Page 1 of Pucking My Grumpy Roommate
CHAPTER 1
KATE
I’d always believed in science’s beautiful predictability—hypothesis, experiment, result. Life had patterns you could study and master, just like bacteria in a petri dish.
But Minnesota wasn’t following any of my protocols.
“You’re sure this is all yours?” The taxi driver’s eyebrows shot up as he surveyed the mountain of luggage I’d brought. Three suitcases, two duffel bags, and four boxes of research materials.
“I promise the papers are lighter than they look,” I said, pulling my scarf tighter as another blast of frigid wind whipped snowflakes into my face. “It’s mostly lab notes and equipment I couldn’t ship ahead.”
He grunted, lifting the first suitcase. “Lady, you know we’ve got stores in Minneapolis, right? Could’ve bought a winter coat when you got here.”
“Oh, I have one! Somewhere...” I gestured vaguely at my luggage mountain. “I’m from Arizona originally, so I wasn’t exactly prepared for—” I squealed as my boot hit an ice patch, sending me sliding straight into a snowbank.
The driver sighed, extending a gloved hand. “First time in Minnesota, huh?”
“Is it that obvious?” I accepted his help, brushing snow from my completely inadequate jacket.
“Only to everyone with eyes.” He chuckled, loading the last of my boxes. “So what brings you here in January? Most folks with sense are heading the other direction.”
“Research fellowship at the University of Minnesota. I’m studying antibiotic resistance in gram-negative bacteria, specifically focusing on how plasmid-mediated resistance transfers in hospital settings, which is fascinating because?—”
“Whoa, whoa.” He held up his hands. “English, please.”
“Sorry.” I felt my cheeks flush. “I’m trying to help stop superbugs that don’t respond to antibiotics anymore.”
“Well, why didn’t you just say that?” He gestured for me to get in the cab. “Important work. My cousin got one of those infections after knee surgery. Nasty business.”
“Exactly!” I beamed, relieved to find common ground. “That’s why my research is so critical. Did you know that by 2050, antimicrobial resistance could kill more people than cancer? The evolution rate of these bacteria is?—”
“Fascinating, I’m sure.” He flicked on the windshield wipers as the snow intensified. “But maybe save the lecture for the university folks.”
I sank back in my seat, mentally kicking myself. Classic Kate Ellis move—over explaining until people’s eyes glazed over. My parents, both professors, had always encouraged my scientific talents. The rest of the world, not so much.
“University housing, right?”
“Yes, please. Ridgewood Apartments on University Avenue.”
Forty minutes and one near-accident later, we pulled up to a modern building with snow piled high around the entrance. I paid the driver, adding a generous tip for dealing with both my luggage and enthusiasm.
“Good luck with those superbugs,” he called, helping unload the last box.
“Thanks!”
I turned toward the building, dragging my first suitcase through the snow. The wheels caught on everything.
“Hi, I’m Kate Ellis? The new microbiologist?” I announced at the reception desk, where a bored-looking student barely glanced up from his phone. “I have an apartment reserved. Should be all set up.”
He tapped at his computer, frowning slightly. “Ellis...Ellis...don’t see you here.”
“That can’t be right. I submitted all the paperwork months ago. Check again, please?”
His frown deepened. “Oh. Yeah, here you are. Oof.”
“Oof? What does ‘oof’ mean?”
“There was an administrative error.” He winced. “Your apartment isn’t ready. Construction delays or something.”
