Page 83 of Mine

Who is he? Don’t forget, you are mine. I do not share.

Josh called me from the floor above. “Curls! Come on, I’m not up here for my health.”

Nicholas had disappeared into his room.

I followed the direction of the stairs, my legs protesting. I made it to the top floor and gasped as Josh eyed me with amusement.

“Are you okay? You need to get in shape. You’ll be doing this at least twice a day.”

I pulled out my key, ignoring his comment as I rolled my eyes. “Thank you, Josh, I owe you.”

The door swung open and Josh pulled my case in for me. “There you are, my lady. Right, I will meet you on the second floor at seven pm. You owe me those beers. Ask your roomie to come. Is she hot?”

He looked at me hopefully.

“Boiling,” I nodded as I walked into the apartment.

“Yeah?” Josh looked interested. ‘Definitely bring her. Later, baby.’

He tipped an imaginary hat and smiled as he backed out of the door, closing it softly behind him.

I walked into the main room and saw a mustard sofa with cream throws and cushions tossed over it casually. The floor was natural wood; the windows were bay-fronted and overlooked the street. It was an open plan, so the kitchen was tiny, a coffee machine and a stove dominated the small side.

I smiled to myself and squealed.

I am inNew York City!

I opened a door and saw a small, but tidy bathroom, complete with a mirror over the basin and a shower in the corner.

I walked on and saw what must be Nancy’s room. It screamed her: black sheets on the bed and a blood red chair in the shape of lips. A floor-length mirror with fairy lights hung over it stood in the corner, a pile of makeup laid messily on the floor in front of it.

I moved along and opened the door to what was clearly to be my room. The bed was in front of the three large windows with a bedside table on each side. A lamp sat on each table, and along the side of the wall near the bed I saw a wardrobe. A desk was on the other side, with room for my books and my laptop.

I loved it.

I pulled my case in and put my things away.

My phone rang, and I saw it was Cal.

“I wasn’t joking,” his gruff voice made my insides melt.

I fell backwards onto the bed. “I know. His name is Josh, and he was kind enough to bring it up to my room for me. He is going to be more interested in my roomie than me, so please don’t worry. I just owe him some beers.”

I twirled with my hair, remembering Josh calling me ‘curly’ and thought I would leave that bit out.

“Your roommatecannotbe hotter than you. Are you coming back yet?”

I heard the longing in his voice.

“No, I’m not qualified yet,” I teased.

“So, what’re your plans, city girl?” Cal asked.

“Well, Josh said I owe him some beers, so he is going to come here at seven. He wants to meet my hot roomie.”

There was a silence on the other end, and I laughed.

“I have to get to know people, baby…”