Begin Again (Again #1)(87)

“They’re gorgeous, aren’t they?” Dawn agreed.

We picked up the living room and vacuumed the spare room so it would look more presentable. The whole time, we belted out songs from musicals and danced through the apartment. I hadn’t laughed this much in a long time. It felt good. Yes, I was on the right track. Things were back on track.

The first candidate arrived fifteen minutes early. His name was Isaac. He seemed to be studying 200 subjects at the same time and was cute in a nerdy way, with his horn-rimmed glasses and bow tie. Scott fell for him right away and made obscene gestures behind Isaac’s back, which made me smile and Dawn blush. It wasn’t long before the doorbell rang again. Soon the apartment was filled with people who strode from room to room, asked me questions, and maybe had already pictured the room fully furnished with their own stuff.

The doorbell rang again; Dawn went to answer it while I fielded everyone’s questions about the rent, the deposit, heat, and electricity costs.

“Allie?” Dawn called from the hallway.

“I’ll take over,” Scott said right away, and started talking about the owner’s talented grandson.

Meanwhile, I walked over to Dawn in the hall and stopped in my tracks.

It was Kaden, standing in the doorway, holding a copy of the apartment ad in his hand.

“I heard you’ve got a room to rent. I want to apply.”

My mouth dropped open but no words came out. Instead, I focused on Kaden and let my eyes travel downward. I gasped. Next to him on the doormat was a carrying case with holes in it.

“W—what’s that?” My eyes were wide.

“That’s today’s present.” Kaden grinned. “But before you open it, you have to let me in to see the place with the others.”

“No.” It was the first word that came back to me.

“What do you mean, no?”

“No. We can’t move in together. You—we wanted to take it slow, remember?” I stammered, backing off as he lifted the box and walked into my apartment with it. He ignored Dawn and looked only at me.

“What was it some wise woman once said? I think it was ‘I want to see the damned room!’” He pushed past me into the living room.

“He’s crazy,” I murmured, watching him from behind.

“After you,” Dawn added, with a meaningful look.

“Is this good or bad?” I asked her, but she just smiled.

“You tell me.”

No easy answer came to mind.

“Is anyone here allergic to cats?” Kaden asked. “Then you’d better get outta here.”

What the hell?

From across the hall I watched Kaden place the box in the middle of the free bedroom. One of the girls wrinkled her nose and left, letting the door swing closed behind her. Another candidate followed her out.

Kaden knelt on the floor and opened the carrier.

“You’re pulling my leg,” I managed to say.

“Shhh, you’re upsetting Spidey.” Kaden’s voice had gone soft and deep.

“Spidey?”

“Actually, I named him Spider-Man Junior, but Spidey sounds cuter. Come on, little one.” Kaden rubbed his fingers together and clicked his tongue.

He couldn’t be serious.

“Kaden,” I warned.

“What?” He looked at me, frowning. “You always said you wanted a cat.”

“I … what?”

“You always told me you wanted a cat. So I thought I’d give you Spidey. Who happens to be asleep right now. Fine, be that way.” Kaden stood and brushed his hands on his jeans. “So show me around, give me the official tour.”

All I did was stare at him. “You can’t be serious,” I said aloud what I was thinking. No filter.

The grin faded from his face. “The apartment where I live right now is empty. I need a change of scenery. A place to start over.”

I shook my head. He really was crazy. But okay, I could play along. “This is the room. It’s unfurnished; you’d have to get your own stuff.”

“No problem. I have furniture.” Kaden shot back, as if he’d memorized a script. We went into the living room together; all the other candidates were hanging out while Scott told the stories behind the photos.

“Here’s the living room,” I recited with a wave of the hand and observed how Kaden took in everything as if he were seeing it for the first time.

“Nice photos,” he said, narrowing his eyes a bit. “I like that one up there a lot.” He pointed to the picture of me, and again all I could do was shake my head.

The other candidates eyed Kaden curiously. He noticed and rubbed the back of his head. Then he sighed and turned to look at each of them.

“Okay, people, let me be honest with you,” he began, walking over to the handful of guys and one woman still hanging out with Scott. He pointed at me. “I know Allie Harper. I shared an apartment with her for the last few months. And it was not easy. She is not a good roommate, despite her cute smiles and the cheap decorations strewn about here.”

“Kaden,” I hissed.

He lifted his hand. “No, I mean it. Allie, you’re not that good as a roommate.”

“What are you talking about?” I put my hands on my hips. God, this was embarrassing. I wanted to tape his mouth shut.