I glance at the clock. I was planning to head to the grocery store now because I’ll be too lazy to go later.
Ah fuck it. I’ll just leave a message at the front door in case “Sailor Moon” decides to stop by before I get back.
5
CHARLIE
I go check out Ophelia’s house straight from Golden Oaks, which unfortunately means I’m still wearing my Sailor Moon costume. I wasn’t planning on stopping by anywhere after the party, but it would be insane to go home and change considering the drive. I hope her grandson doesn’t think I’m a lunatic.
I park in front of the Spanish-style house and stare at the construction for a minute. It’s in a nice area, quiet, and the best part, it’s only five minutes away from campus. It’s closer to school than my old place was. And Ophelia wasn’t kidding when she said the house was big. Judging from the outside, it must have at least four bedrooms. I wonder why Wolfie never got any roommates.
Maybe he likes to live alone. Shit. Am I imposing? It’s Ophelia’s house and she can do whatever she wants, but the last thing I want is to feel unwelcome.
I fix the skirt of my dress first to make sure my ass isn’t showing and then stride toward the front door. Taking a deep breath, I look for the doorbell. My eyes catch a note taped next to it. It’s addressed to Sailor Moon.
What the hell? How does he know? I groan internally. Ophelia must have said something. I don’t know if I should be relieved or mortified.
I grab the folded paper and read the note.
Hey, sorry I missed you. I had to run a quick errand. Feel free to go in and check out the house. The key is under the welcome mat. I’ll be back shortly.
P.S. In case you’re not Sailor Moon but a regular burglar, I have hidden cameras everywhere. Steal from me, and your ass is mine.
A chuckle escapes my lips. I think Wolfie and I will get along fabulously.
I retrieve the key from under the mat and let myself in. A faint old-house smell reaches my nose, and as I walk farther inside, it mixes with a delicious lemony aftershave scent. Goose bumps break out on my arms. I’m a sucker for good smells.
The living room is large, but even so, the L-shaped leather couch almost looks too big for the space. There’s also a brand-new flat-screen TV that takes up most of the wall, and tucked neatly in the storage unit below it, I spot several video game consoles. I shake my head. Boys and their toys.
I veer for the kitchen, and my excitement grows by leaps and bounds. It’s been remodeled recently with top-of-the-line appliances. I like to bake when I have the time, but my old kitchen offered me zero motivation. It was small and too old. This is heaven.
It’s a two-story house, and I quickly head to the second floor. I wish Wolfie had told me which room would be mine if I decide to stay, but he’s not here, so that means I can explore the entire house.
I open the first door I come to, which leads to a big, airy room with large windows. It’s almost empty except for some boxes that are stacked up in a corner. I walk in, guessing this one would be my room. There’s an en suite bathroom, and the walk-in closet would fit all my clothes and costumes. This is a dream-come-true bedroom. I really have to make sure Wolfie likes me because I’m already in love with this place.
I continue my perusal of the second floor. The next door I try opens to a room that’s currently being used as a home gym. There’s a bench press, several dumbbell weights, elastic bands, and a treadmill. Apparently, Wolfie likes to work out. I wonder if he’ll let me use this space too. I have a gym membership, but if I go there twice a week, I consider it a win. Working out from home would be much easier.
There’s another door at the end of the hallway. That must be Wolfie’s bedroom. I debate opening the door to peer inside, but then I remember his threat on the note to the potential burglar. He said there were several hidden cameras in the house. Was that a bluff or the truth?
The sound of the front door opening makes the decision for me. Curiosity killed the cat, but that won’t happen today.
“Hello? Sailor Moon, are you still here?” Wolfie’s baritone voice echoes from downstairs.
“Yeah, I’m coming down.”
Suddenly, butterflies take residence in my stomach. I’m in love with this house, and I want Ophelia’s grandson to like me. When I reach the living room, he’s in the kitchen, putting away groceries in the fridge. His back is to me, and he’s wearing a hoodie, so I can’t really see his face.
“This house is amazing,” I say as I approach the kitchen counter.
“Yeah, it’s not too bad.”
He turns then, and my stomach bottoms out.
Troy fucking Alexander is standing in front of me.
His eyes widen in surprise, and for a moment, neither of us speaks. My brain is going a hundred miles an hour.
This can’t be happening. It must be a sick joke. Troy can’t possibly be Ophelia’s grandson.
“What the hell are you doing here?” he asks finally, narrowing his eyes.
“I came to see about the room,” I reply automatically. I’m still in shock at Troy’s presence here.
His eyes take in my ensemble. “You’re Sailor Moon?”
Like an idiot, I drop my chin and look at my clothes for a second. “I guess I am for today. She told me your name was Wolfgang.”
“That’s my middle name. She never calls me Troy.” He threads his fingers through his long bangs, pushing them back. “I can’t believe this. How the hell do you know my grandmother?”
“She lives in Golden Oaks. My grandfather was also a resident before he passed. I’ve known Ophelia since she moved in. I still visit every weekend.”
His eyebrows arch. “Why?”
“Why?” My voice rises. “Do I need a reason to visit friends?”
Troy stares at me with his mouth hanging open. He doesn’t speak for several beats, but I bet his mind is whirling just like mine is.
“You’re friends with my grandmother?”
“Yes. Is that a surprise to you? She’s awesome.”
His expression softens a tad, and I notice a faint twitch of his lips. “Yeah, she is.”
“Well, I guess I should go.”
I turn toward the front door. There’s no sense in lingering. Troy would never agree to me moving in. I can’t even blame the guy, not after the shitty article I wrote about him.
Mom was right. Sometimes it’s better to just forget stuff and move on.
“Wait. What did you think?” he asks, making me pause.
Slowly, I turn back and look at him. “Are you asking me about the house?”
“Yeah. Do you like it?”
I don’t detect sarcasm in his tone, and his eyes are devoid of deceit.
“I love it.”
“Yeah. It’s pretty nice. Why do you need to rent a room?”
I let out a heavy sigh. “There was a small fire incident where I used to live. No major damage, but the house was a dump to begin with. Now my landlord has to fix all the problems before we can move back in.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. Well, if you like the house, I suppose you can move in. That is, if you don’t mind sharing it with me.”