Page 6 of A Roommate for Christmas
Nadia never missed a beat.After more than fifteen years of friendship, she knew how to read between the lines of Paige’s messages.
Paige proceeded to fill her best friend in on the last hour, showing her the email all the employees received.
“Oh, screw them!”shouted Nadia across the table.“Those bonuses are the only ounce of appreciation they ever show you.Ten bucks says they are still giving pay raises to the top executives.Who are all men, I might add.”
Knowing the pricks that ran the company, she probably wasn’t wrong.
“What am I going to do, Nads?I’m so done there.I keep getting the bottom-of-the-barrel clients, and lately it feels like Chance and Diana have upped their office PDA, if that is even possible.I think if I stay there much longer I will actually go insane,” Paige said.“You know I’ve been itching to do my own thing, but I just can’t get myself to go through with it if I don’t have a safety net.”
She finished the entirety of her first margarita and poured herself a second, following it up by stuffing a chip topped with guacamole in her mouth.
“I know, Paige.I’m so sorry you have to deal with this,” Nadia said.“I can’t help but feel like my announcement last night makes it all worse.”
Paige reached over and squeezed her friend’s hand.Nadia had done so much for her over the years—especially in the wake of her breakup.And as much as Paige wished Nadia wasn’t moving out, she knew it was time for Nadia to take the next step in her relationship.
“Nadia,” Paige finally spoke.“Nothing you do or say couldevermake my life worse.It’s long overdue for you and Linus to live together.I will be fine, just after I complain over a few margaritas.”She clinked her glass against Nadia’s and took a big sip.
“And besides,” she continued, “I barely charged you rent.Your continuing to live there wouldn’t have really made a big enough difference.”
It was true.Paige felt weird collecting a massive rent check from her best friend—she only asked for half of her mortgage payment so they paid equally.
“Wait a minute.Paige, you just gave me an idea!”Nadia said, perking up.“You are—I guesswere—barely charging me to rent out your second bedroom.With me out of the picture, you can charge a new roommatewaymore and actually save some cash.We are in a great neighborhood, and your place is way nicer than half of the places that pop up in rental Facebook groups.You have a cash cow!”
Nadia had a point.Paige hadn’t even considered this as an option when she was spiraling in the pit of doom ...well, her cubicle.
She was perfectly content splitting her mortgage payment if it meant Nadia was in the room across the hall, so she’d never considered how much money she could make from properly renting the room out.
An hour ago, the news about not getting a bonus felt like a knockout blow after an already tough week.Now, Nadia was painting a clearer picture of how she could stay on track to making her dreams a reality.
Nadia continued, “I can help this move along ASAP.I’m already planning on getting my things moved over to Linus’s this weekend, so I can help spruce up the place for some photos so you can start bringing in the mon-nay.”
Paige wasn’t sure if her newfound optimism was warranted or if it was just the margaritas talking, but she had a good feeling about this new plan.
“Well, it seems that we need another round to celebrate!”Paige said after using the last of the first pitcher to top off their drinks.“To your next adventure in love, and my padded savings account.”
“I can certainly drink to that.”Nadia looked around to get the server’s attention, pointing at the empty pitcher.
Chapter 3
Paige’sheadwaspoundingwhen she woke up on Saturday morning.
Did I forget to drink water last night?The closer I get to thirty, the crappier I feel after drinking, she thought.
She heard rustling outside in the kitchen, meaning Nadia must be up and packing.
Paige hoisted herself out of bed, grabbed a sweater from her closet, and downed the full glass of water that was still sitting on her bedside table.
“Morning,” Paige groaned as she walked out into the common area.“Packing already?”
“There she is!”Nadia called.Her whole body was practically inside the kitchen cabinet rummaging for something.“Yeah, I’m just doing a sweep of the kitchen to make sure I didn’t miss anything.”
She emerged from inside the cabinet with a cutting board and a party platter dish she had painted at a pottery studio back in their college days and put them in a box that was half full.
It was strange for Paige to see all of Nadia’s things sitting together in the box.It made the fact that she was moving out all too real.
“I can’t believe you’re packing up,” Paige said solemnly.“I’ve never lived as an adult without you.”
“Stop it, Paige, you’re gonna make me cry.”Nadia’s lip quivered.
