Ask Me (Mess with Me 2)

Ariana smiles, a genuine smile this time. “You don’t hold back. I respect that. Sorry if I’ve been a little bitchy.”

“You haven’t. Not really. But I feel bad that you’re not charging me market value for the room. You’re not even getting a profit for your trouble.”

“The money doesn’t matter. I wanted a roommate so I wouldn’t have to come home to an empty apartment all the time.”

That’s when it hits me.

“You miss her.”

Ari doesn’t look at me as she continues changing the channel on the television. “Yeah. But she’s happy so that’s what matters.”

Now I really feel insensitive. Of course she’s not warming up to me, she went from having her best friend around all the time to living with some random girl from nowheresville.

“You’re a good friend.”

Ari scoffs. “Not really. I’m just trying not to be that jealous bitch who begrudges her friend’s happiness. Anyway, what’s your deal? All I’ve seen you do since you moved in is work and sleep. Haven’t seen you with any guys or anything.”

The question shouldn’t surprise me considering how blunt Ariana usually is, but for some reason it takes me completely off guard. Probably because of the conversation I had with Anya today. It has me thinking about things I shouldn’t be, things that are much better left in the past.

“Are you blushing? Woo, does that mean you’ve been sneaking a guy in here while I’ve been busy feeling sorry for myself?”

“There’s been no sneaking,” I splutter, then put my hands on my cheeks, feeling the heat there. “I told you I don’t have a boyfriend.”

“Mmm, hmm. But there’s one you want.”

“One I can’t have,” I mutter under my breath.

Ari sighs. “I can relate.”

While I sit, stunned at the thought that a girl who looks like a supermodel can relate, Ari puts the remote down. “I’m going to order pizza.” She picks up Oreo, who looks annoyed to have her evening lick fest interrupted, and walks into the kitchen.

Now that we’ve broken the ice, we chat easily while we wait for the pizza. Ariana seems to be in a much better mood and flirts with the teenage pizza delivery boy, sending him away with a wink and a hefty cash tip. I can only shake my head at his perplexed but awed look. Ariana in flirt mode is probably more than most grown men would be able to handle.

After a few slices of pizza, I pull up my homework on my phone and do the reading for my class while giving Oreo the belly scratches she demands. Eventually Ari goes to her room and closes the door.

I blink at my phone when I see the time, then stand and stretch. I’ve been reading for more than an hour still wearing my work clothes. It’s definitely time to change into something comfortable before I attempt to tackle the rest of the client notes Mya gave me this afternoon.

In my room, I drop my oversized bag on the bed and unbutton my blouse. Since I’ve been here, I covered the bed with a purple comforter and stacked the bed with pillows. The furniture Mya left behind is good quality so I haven’t felt the need to do much other than put up some pictures.

My thoughts drift back to my earlier conversation with Ariana. This is a nice room, very homey. But it’s not home. Ari doesn’t talk much about her family so I’m not sure where they are or if this apartment is the only home she has.

At that thought, I pull my phone from my bag and hit the first speed dial. I tuck my phone into the curve of my shoulder so I can rummage through the dresser for some pajama pants.

My mother works the night shift at the Gracewell retirement home because the later shift brings in more money. Since I don’t feel comfortable makin

g personal calls during work hours, I’ve gotten into the routine of calling her at night before bed. By then most of the seniors have everything they need for the night and my mom is able to take a break and chat.

“Hi, sweetie. How are you?” She sounds upbeat but I can hear the exhaustion in my mother’s voice.

“I’m great, Mom. In fact, I got a small promotion at work. I’ll actually be working with the marketing team now instead of just sitting behind the front desk.”

“I knew it! Didn’t I tell you? Anybody can see what a hard worker you are and how smart you are. I’ll just bet they promote you again once you finish your degree. I’m so proud of you.” Mom sighs, the sound filled with contentment.

My mother never criticizes me or makes me feel guilty but I know her life would have been completely different if she hadn’t gotten pregnant and had to drop out of college. She works so hard all the time but never complains. The only time I’ve ever heard her cry is when I called to tell her I was dropping out of school. It feels good to give my mom a reason to smile again.

“I hope so. Maybe one day I’ll be on the marketing team and finally be able to help you out with the bills some.”

“Cassandra Anne, I am just fine. I told you I make more working the late shift at this place. They gave me a nice increase to steal me away from the hospital. They have a hard time finding nurses with the patience to deal with some of the older folks here. They can get a little ornery sometimes. I just want you to concentrate on your studies. I don’t need anything.”