Page 17 of The Reluctant Roommate

“So far, so good. The place is lovely, and my roomie is nice.”

“The only time I shared with someone who owned the house, they turned into a control freak. You know thoseAm I the Arsehole?posts on Reddit? Bea could have starred in all of them.”

“Morgan’s not like that.” Heidi lowered her voice. She had no idea if Morgan was home, and talking about her wasn’t likely to endear her to her roomie.

“So when can I come over and see what life is like in Wash Park? I’m only maybe twenty minutes away.”

“I’m working tonight. Tomorrow?”

“I’m working then. Friday?”

“Double shift.”

Lula laughed. “It’s always like this when two hospitality workers try to hang out. How’s Robert? Has he got rid of anyone else yet?”

“The other bartender. That’s why I have double shifts. At least it’s more money.”

“Start saving for that car. It’s not a great part of town to walk alone.”

“You’re telling me.” Footsteps sounded in the living room. “I better go, Lula, if I’m to have something to eat before work.”

“Me too. See you soon—I hope.”

Heidi ended the call and resumed putting away her groceries. Morgan had obviously forgotten to clear a shelf for her in the fridge. She pursed her lips and debated before moving Morgan’s stuff from the second shelf to the top and combining her fruit and veggies in one crisper.

“Hey.”

Morgan’s voice came from over her head, and Heidi startled, banging her head on the glass shelf. She backed out of the fridge.

“Sorry,” Morgan said. “I thought you heard me come in.”

“No harm done.” Heidi rubbed the top of her head. “I’m hardheaded—at least that’s what my eldest brother always says, and he’s tried to kill me a few times.”

Morgan’s eyes widened.

“Only joking,” Heidi added. “Jake and I get on well. Most of the time, anyway. Just the usual sibling squabbles.”

Morgan pushed past her and reached for the fridge shelf. “Can you remove your food? I need to fix this.”

The shelf was skewed from her head colliding with it but looked otherwise okay. All the same, Heidi lifted out the various items and set them on the counter.

Morgan removed the shelf and turned it over, inspecting it. “It doesn’t seem to be damaged.” She took it across to the sink and wiped it.

Damaged? Heidi’s lips twitched. Her head was the thing that had suffered damage, not a shatterproof fridge shelf. She finished putting her veggies into the crisper.

Morgan returned with the shelf and refitted it. Her gaze lingered on Heidi’s half cabbage and bag of carrots taking up most of the bottom shelf, but she didn’t say anything. Sheopened her crisper and rearranged the contents. “I always put the soft fruits on top.”

“Noted,” Heidi said. “Sorry. I had to make room for mine, and I guessed you hadn’t had time to clear space for me.” Her breath trickled out. This was like walking on eggshells. Her head spun with things to remember: disinfecting countertops, stacking the dishwasher, loading the fridge, crumbs, and coffee machines. And this was just the kitchen. She held up her bag of coffee. “Want one?”

“Sure,” Morgan said.

Heidi busied herself with the unfamiliar machine. The grinder didn’t seem to work as well as when Morgan did it, and the grounds spilled onto the counter when she tamped them down. Two lights were flashing. What were they? Water? That was easily fixed, but only after opening and closing various compartments did she figure out the spent-grounds drawer was full. “Are you working today?”

“I’ll put in a few hours later,” Morgan said.

“Lucky you, able to pick your own hours.”

Morgan turned to look out the window. “It has its benefits.”