After a few seconds, I offer to help her with the suitcases by carrying them to the door of Stevie’s new room. My last roommate left it a complete mess, and I decided to take it upon myself to clean it. If I hadn’t done it, I’m sure Stevie’s mom would be dragging her out of here. It was like a scene from a horror movie. Seeing Lucy’s shoulders sag with relief, I’m glad I did.
“I’ll be honest, I was worried when she only had two weeks to find a new place off campus, but this seems to be a safe street and a decent building.” She looks at me. “And a pretty nice roommate.”
I’m about to reply when a soft yet excited voice stops me.
“Mom, we need some extra help.”
The voice sounds younger and a little raspy.
I take a deep breath and step behind Lucy, who offers me a reassuring smile.
After several strides, I see a girl wearing a cardigan sweater with loose jeans. Her style is very seventies, so her name is fitting, to say the least.
Her cardigan moves as she fights with her suitcase. She’s mumbling, what I’m assuming are curse words, directly at the object as if it is alive and purposely fucking with her.
“Um, Stephanie?” Lucy interrupts her daughter’s hissy fit.
“Give me a second. This stupid suitcase won’t roll for some reason, and my arms are tired from carrying it up.” She kicks it one last time and slumps over, seeming to give up. I suppress a laugh and finally take pity on her.
Taking a step forward, I say gently, “Let me help you with that.”
This seems to catch her attention, and she jumps slightly. Stevie, my new roommate, finally meets my gaze. Her extremely long, wavy brown hair was covering her face before, so it’s the first time I’m able to see her completely now.
When she straightens her back, her height catches me by surprise. If I had to guess, she’s probably around five-foot-seven or -eight and reaches right past my shoulders. Her face doesn’t have a lick of makeup, including none around her uniquely shaped, large, hooded, dark green eyes.
I study her face again and notice light freckles around her nose. She’s cute…no, she’s beautiful.
This is getting awkward. I should look away now.
Although I have no interest in dating anyone, let alone my roommate, I can acknowledge a woman’s good looks without being a creep. Right?
As if she’s read my thoughts, Stevie quickly tucks a piece of hair behind an ear, her oversized brown sweater matching every single one of her movements.
“Hi, I’m Stevie,” she says, smiling stiffly. “Your new roommate.”
“And I’m Levi,” I respond with a half grin. I’m still trying to gauge her personality and how comfortable she feels socializing with strangers. “Here, let me help you with the suitcase. Make yourself at home, since it’s yours now too.”
I pick up the suitcase and take it to the same place where I put the others. When I turn back around, my roommate is looking around the apartment with curiosity. She’s seen the entire thing through pictures, but it is a little different in person. It’s nothing to write home about, but it’s cozy—well, by guys’ standards.
Lucy looks between Stevie and me before her wife walks in with the last of the two suitcases.
“Please never move again,” her mom, who looks exactly like my new roommate, says.
Their resemblance is uncanny. They have the same hair, green eyes, height, and oval face. I’m suddenly very curious about their family’s history and who the hell her dad is. Maybe if we become friends, she’ll tell me. I really hope we get along. The last thing I need is a carbon copy of my last roommate.
Her mom places both suitcases in front of Stevie’s room and turns to me.
“Hi, Levi, I’m Evelyn.” Even though her mom extends her hand to shake mine, she stares at me longer than Lucy did with narrowed eyes, unlike her wife’s warm smile. She scans me from head to toe and back up again.
“So, Levi Clarke, I saw you were in the tabloids a couple of years ago with that Jacob Greymoore kid.” I flinch at the mention of Jake and the pictures taken years ago. Even thoughthe allegations of us being a couple were false, it still made me feel bad for my best friend and the trouble he got into because I happen to be bisexual. “Are there still paparazzi following you around? I heard there weren’t, but you can never be too careful.”
“Ma, please. Cut my new roommate some slack,” Stevie says, annoyed, as she playfully shoves her mom. “I’m sorry, she’s a littleoverprotective.” The last word is louder than the rest. I press my lips together, fighting a grin.
“It’s okay, I understand. None of you know me, and you want your daughter to be safe.” Lucy nods, but Evelyn continues to look at me skeptically. “I promise you have nothing to worry about, but if it makes you feel more comfortable, I can give you my mom’s and grandma’s phone numbers and any personal information you need from me.”
“All those phone numbers would be great,” Lucy says simultaneously as Evelyn’s words sink in.
“We ran a background check on you before letting our daughter make the deal.”
