Page 9 of Hold the Pickle
“Take the apartment myself.”
“You can’t do that!” I hiss. “I want it!”
He shrugs. “I guess we can both fill out applications.”
That’s risky. He could choose Dalton. I tap my foot in irritation. “Why do you need it so bad?”
“I’m sleeping on the floor of my friend’s place and with the shifts I’m working, I need a proper bed.” He points to the mattress. “That one looks good.”
“I’m living with my cousin, and his wife is pregnant!” I almost mention that I need a lease to keep me in LA but then think better of it.
“But you’re not sleeping on the floor,” he counters.
“That doesn’t settle it! It’s critical I leave. I can’t afford more than this. I’m not sure I can afford this one.”
This gets his attention. “I’m not sure I can either, to be honest. I was hoping to get him to come down, but I can’t do that if you want it.”
We stand there at a stalemate.
“Whenever you two are ready to come to the office,” Evan says, placing his hand on the doorknob.
We don’t move.
“What do you do?” Dalton asks.
“What do you mean?”
“For work. What hours?”
“I help out at a deli. Morning and afternoons.”
He snaps his fingers. “I work long shifts. I mostly sleep in the morning and early afternoon. That would be while you’re gone.”
My brain buzzes with this information. “What are you suggesting?”
“Neither of us can afford it alone, but what if we time share it? I sleep while you’re at work. You sleep while I’m at the hospital.”
“You mean live together?” My face blooms hot. “With only one bed?”
“We won’t be in it at the same time.”
I cross my arms. “But you were positively ogling me earlier.”
He holds up his palms. “I will be hands off. You’re my roommate now. Like a sister.”
A sister!
Evan clears his throat. “Second thoughts? I had a couple of other calls about this unit.”
“No!” we both say at the same time.
“Yes or no?” Dalton asks.
Ooooh. I’m no good at snap decisions. But sharing would be a lot cheaper. A whole lot. I’d be more free to figure things out.
I have to. “Okay. Let’s do it.”
“Great.” Dalton walks toward Evan. “It’s all decided. We’re good.”
