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“What do you mean, no?”

“No. We can’t move in together. You—we wanted to take it slow, remember?” I stammered, backing off as he lifted the box and walked into my apartment with it. He ignored Dawn and looked only at me.

“What was it some wise woman once said? I think it was ‘I want to see the damned room!’” He pushed past me into the living room.

“He’s crazy,” I murmured, watching him from behind.

“After you,” Dawn added, with a meaningful look.

“Is this good or bad?” I asked her, but she just smiled.

“You tell me.”

No easy answer came to mind.

“Is anyone here allergic to cats?” Kaden asked. “Then you’d better get outta here.”

What the hell?

From across the hall I watched Kaden place the box in the middle of the free bedroom. One of the girls wrinkled her nose and left, letting the door swing closed behind her. Another candidate followed her out.

Kaden knelt on the floor and opened the carrier.

“You’re pulling my leg,” I managed to say.

“Shhh, you’re upsetting Spidey.” Kaden’s voice had gone soft and deep.

“Spidey?”

“Actually, I named him Spider-Man Junior, but Spidey sounds cuter. Come on, little one.” Kaden rubbed his fingers together and clicked his tongue.

He couldn’t be serious.

“Kaden,” I warned.

“What?” He looked at me, frowning. “You always said you wanted a cat.”

“I… what?”

“You always told me you wanted a cat. So I thought I’d give you Spidey. Who happens to be asleep right now. Fine, be that way.” Kaden stood and brushed his hands on his jeans. “So show me around, give me the official tour.”

All I did was stare at him. “You can’t be serious,” I said aloud what I was thinking. No filter.

The grin faded from his face. “The apartment where I live right now is empty. I need a change of scenery. A place to start over.”

I shook my head. He really was crazy. But okay, I could play along. “This is the room. It’s unfurnished; you’d have to get your own stuff.”

“No problem. I have furniture.” Kaden shot back, as if he’d memorized a script. We went into the living room together; all the other candidates were hanging out while Scott told the stories behind the photos.

“Here’s the living room,” I recited with a wave of the hand and observed how Kaden took in everything as if he were seeing it for the first time.

“Nice photos,” he said, narrowing his eyes a bit. “I like that one up there a lot.” He pointed to the picture of me, and again all I could do was shake my head.

The other candidates eyed Kaden curiously. He noticed and rubbed the back of his head. Then he sighed and turned to look at each of them.

“Okay, people, let me be honest with you,” he began, walking over to the handful of guys and one woman still hanging out with Scott. He pointed at me. “I know Allie Harper. I shared an apartment with her for the last few months. And it was not easy. She is not a good roommate, despite her cute smiles and the cheap decorations strewn about here.”

“Kaden,” I hissed.