We finish our lunch before heading back to the apartment, packing the car and setting off on the twenty-minute journey to the outskirts of town.
This past weekend has been an absolute blur and as I sit in Lexi's little Audi listening to the radio, I realise that for the first time since Friday evening, I can breathe.
Lexi hasn't heard back from her big audition yet, so not only did she drag me out to celebrate on Friday, she convinced me to go out last night too. She's been acting for years but so far, she's only booked a few commercials and walk on roles. She's talented, so I know she'll get her big break soon but her need to distract herself from rejection often gets her in to trouble.
And since I'm staying with her, I get dragged along for the ride.
“You okay sis?” Lexi takes her eyes off the road for a second to glance over towards me. “You look nervous.”
“Yeah, I'm fine.” I lie.
“You don't sound convinced. What's wrong?” I guess I'm not as good an actress as my sister.
I sit in silence, trying to think of a way to get her off my case.
“Just last-minute nerves. I'll be fine once I'm there.” I want so badly to tell her that the thought of living with Ethan makes my heart race, my palms sweaty and my throat close up on me. That no matter how much I try to block it out, I can't shake the feeling that I'm not cut out for this and it's going to end in disaster.
But I know she won't understand.
Luckily, our favourite song comes on the radio, so she turns it up, and we sing along at the top of our lungs.
As we pull up in the courtyard outside the house, Lexi's chin hits the floor. It was dark and overcast the last time I saw the place but here, in the light of day, it's even more impressive than I remember.
The ancient stone-built structure has been fitted with a heavy, dark grey wooden entrance. Large windows spanning the height of the building are dotted around giving views of the picturesque countryside.
“Wow!” she is still gob smacked “I can't believe you're going to be living here while I'm stuck in that shitty little apartment.”
“Yeah, but at least that apartment is yours.” I shrug as I get out of the passenger side door, slamming it closed behind me.
Just as I get to the boot, I turn to see the front door opening and Ethan filling the entrance. He's looking amazing in a pair of jeans that hug his thighs and a shirt that stretches over his bulging biceps and for a second, the wind is knocked out of me. Keep it together Mia.
“Hi Ethan.” I call out as I make my way over to him, carrying one of my boxes. “This is my sister, Lexi. Lex, this is Ethan.”
“Ladies.” his deep, gravelly voice immediately gets Lexi's attention.
“Well hello there handsome.” Great, we haven't even made it through the door, and she's already flirting.
“Madison is with my sister, so I'll introduce you both this evening. Follow me, I'll show you to your room.” Within seconds, he is back in the house and Lexi is standing beside me, fanning herself with her hand.
We follow him into the house, through the maze of corridors and eventually we are stood outside what appears to be my new room.
As the door swings open, I am mesmerised by the sight before me. The room looks like someone jumped inside my head and designed a room so perfect I couldn't even imagine it myself, and there's so much space.
The room alone is bigger than Lexi's whole apartment with plenty of storage space, a king-sized bed with a burgundy bedspread and a grey cable knit throw folded neatly at the bottom and a vinyl motivational quote on the wall above my bed.
There's a yoga mat and other accessories in the corner next to a chest of drawers and a little chair in the bay window which is accompanied by an empty bookcase. I could literally live in this room if I wanted to.
The only thing missing is a TV with access to Netflix, but my laptop will do.
“I had my decorators look at your social media to make sure you felt comfortable. I hope it's okay?” he smiles and then his voice trails off as he disappears into the hallway “The bathroom is just down the hall. Feel free to explore, and if you need anything I'll be in my study.”
“Holy shit Mia.” Lexi gasps “This is amazing. Now, I'm off to find that gorgeous hunk of a man. You're alright unpacking, aren't you?”
I guess I'm left to unpack on my own because she's gone before I have the chance to protest.
Typical Lex, always thinking about herself. It's a good job we're sisters because I doubt we'd be friends otherwise.
Three trips to and from the car, an hour of unpacking later and I'm almost done.
“Thanks for all your help Lex.” I mumble to myself under my breath as she drives away. I was hoping she'd stick around for moral support until Madison gets home, but she's been offered a call back tomorrow and needs to prepare.
I've not got much but I've been dragging it out in an attempt to avoid spending any one-on-one time alone with him.
As I pull the last few things out of the final box and find somewhere for them to live, I notice a small box wrapped in red tissue paper with a little message attached.
Thought this might come in handy now you’re single (and living with a stud) Enjoy! x
I'm not
