Page 7 of Double Booked

“Occasionally, but I’d rather read.”

“Hmm.”

“Anyway, if that’s all, I need to get to work.”

“I guess that’s it for now.”

He nodded and sailed out the door before she could say another word.

For him, there was one surefire cure to ease the turmoil roiling inside him, nature. For the next several hours, he’d immerse himself in his work, his disgruntled roommate be damned.

Three

Eden should have felt relieved when Cole left, but she didn’t. She was sitting on the couch, reviewing her options, when her phone rang, jolting her out of her musing.

Maybe it’s Angela, calling to offer me a full refund after all! Feeling hopeful, she raced into her bedroom and retrieved her phone from the nightstand. It wasn’t Angela, but the next best thing.

“Hey, sis,” she answered.

“You were supposed to call me when you got there,” Hope complained, while also sounding relieved.

“Sorry. It was a rough day.”

“Why? What happened?”

Eden paced the room in her fuzzy slippers and relayed the events of yesterday and this morning, her ire rising again at the retelling.

“Ohmigod, that’s terrible,” Hope said.

“Right?” She knew her sister would be on her side.

“What are you going to do?”

“I don’t know. I could use your advice.” Hope was only one year younger than her, and not only her sister, but her best friend. She was the first person Eden went to for advice or just to talk. It was comforting just hearing her voice.

“It’s tough because you’ve already paid for the cabin.”

“Exactly.”

“And I know how much you wanted to get away.”

“Um-hmm.”

“But if you stay, you have to live with a stranger for four weeks.”

“It’s absurd!”

“What’s he like?” Hope asked. “You haven’t said much about him.”

She’d been too busy ranting about the unfairness of the situation to describe her new roommate. “He’s obnoxious.”

Hope chuckled.

“I’m serious. He’s one of those annoying people who sees the positive side in every situation, even when there isn’t one!”

“You’re right, that is obnoxious,” Hope said dryly.

“He thinks we should stay and make the best of it. I swear he was more excited about the free food than anything!”