I grabbed the hooded sweatshirt sitting at the end of my bed, and pulled it over my body. “Are you sure they said there was nowhere else? I mean, I don’t know, Jaime. You’re a guy, a stranger, really, and I have a boyfriend. I don’t think he will be too excited when I tell him my roommate’s an Irish guy.”
His liquid gold eyes looked me up and down. “I asked to be moved and they put me on a waiting list if some other American no-shows, but I want my old flat and my old flatmates. Unless they can squeeze me back in there, I’m staying here. So, there it is. An Irish bloke and an American lass living together. That’ll make a good story for the grandkids. Promise, you won’t even know I’m here.”
That eased some pressure, and I exhaled. “I guess I’ll have to deal with it. Promise me you aren’t a serial killer?” My straight face communicated the gravity of my question.
“Promise,” he said with a small smirk.
“I’ve never lived with a guy before. I think we need to establish rules if we’re living together. Based upon the plane, I imagine you’re a bit of a slob.”
He flinched and rubbed the back of his neck.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean that. I meant to say you’re messy.”
He tapped his pencil and pursed his lips.
“We’re different, you and I. That’s what I mean. I’m clean and organized.”
He puffed out his chest. “And I’m not?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. You knocked over my soda without thinking, took over my entire plane seat, and asked to eat my dinner. I have a feeling you’re a little more…what’s the word I’m looking for?” I tapped my chin, trying to think of a positive adjective for annoying. “Carefree?”
He sharpened his tone. “I’ll try not to upset the apple cart and keep my side tidy.”
“And no girls sleeping over. I can’t handle that. I don’t care if you’re a male or female. I would ask that of any roommate.”
He glared at me.
“What? It’s a respect thing. You can sleep at their place if you have to.”
Jaime ticked my demands off on his fingers. “Be clean, be tidy, no sleepovers. Anything else?”
I shook my head. “Do you have anything for headaches?”
He motioned to the bathroom. “On the sink.”
I looked under the sheet and saw my underwear. Shoot. I thought I put on my pajamas last night. “Hey, Jaime? Will you close your eyes? I have to get my clothes on. I don’t think my boyfriend, Scott, would appreciate it if I walked around half naked in front of you.”
Jaime rose from his bed and my eyes zoned in on his plaid boxers. Heat rushed to my face and I forced myself to look away.
“No problem. I’ll give you your space.” He walked past me and I couldn’t help but watch him saunter away to retrieve the medicine.
My heart thudded, and my face flushed. I couldn’t take my eyes off the elastic waistband that hung just below his hips. His thick thighs and broad chest reminded me of a soccer player. I mean, football. My inner voice yelled at me to think of my boyfriend.
I shook my head and focused on my kind, attractive, thoughtful boyfriend. Somehow, Scott’s curly brown hair morphed to red. I bit my lip and giggled.
This is going to be a crazy four months.
Chapter 6
After getting dressed, I marched down to the main office and pleaded my case. He’s male, and I’m female; he’s Irish and I am American; he’s in his final year, and I’m in my junior year. The office manager invalidated every argument. “We’re sorry. There is nothing we can do. Jaime has paid for his room, but that doesn’t mean the room stays the same.” Jaime was right. He was stuck with us for the semester, and there was nothing he or I could do about it.
After returning from the main office, I knocked on Zoey’s door.
“You ready?” I called.
It was my second day in Ireland, and Zoey and I wanted to time the walk to school. Classes were starting on Monday, and I needed to be prepared.
Halfway down the hill, our conversation led to Jaime, our mysterious roommate. I told Zoey about the awful plane ride and how glad I had been to get rid of him.
