I laugh as I end the call, gather the bills, and shove them gently into my bag.When I lock up the salon and step into the evening air, the mountains glow purple in the distance.
Wolf Valley is beautiful, but I can’t focus on its beauty today.I’m too stressed, too terrified.
My house is just a few blocks away from the salon, and it only takes me five minutes to get home.When I pull up to my grandmother’s house and climb out of my car, my rescue mutt, Bean, launches himself at the front window like a furry missile.His tail thumps wildly.
“Hi, baby,” I coo as I open the door.He’s a golden-brown mop of love and has zero concept of personal space.“You will never have to pay rent.Ever.”
He licks my chin.I take that as gratitude.
Later, after dinner—a grilled cheese—I open my laptop and stare at the blank listing form.
Seeking roommate.Quiet home.One bedroom, shared bath.Must love dogs.
I groan,wondering what else to add.What am I looking for?Who do I want to live with?
My phone rings, and I sigh as I answer it.
“Hey,” I greet Alexi.
“Hey!What are you up to?”
“I’m working on the listing,” I admit.
“Yay!Should I come over?I can bring some wine!Or we can go out to the bar?Maybe you’ll meet your Prince Charming tonight, and he’ll sweep you off your feet and pay all your bills.”
“That would be amazing, but I think that we both know every guy here in this small town.My Prince Charming isn’t one of them.”
“That’s true.”Alexi sighs.
The two of us bonded over being hopeless romantics.We spent our childhood and teen years having sleepovers where we watched romcoms and ate junk food all night.When we were in our late teens, we started reading romance books, the steamier the better.
For all of that romance, the two of us have never dated.We took each other to prom and homecoming.All the boys in our class seemed like… boys.We were used to swooning over handsome leading men from our books or movies.We didn’t want fumbling boys.Unfortunately for us, that severely limited our options.
“So, want me to bring the wine?”Alexi asks.
“Sure.I think I’m going to need it.”
I hang up with her and scratch Bean’s ears as he curls up next to me on the couch.A few minutes later, the front door opens, and Alexi comes in, shedding her coat and shoes.She beelines into the kitchen, then into the living room, carrying two wine glasses and a bottle of wine.
“Oh, you brought the good stuff,” I joke as she twists the wine bottle cap off.
“Anything for you, boo.”
She grins as she pours us both a big glass of wine.I take a sip of mine and then a bigger gulp as I stare at my computer screen.
“What do you have so far?”she asks, stealing my laptop.
“Not much.”
She starts to type.“I can see that.”
I peek over her shoulder.“I don’t know if I would call this place charming.Not with the leaky roof and all.”
“No, that works.It’s like realtor speak.”
I trust Alexi, so I lean against the couch cushions, petting Bean as I sip my wine.
“There!All done.Should I hit publish?”
