Page 14 of Getting Down to Business

“Um. I didn’t write it down. It started with a D. Dave or Drew or something. Doug, maybe. He seemed like a nice guy. He went on and on about the kitchen. So I’m thinking gay.”

“How many times have I told you? Straight men like to cook too.”

“I guess. I told him you’d stop by after work. Here are the directions.”

“Thank-you.” She took the note and nodded. At least it would keep her from hunting down Grayson. She’d been thinking about his offer for days. She needed a new place to live more than she needed a two-night stand.

After work, she walked to the building where the room was for rent. It would be nice to be able to walk to work. She put that on the pros side of her list. Being able to afford it was already on the plus side. Basically, pest free and a roommate who wears clothes at all times, were the last boxes to be checked. Everything else was workable.

She took the elevator, smiling at her wavy reflection in the stainless steel walls. It was a very nice elevator. No pestilence and it didn’t even smell of urine.

Stepping off the elevator, she smoothed down her shirt and rang the bell, taking in the trendy carpet in the hall. She was halfway home.

“Please let the guy be wearing pants. Please, even sweatpants will do.” She crossed her fingers for good measure until she heard the sound of locks and the door opened.

“What the hell?” she stared at the man who was wearing pants. Nice pants. Pants that didn’t really matter because she’d seen him without his pants. “Grayson?”

“Hi.” He looked down the hall and tilted his head. “How did you know where I live?”

“I didn’t. I was given this address about a room for rent.”

His eyes went wide.

“You’re here about my spare room?”

“Your name doesn’t start with a D,” she pointed out.

“No. My friend Doug was helping me out.”

“My friend Freddie was helping me find a new place.”

“Hmm. Are you sure you don’t believe in fate?” he asked with a smile.

At this point maybe she did believe in fate, and Fate was a sadistic bastard.

* * * *

“Come in. Let me show you around,” Grayson offered, opening the door wider. He made a valiant attempt to keep his smile at a normal level. He knew how skittish she was about things like fate and friendship.

“No need. I won’t be moving in.”

“Hold on. You didn’t even see it.”

“It doesn’t matter. I’m not moving in with you.”

“But you were willing to move in with a complete stranger?” So they had history—a very satisfying history. Not to mention short. “Wait. What happened to your roommate?”

“She’s kicking me out.”

“Because of what happened the night I came over?”

She turned to head back to the elevator, but he jumped in front of her, blocking her path. It seemed like it was the only way to hold a conversation with the woman.

“It wasn’t working out anyway.” She shrugged it off, but he could tell she was worried.

“But that means it’s partly my fault.”

“It isn’t.” She ducked around him, but he cut her off.