Marriage of Unconvenience

“So, I’m moving out in three weeks. You can either keep the place and pay the full rent, or find someone else. Up to you.” I blinked at her for a few seconds.

“You’re moving out?” She’d said it so fast that my brain needed a second to catch up.

“I’m subletting in a better neighborhood. I’m going to be packing up most of my stuff, so make sure you return anything you might have borrowed.” I hadn’t borrowed any of her shit and she knew that.

“Oh, okay,” I said. Great, just great. She gave me a tight little smirky smile and went back down the hall to her room and slammed the door.

So much for standing still. Now I had to figure out if I was going to stay or go. The rent was pretty reasonable, so I could stay now that I was getting the inheritance money, so I didn’t have to panic too much. Plus, I could move into the nicer bedroom once Lisa vacated it. Maybe I could turn the spare into an office or something. Or get a dog. That would be nice.

Plus, having the place to myself? Not so bad. I was already thinking about redecorating. This could be great. I could make this work.

And then I remembered Cara. Holy shit, another incredible idea. I called her right away.

“Have you found an apartment yet?” I asked by way of a greeting. I was vibrating with excitement again.

“Uh, no. Not really. I did find a nice box in the basement, though, so I might live there.” I didn’t have time to laugh at her joke.

“You can move in with me. Lisa’s moving out and I can deal with the rent on my own, but you need a place and I have one,” I said all in a rush. I wished she was with me in person so I could hug her and we could jump up and down and celebrate.

“Wait, really?” she said after a few seconds of silence.

“Yes! Then I won’t have to worry about getting along with a roommate because we get along already. It’s totally perfect.” Yet another good idea. I was having all kinds of them lately. And saving not just my own ass, but my best friend’s.

“Are you sure about that?” Was she serious?

“Cara. You’re my best friend. Living with you would literally be the best thing. I mean, I don’t want to pressure you. But if you want to live here, you can move in with me.” I probably should have opened with that instead of throwing the idea at her as if I’d already decided she should do it. That was always one of my issues. I got a little too enthusiastic and started running before I’d even made a plan.

“Oh, wow, yeah. I mean, I’d love to live with you, Lo. I can’t think of anything better. If you’re sure.”

“I couldn’t be more sure if I tried.”

“Holy crap, that is amazing. I don’t have to live in a box.” I laughed.

“Nope. You can have your very own room with walls and everything.”

“How will I handle living in such luxury?”

“Um, don’t hate me, but I’m going to move into the other room, if that’s okay?” I probably should have let her pick, but I was a little selfish.

“No, that’s fine. It’s your place. I’m used to having a small room. You know this.” I did. We talked some more about the rent and when she was going to move in and adding her to the lease and so forth.

“We can get a cat. Or a bunny. Or a dog,” I said and Cara laughed.

“Let’s just see if we can live together without ending our friendship first. Spending the night is one thing, seeing someone every single day is another.” I rolled my eyes.

“Care. You practically lived at my house when we were kids. I think we can handle this. Plus, it’s not like we’re sharing a room. Just the kitchen and bathroom and so forth. It’s going to be fine. We’ve got this.” She sighed.

“You’re right. You’re totally right. I’m just being weird. Okay, so we’re getting married and living together now?” I guess we were.

“Yup. You’re gonna be my live-in wife.” It was the first time I’d referred to her as my wife and the word had never struck me as anything special until now. But pairing that word with Cara was something else. It hit me just as hard as when she’d proposed and put the ring on my finger.