Jed grins at him, kissing his knuckles before asking about the rest of his day.
I get busy making tea and am just sitting down to drink it when Nix walks in the front door.
Her full name is Phoenix, but I’ve never heard her called anything but Nix. It suits her. She’s like a little fairy, always flittering around everywhere. She’s petite and energetic, her dark auburn hair short at the back and long and messy at the front. Thick tendrils frame her face, and she’s constantly tucking them behind her ears or brushing them back, but she swears short hair is easier than long. I don’t know if that’s true, but all I can say is that her straight hair is definitely easier to manage than my Afro curls.
“Hey, peeps,” she sings, skipping into the kitchen and kissing my cheek before spinning to grin at the boys.
“Hey, Nixie-Noo.” Tobin smiles up at her. “How’s my favorite fairy?”
“Oh, shut up.” She laughs, flopping onto the couch and rolling her eyes when we all laugh.
But it’s true. If Tinker Bell was ever made into a live-action, Nix would be perfectly cast. The only thing she’s missing is a set of wings, and I’m pretty sure Tobin has made it his mission to remind her of that… for the rest of her life.
“You seem happy.” I swivel in my chair, looking down on my roommates from my perch on the stool. “Did you have a good night?”
Nix’s smile gives it all away, her euphoric look letting us know without a doubt that this new man she’s started dating is a keeper.
“He’s perfect.” She swoons.
“What’s his name again?” Jed asks.
“Ricky.” Even saying his name makes her smile. “He took me out for ice cream, and then we strolled around town and ended up at that park near Greek Row. It was empty, of course, no kids at this time of night, so we played on the equipment.” She giggles. “He nearly got stuck coming down the slide. He’s way too big for it.” Her head tips back as another giddy laugh pops out of her. “And then we made out on the grass and…” She finishes her sentence with a dreamy sigh.
I share a grin with my roomies.
“Someone’s in love.” Jed sings the last word.
“I am,” she admits. “I know it’s fast, but I don’t give a shit. I love that boy and he loves me, and it’s bliss!” She stretches her arms wide and sinks into the couch cushions, one happy little fairy.
It’s nice to see her this way. When I first moved in, Tobin took me aside and warned me that Nix was awesome but guarded. “Sometimes she’s a little bitch, but don’t worry, it’s all bark and no bite. She’s a really good person who has been through some tough shit, so it makes her a little hard. But give it time, okay? She’ll warm to you, and once she likes you, she’ll be loyal for life.”
It was a little disconcerting, knowing I was moving in with a yappy dog who may not like me, but she actually warmed up faster than I was expecting.
It took about two months. She was kind of surly and borderline rude to start with, but I just kept being nice, and each week another layer of her ice wall would melt away. And then, there she was—the girl Tobin promised me was in there. And she really is awesome.
I love all three of the people I live with, and I can’t believe I waited so long to make this big change in my life.
Moving to Nolan has been the best decision.
Or has it?
Seeing Tyrell tonight has really thrown me.
I grip my mug of tea, letting the hot ceramic warm my fingers. I did go over three months without seeing him, so the chance of bumping into him again could be slim. But he knows where I work now. Will he come back to visit? Does he want to connect again?
I’m not sure I can handle that.
I’ve moved here to start fresh, leave the past behind me.
“Should we?” Tobin whispers.
My eyes dart his way, and I catch the tail end of Tobin and Jed’s hushed conversation.
“It’s okay, babe. We’re all here now. Let’s just do it.”
“Do what?” Nix’s head pops off the couch, her eyes narrowing in suspicion.
“Um…” Jed licks his lower lip before glancing at me, then looking back to his boyfriend.
