I felt a blush creep onto my cheeks as I remembered the deal we had struck with one another. I was supposed to go back to the station and set up a date with Devlin if after two weeks I was still thinking about him.
“I have been thinking about you,” I blurted out before I could stop myself.
“Really?” he asked, raising his eyebrows.
“It’s just… not the right time for me to get involved with anyone,” I said.
“Is there ever a right time?”
I smiled. “Maybe there was a reason I hesitated,” I pointed out. “I mean… if we do end up living together being involved with each other might be a problem.”
“You couldn’t have anticipated this,” Devlin said.
“No,” I agreed. “But sometimes fate has a way of stepping in.”
“You believe in fate?” Devlin asked, with raised eyebrows.
I felt a little self-conscious suddenly, and I realized that I cared what he thought of me. I didn’t particularly like that I cared, but I was forced to admit it.
“Well… I mean… sometimes that’s the only explanation for certain things,” I said, trying to justify it. “And I like believing that everything happens for a reason. I know that’s cheesy.”
“It’s not cheesy,” Devlin replied. “I believe in fate too.”
“Really?” I said, feeling the same connection that I had felt the first time I had met him.
“Uh-huh,” Devlin nodded. “It’s the artist in me.”
I laughed, feeling immediately at ease with him. It made me think that living with Devlin might actually work. But I realized that if we did end up as roommates that basically nixed the potential for anything more happening between us. I looked around the apartment, and I realized how nice it was. I mean, it was certainly far from perfect. It was a total bachelor pad, but there were lots of things I liked about it.
There were enough windows that there was a lot of natural light coming through. The mess was comfortable rather than disgusting, and there were art supplies strewn around that I counted as a positive. He really was an artist, and I like that he was.
“This place is really nice.”
“Thanks,” Devlin said. “I was lucky to get this apartment in the first place. There was a high demand for it.”
“How did you manage to seal the deal?” I asked.
“I charmed the landlord,” Devlin replied. “And I guess I edged out all the other candidates. But I think sleeping with him also helped.”
I burst out laughing, and Devlin joined in. I could actually see us living together. I could see that we could
be friends… good friends. I had never had that with my roommates before, and I knew I couldn’t let this opportunity pass.
“Devlin,” I said, wanting to get that out of the way immediately. “I’m going to be straight with you.”
“Please do.”
“I really need a place to stay, and I like the apartment… and I actually think you and I might get along well.”
“I do too,” Devlin nodded.
“Does that mean… you would consider letting me move in?” I asked, wondering if it was really going to be that easy.
“I’m way past considering it,” Devlin told me. “You can move in whenever you’re ready.”
I smiled. “Seriously.”
“Cross my heart and hope to die.”