Page 199 of Can't Always Get What You Want

“I can do you one better.” She props her phone against the tile backsplash in her kitchen and goes about her business wiping down her counter. “Are you ready for this?”

I stop taping a box of knick-knacks I’m donating to the Salvation Army. “Hit me.”

Nova stops wiping and grins at the camera.

“Luca’s house--the one he owns not too far from here has a spare bedroom.”

My ears perk up. “Spare bedroom?”

She resumes cleaning. “Unless the guys haven’t moved into the primary bedroom, yeah—there’s a room that’s available and I’m one hundred percent positive they wouldn’t care if you moved in.”

My spine straightens like I’ve just been told I won a luxury yacht and free skincare for life.

“Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

‘Cause I’m interested!

Nova holds up her hands. “I’msayingif you’re willing to live in the suburbs with two semi-domesticated male athletes and their ill-mannered lab retriever, the room is yours.”

Semi-domesticated? “Are they clean?”

She hesitates.

“Nova.”

Her shoulders lift up and down. “They try their best?”

Not exactly comforting.

I worry my bottom lip and ask the only question that has relevancy: “Do I get my own bathroom?”

Nova laughs. “Yes, Your Highness. The house has four and a half bathrooms.”

Whoa.

“Okay, okay, back to the important part—tell me about the guys.” I wiggle my eyebrows like a creep. “And I meantell meabout the guys.

“Well,” she says, rinsing her rag way too slowly. “You’ve got Skaggs—rookie defenseman. Loves to read. Overall he’s pretty quiet and shy. Great guy.Terribleat putting away dishes. I’ve literally seen him eat an entire Costco rotisserie chicken with his bare hands.”

“Ew.”

“Then there’s Cash,” she continues. “Pro-snowboarder who only lives in Texas during the summer—I think his parents live here? Barely around. Has a dog, who travels with him during snow season. Cash is also a very nice guy…picture a surfer, though. Super chill. Uses words likegnarlyandhuzz.”

“Let me guess—he wears beanies?”

“Yes. And he has the most symmetrical face I’ve ever seen.”

“So…they’re both single?”

Nova pauses. “Painfully single.”

“And attractive?”

“Disgustingly.” She pauses. “So good-looking that on occasion, I can’t look them in the eye.”

I can’t decide if she’s fucking with me or not.

Nova doesn’t even crack a smile as she leans in to the camera, whisper talking. “Poppy, I’m serious. Sometimes when I’m at the house, I have to pretend I have bad eyesight. It’s the only way to survive.”

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