5. Ari
five
Ari
The universe must have a cruel sense of humor if this is my fate.
How else would I possibly end up at Urban Grind across from Lucia Torres of all people?
The woman who I’m not sure has ever had a nice word to say to me.
The woman I’m about to make my fucking roommate because, contrary to what she believes, I’m a nice guy and don’t want to see her out on the street.
Universe—one. Ari—zero.
Lucia takes a sip of her coffee, and all I can smell is peppermint. I’ve never been a fan of minty coffee, but to each their own. I prefer to not drink my toothpaste.
The silence between us grows louder, but I refuse to be the one to break. If she wants to talk, she needs to talk.
I’ll just focus on the barista behind the counter who thinks she’s discreetly looking at me.
She’s not.
But she’s cute, so I wink at her, and she immediately turns beet-red.
I know it’s cocky, but I don’t mind the effect I have on people.
“Alright, Casanova,” Lucia breathes, finally breaking the silence. “Stop flirting with the barista, will you?”
“I need something to fill my time since you aren’t talking.”
“You gonna fuck her in the supply closet?”
“I’m not opposed.”
“You’re such a fuckboy.”
I smirk at her. “Now, now, that’s no way to speak to your new roommate.”
Lucia groans and throws her head back. “I already fucking regret this.”
“Not too late to go for the cardboard box,” I shrug, leaning against the booth with my arms resting on the back.
“You know I hate being in this situation, right? That if I had any other options, I’d take them in a heartbeat?”
“Bit of a blow to my ego, Spitfire, but it’s not like I’m looking forward to this either.”
Lucia scrubs her hands down her face. “Is this seriously happening?”
“You tell me,” I reply. “You’re the one looking for a place to live.”
“Why are you okay with this? You hate me, Ari.”
I roll my eyes. “I don’t hate you, Lucia. I don’t like you. There’s a difference.”
She takes a deep breath, and her shoulders fall. “Why are you letting me do this?”
Her voice is soft, barely above a whisper. This is a far cry from the woman I know her to be. She’s always bold and brash, never so… dejected.
It’s even more disarming than her usual demeanor.
“Because,” I say, finally answering her question, “despite what you want to believe of me, I’m not an asshole.”
“You’re an asshole to me.” Lucia’s voice is still soft but closer to normal now.
“You realize you about bit my goddamn head off when we met, right?” I scoff.
“You were trying to tell me what to do,” she fires back. “I didn’t even know you yet.”
“I never once told you what to do.” I cross my arms and gaze at her defiantly. “I told you what I saw, and you immediately came to Matt’s defense.”
“You kept pressing,” Lucia bites, pointing her finger at me. “I told you we weren’t together, but you didn’t let it go.”
“Because I knew he was going to cheat on you!” I practically shout, wincing when I realize I probably just made some of the patrons look over at us.
I watch as the words settle over her, and the feistiness she just got back is gone again. Lucia is deflated, shoulders slumped as she stares at the table.
“How did you know, though?”
I sigh. “I’ve known people like that in my life. I know how they operate. You weren’t together then, but it didn’t matter. Any man who’s going to make you a priority in a relationship is one who won’t look at another woman, regardless of being exclusive or not.”
She pulls her cardigan tighter around her chest. “Part of me wishes I’d listened to you.”
Does she… regret acting the way she did?
“Yeah, I wish you did, too.”
There you go, Ari. That’ll go over well.
“You’re a fucking ass,” she bites.
Can’t say I don’t deserve that.
“Look,” I sigh, trying to move this along. “We’re getting off topic. Do you want a place to stay or not?”
Lucia rolls her eyes before letting her head fall back, staring at the ceiling like it’s going to give her another option.
It clearly doesn’t because she groans and drops her head back to face me. “Yes.”
I may not be a complete asshole, but that doesn’t mean I’m not an asshole at all. So, of course , I have to tease her.
“There. Was that so hard?”
If looks could kill, I’d already be six feet under.
“I’m doing this out of desperation, Morgan. This isn’t going to be a permanent thing.”
“Fine by me.” I reach into my pocket and grab my keyring, sliding off the spare key I put on before I left my place. I rest my elbow on the table and hold the key out for her. “Here.”
She grabs it apprehensively but pockets it and lets out a breath.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t worry about it. You said your lease ends soon, but I’m heading to Korea next week, so I won’t be here when you move in. I’m assuming you can handle that part on your own.”
“Of course, I can,” she replies, offended. “I’m not weak. I can handle myself.”
Dislike her as I may, I’ve still got eyes. I know she’s not weak because it’s very apparent when you look at her.
Honestly, Lucia could probably kick my ass.
It’s kinda hot, though.
“Good.”
“What about rent?”
“I’m not worried about rent. I’ve already paid for the place outright. Just save your money, and you can find your own place sooner.” I finally stand up from the booth. “You know my address. Let me know when you move in.”
She agrees, and I say my goodbye before heading back out into the cold.
I officially have a roommate.
For the first time since college.
I’m sure this won’t be a disaster at all.