“You don’t know me so don’t pretend to,” Sadie shot back. She turned to Jenny and instantly her glare softened into something almost vulnerable. “It’s not a big deal if you’re not interested. I promise it won’t make carpool awkward either way. It’s just one option.”
Jenny nodded. “We’d have to share a bedroom this size.”
Sadie eyed Denver and frowned. “Actually, I was thinking about that. Since Denver is being so generous in offering that extra bedroom and bathroom at his place, maybe we could make a trial run of it there. And that way, you’re not the only girl in a house full of… him.”
Denver’s mouth dropped open.
“I’d pay rent,” Sadie added quickly. “And if it’s a complete disaster, we’ll know within a few days, and I’ll help Jenny find a new roommate. A non-stinky one who doesn’t wander at night.”
“You can’t just move into my house without asking,” Denver sputtered.
“This is me asking. And it’s only a month. Don’t you want to help Jenny?” She blinked at him with innocent eyes, like she didn’t know exactly what sort of trap she’d walked him into.
“That’s not what I offered, lady, and you know it.”
While those two were locked in a standoff, I sat down next to Jenny on the bed and nudged her shoulder. “What are you thinking?” I whispered.
“I don’t know.” She glanced at Sadie and Denver before leaning in close enough to not be overheard. “Would it be crazy to live with Sadie?” Her lips against my ear completely muddled my brain and it took several seconds for me to replay what she said and make it stick. But it was an important question and deserved a good answer. Jenny asking for my advice was a privilege I didn’t normally get.
While I’d certainly be more comfortable with her staying at Denver’s house if Sadie was there, Jenny needed a friend more than she needed a bodyguard. “It’s not crazy. I’d trust her with my life. But personality-wise?” I shrugged.
“That’s my concern, too.” Jenny sighed, and little wrinkles appeared in her forehead while she was deep in thought. Finally, she stood, squaring her shoulders. “Okay, you two. I accept. That is, if Denver’s okay with us staying there. And if things go through with the landlord. Sadie and I would need to talk to him right now before he gives that apartment away to someone else.”
Denver scratched his head, clearly torn. But when his eyes landed on Jenny, I knew what his answer would be. She just had that effect on people. “Okay. Go talk to the landlord. I’ll go prep my roommates.”
“They won’t mind?” Jenny asked.
“It’s my house, so they don’t get a say. But they won’t care.”
“Thank you, Denver. I—we—really appreciate this.” Jenny raised an eyebrow at Sadie.
“Yes, thank you,” Sadie grumbled.
Denver stared at Sadie for several seconds and then pulled out his phone. “If you’re staying with me, I need your phone number and the numbers of three relatives.”
“Uh, no. That’s absurd.”
“It’s not. What’s absurd is this plan you’ve cooked up to twist my generosity around so you can get something out of this.”
Sadie looked like she was about to murder him, but Jenny stepped between them first. “Denver, stop being so rude. Sadie, please? Is it really that unreasonable?”
Sadie glared at Denver over Jenny’s head. “Fine. I’ll be outside getting some air.” She opened the door and stalked out, hollering down the hall, “Because it stinks in here, Clarissa.”
Denver watched her go and then crossed his arms, leaning against the door frame. “Are you sure about her?”
Jenny looked to me, and then sighed. “We’ve known Sadie a long time. She’s rough around the edges, but yeah, I trust her.”
Denver didn’t look convinced. “Don’t get me wrong, my offer still stands, but couldn’t she have just offered to have you stay with her at her dad’s house? Why does she want to move intomyhouse for the next month?”
“I can answer that one,” I said. From the concerned look that crossed Jenny’s face, I knew she hadn’t put together what I had. “Sadie’s mom died when she was little. It’s been just her and her dad since Dan left for college. But now her dad is getting remarried. In two weeks, actually.”
Jenny’s shoulders dropped. “Right. I totally forgot about that. I’m sure Sadie doesn’t want to be in the way of the newlyweds.”
“Well, why didn’t she just say that?” Denver glanced out, as if he could see Sadie through the walls. “Now I feel like a jerk.”
“Maybe go talk to her. Apologize.” Jenny made a shooing motion. “And then get the numbers of everyone she knows, her Netflix password, a blood sample, and whatever else you need. Or tell her she can’t stay. It’s your house.”
I could tell he didn’t want to go face Sadie, so I stood and put myself between him and Jenny, ready to take my turn being the jerk. “We’ll give you and Sadie a minute to talk and then we’ll come out.”
