White Female! You’ve seen that movie, right?”
“Henrietta, I saw Single White Female years and years ago. And we don’t even know if she’s white.”
“Okay. I’m just telling you to watch out.”
“What, would you rather me live with a crazy man that wants me to bathe him?”
“No, but you know they’re all crazy over there in the States. They’re psycho.”
“They’re not psycho, Henrietta. You can’t say those sorts of things.”
“I can say those sorts of things to you.”
I laughed. “Well, anyway, this apartment sounds really great. I’m going to call, and hopefully, I’ll get in, and hopefully, it’s as good as it sounds.”
“Yeah. Let me know, then.” She yawned again. “Oh, Molly, I’m sorry, but I’m falling back asleep. Can we talk tomorrow?”
“Yeah. I’m going to give this lady a call anyway and see how the flat is.”
“You mean you haven’t even spoken to her and you think it sounds amazing?” Henrietta giggled. “You are mad, aren’t you? They’re rubbing off on you already.”
“I’m not mad. I just got excited. Thanks for the chat. I just wanted to speak to a friendly voice. I’m a little bit lonely, you know, not really knowing anyone here.”
“I know Molly, but that’s why you’ve got to get out. Join a dating app or something. Meet someone new.”
“Yeah … I don’t want to do that just yet. I’m trying to concentrate on the job.”
“I understand that. See if you can’t go out with your workmates.”
“Yeah. I think we’re going to go out for a drink this weekend, hopefully. And then, you know, maybe I’ll meet some of their friends and that sort of thing. Meet some new people.”
“Just don’t go and replace me, okay?”
“I could never replace you, Henrietta.”
“I know. Anyway, ta-dah, darling. I love you.”
“Love you too. Bye.
“Bye.”
Three Months Later
Chapter 1
Ethan
There’s something about watching your brother make cow-eyes at his girlfriend that makes you feel kind of sick.
At least it made me feel kind of sick. My older brother, Harry, had never been the sort of guy to fawn over women, but here he was, hanging on Sarah’s every word.
I wanted to belch or fart or something.
“So, Ethan, what are you thinking about finding your own girlfriend?” Sarah sent a sly smile in my direction.
I tried not to roll my eyes. The love on her face did make me happy for my brother, but it also annoyed me. Just because they’d found love didn’t mean I had to find