Rachel

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THE ETHAN STANDING in front of me was nothing like the Ethan Wyatt I remembered at all. He’d always been tall and muscular, always given off an air of cockiness, but he’d never been remotely attractive. At least, to me.

And as much as it pained me to admit it, this Ethan Wyatt was fucking gorgeous.

It was undeniable.

In place of his slightly chubby cheeks from our high school years, was a well-defined and chiseled jawline, and in place of the “bird chest” that I use to tease him about, was a full set of glistening abs and a black and grey tattoo on the right side of his chest.

His ocean blue eyes were still the same, but when he smiled, I noticed that they complemented the deep dimples in his cheeks.

The fact that he was slightly more attractive now didn’t change anything, though. Shortly after his eyes met mine while he was in the hot tub, once the initial shock of attraction faded away, I felt awkward. I silently questioned if we should even consider being roommates, if we were still the hot-headed kids who could be completely cordial one minute and engaged in a fiery argument the next.

“Okay, we’re going to vote now,” Greg said, setting a stack of blankets on the couch for me. “Ethan, can you join me in the kitchen so we can officially discuss our next roommate?”

Ethan headed toward Greg without looking my way, and as if I wasn’t standing close by, Greg began to speak.

“So, let me lay out my reasons why I’m saying yes to Rachel. Then you can say your reasons, and then we can vote.” He held up one finger. “Number one, she’s sexy as hell, but she also has the money according to her dad. I do sense a smart mouth, since when I opened the windows to the deck and said, ‘This is an example of an ocean view,’ she responded with ‘No shit.’ I’m not sure how I feel about that yet.”

Ethan’s lips curved into a slight smile, revealing his deep dimples again. “That’s pretty mild sarcasm for her. You need to know that it will only get worse.”

“Okay so, that’s one strike in my book,” he said. “But back to the positives. Once again, she has the money. She also claims to have taken Sociology on the Semester at Sea ship, and she’s willing to share some of her old notes with me.”

“Greg, Sociology is one of the easiest classes on this campus. Why are you so hell-bent on getting help for that?”

“Because the only professor I could get is Swanson and he’s failed me in two of his other classes.” He paused. “He clearly has it out for me, and I need at least a C to graduate.”

“Any other positives?”

“Did I mention she was attractive as hell yet?”

“You did.” Ethan picked up a bottle of beer and sipped it, still not looking my way.

“Well, let’s put it to a vote.” Greg cleared his throat. “All in favor of Rachel Dawson being our third roommate, say I.”

“I,” I said, in unison with Greg.

Ethan turned around to face me. “You don’t live here. You don’t get a vote in this.”

“Like hell she doesn’t, since it sounds like two to one.” Greg laughed and walked over to me, handing me a beer. “No need for you to sleep on the couch tonight, but we will need your first month of rent by the end of this week.”

“No problem.”

He clinked his beer against mine and looked at his phone. “I’ll be back a little later. I’m about to go fuck—I mean...” He paused, clearing his throat. “Rachel, are you seeing anyone? I’m asking for a friend.”

“Who’s your friend?”

“Me.”

I laughed. “No, I just got out of a relationship.”

“Okay, well, if you ever want to go out with me, I’d be totally up for that.” He headed toward the door. “I mean, after I get done with what I’m doing tonight. Not now.” He said goodbye and rushed out of the door, leaving Ethan and me alone.

“So, you did break up with Daddy Bear?” Ethan stepped in front of me, smirking. “Did he cry?”

“First of all, his name was Tate,” I said. “His bedroom name was Big Bear, and he dumped me.”

“That makes him what? The umpteenth boyfriend that dumped you on that ship?”

“I’m aware.” I stood up. “Thank you for reminding me. Which of the guest rooms am I getting?”

“Neither,” he said, walking over to my suitcases and rolling them forward. “Me and Greg have decided that the new roommate should get the master suite.”

“Really? Why?”

“It’s the only room that isn’t completely insulated.” He smiled a perfect set of pearly whites, and I tried to remember if his smile ever looked like that when we were younger. “Oh, and since it was an addition to the existing house, it’s also the only room in the house that doesn’t have central air conditioning.”

Of course. “Just when I thought you were being generous to me.”

“Never with you.” He walked me down the hall, rolling my things into the massive suite.

Sure enough, the air inside felt warmer than the hallway, and I knew that all the fans in the corner and the boxed air conditioner were going to be put to major use every day.

I opened the doors to the balcony and stepped out on the ledge, smiling as I looked at the bathroom which was five times the size of my entire cabin on the SS World Odyssey.

“The only thing we don’t have in this house is a washer and dryer,” he said. “So you’ll have to take your stuff to the Super Suds laundry mat down the block.” He opened a closet. “There are plenty of canvas bags in your closet, and the walk is only ten minutes.”

“Walk? Don’t you have a car?”

“Yes, I do have a car.  But seeing as though you don’t, I don’t understand what that has to do with you.”

“You’re not going to offer to let me use it when I need to do my laundry? Not even if I go on the same day as you?”

“If I considered you to be my friend, I would. Seeing as though I don’t?” He shrugged, and I rolled my eyes.

The second he placed my smallest suitcase onto an ottoman, I unzipped the side pocket and pulled out a framed envelope. I set it at the center of my dresser. 

“You still haven’t opened your mom’s last letter to you?” he asked.

“No.” I shook my head. “The back of the flap says to open it when and if I’ve run out of people to turn to for advice.”

“Interesting,” he said, lifting my other suitcase on top of a dresser. As he heaved it, my baby blue “reading companion” fell from the top pocket and fell to the floor, buzzing.

Gasping, I reached for it, but he grabbed it first, rolling it around in his palm.

“Hmmm,” he said, smiling. “So, you only need three inches when you’re playing with yourself? Maybe that’s why you always settle so much when it comes to guys.”

I snatched my toy from him and tucked it into my purse. “Thank you for your help. You can leave my room and return to showing your true hateful colors now.”

“After we discuss the rules.” He eyed the open flap of my suitcase, and I zipped it up before any of my other vibrators fell out.

“First rule,” he said, looking serious, “no bonfires or parties. Ever.”

“Noted.”

“Second rule, you need to make sure that you close your shutters every night.” He pointed to the massive grey shutters that framed my windows. “They’re connected to the alarm system, so whenever you’re done for the night, make sure they’re shut.”

“Got it.”

“Third rule, no male company in your bedroom.”

“Excuse me?” I crossed my arms. “What type of rule is that?”

“A brilliant one.” He looked me up and down. “It’s also a non-negotiable one.”

“Do you plan on having any company in your room? Like, are you and Greg seriously saying that you won’t ever invite any females over?”

“The only reason I’m instituting that rule for you is because dating on land is different than it is at sea, and the words “Want to come back to my room and talk?” make a completely different impression.

“Oh...” I cleared my throat. “Right. Well, thanks. I didn’t know you cared so much.”

“I really don’t.” He looked as if he wanted to say something else, but Greg suddenly barged into my room.

“Okay, change of plans!” He held up his hands in surrender. “My ex didn’t want to give me any break-up sex for old times’ sake, so I think Ethan should drive us to The Umbrellas to celebrate our new roomie and a senior year we won’t forget. My treat.”

“Your treat?” I smiled. “Really?”

“Yeah, of course. I’ll buy you both one drink.”