Page 23 of Hold the Pickle

He thinks I’m going to hook up with someone. Should I let him think it?

I evade. “Get some rest.” I hurry across the room to snatch up my purse. It’s a brown sack of a thing, completely wrong for the outfit, but it doesn’t matter. I have to get out of here, away from his hungry gaze and borderline jealousy of my nonexistent hookup.

He stands. “Call me if you need backup. Or security. Or something.”

I throw open the door. “I’m a big girl!”

Then I’m outside. Only when I’m halfway to my car do I breathe again.

I shouldn’t be surprised that we’re already veering out of roommates territory. We did have that moment before we figured out we were rivals.

And now we’re not. We live together. Meals. Showers. Bed times.

Nights.

I sit in my Jeep a moment, willing my heart to calm down.

This apartment situation is going to be more than I bargained for.

8

DALTON

Idon’t intend to crash before showering, but I make the mistake of sitting on the Transformer bedspread after Nadia leaves.

Then I’m keeling over, apparently the last of my energy used up on digesting perfect pasta and sparring with my roommate over verbal innuendos.

When I wake up around four a.m., Nadia’s not here. The kitchen light is on.

And the cat is watching me from the sofa.

I lift my head. “Hello, Catzilla.”

She opens her mouth in a silent response.

“Still spooky.”

I sit up slowly, trying to avoid startling her into running. She can’t get to her preferred hiding place without coming closer.

I should go back to sleep.

But where is Nadia? Did she stay over with some guy?

The mere thought of it banishes all thought of sleep. Her fancy dress on the floor. Her hair all mussed.

No, no. Think of something else.

I ease off the bed. My bladder requires attention, and I might as well shower.

My socks are silent on the carpet, and I hug the wall to show the cat that I’m not coming for her.

She turns to watch me as I move, coiled tightly in her spot, ready to spring. As soon as I’ve cleared the path between the sofa and the bed, she darts across the room in two long leaps and disappears into the darkness between the suitcases.

“I’m an all-right guy, I promise!”

It’s pointless, at least for now. I realize I’ve forgotten to get a clean set of clothes, but I don’t want to disturb the cat even more. I’ll grab something when I’m done. She should have at least a moment’s peace.

Nadia’s things have spread through the space. Makeup on the counter. More bottles on the corners of the bathtub. I pull my toiletry bag out from beneath the sink and start the water.

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