Page 102 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 9
"It's just half of what the rent is. It's the same that I pay."
"Does it at least include utilities?"
"No." This girl wasn't very nice.
"How often do you clean?"
"Whenever anything needs to be cleaned."
"My last roommate was really sloppy. I don't want to live with someone like that again."
"I really do clean a lot. I just vacuumed the living room and cleaned the bathroom. And I never leave dishes in the sink. That's actually a pet peeve of mine too."
"It doesn't look clean."
"Excuse me?"
Piper looked around the room. "Can I see your bedroom?"
"Why?" My answer was a little snappy, but I couldn't help it. Who was she to come into my apartment and criticize me? Besides, I was supposed to be conducting the interview, not her.
"To see if you're sloppy or not."
"Why don't you just believe me?" I thought about the clothes strewn around my room, which now included the hideous bridesmaid dress. I was sloppy. It was like this stranger could see right through me.
"Because you have shoes in the middle of your kitchen floor. That's a cooking hazard, surely."
"What?" I tilted my head and looked over her shoulder. Sure enough, my high heels from the wedding were still on the floor."Oh, I got home late last night from a wedding. I must have just overlooked them. I promise that I don't usually leave shoes laying around. I keep all my personal stuff in my room."
"And why can't I see your room?" she countered.
"Well...um...like I said, I just got back from a wedding. And I didn't really have time to tidy up my room..."
"Thanks, but no thanks." Piper walked past me and out the door.
What the hell?
***
Seven interviews and seven duds. And Piper hadn't even been the worst. I put my face in my hands. There were only two days until the end of the month. If I didn't choose someone soon, I'd have to pay next month's rent solo. I could afford it, but I'd have to take the money out of my savings.
I bit my lip. In the back of my mind, I was thinking about Rory. Actually, I couldn't seem to stop thinking about him. He had been the nicest one. But I couldn't live with someone I was attracted to. That would be uncomfortable. And I had only asked him half of my questions because I had been too embarrassed. I barely knew anything about him.
He really was the best option, though. I picked up Rory's business card from the counter. His restaurant was open until three. I glanced at my computer screen. It was only 2 o'clock. Maybe if I went down there, I could get to know him better before rashly asking him to be my roommate.
Before I could chicken out, I grabbed my purse and hurried out of my apartment. I made my way down the street, searching for the restaurant. It was nestled between a Starbucks and a pizza place. I had never noticed it before. I pushed the door open and a bell rang to announce my arrival. The small restaurant was deserted. It was past lunchtime, though, so maybe their usual crowd had already left. I looked around. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to sit down or wait for a hostess. There was a man at a counter in the back staring at me.
"Can I help you, miss?"
Oh, I'm supposed to order back there.I wound my way between the small bistro tables to the back of the restaurant. There was a chalkboard behind the counter. All the menu items were in French, but the descriptions were in English.
"I'm sorry, I don't really know how to pronounce anything. Can I just have a turkey sandwich on a croissant?"
"Sure thing. Did you get that, Rory?" The man looked over his shoulder.
"Got it!" Rory said from somewhere I couldn't see.
"That will be $7.50, miss."
