Hollywood Roommates

9

“I did. Sign it or pack your bags.”

I snatch the pen from his fingers. “Fine. But just so you know, I would never sleep with any of you anyway. The very idea is so arrogant, so ridiculous, so—”

“I’m not worried about you. I’m worried about them.”

I huff. “I doubt they’re even interested.”

“They are. Any man would be.” His eyes slowly rake up and down my body in a way that brings heat to my cheeks.

“Even you?”

His face goes blank again, his mouth twisting. “No. Not me.”

Of course not. I scrawl my name across the bottom of his contract, then shove the papers at his chest. His very firm chest. “Anything else? Want me to get a permission slip every time I use the restroom? Or fill out a form when I want to bring a guy home with me?”

His eyes narrow. “You can bring home as many guys as you want. No form required.”

I prop my hands on my hips. “Good! Because I’m going to bring a lot of men home with me! Dozens of them, in fact!”

“Fine!” He snatches the pen from my hand and storms out of the room before slamming the door to his bedroom, leaving me scowling at nothing.

I slam my own door, just because, then shove my things off the bed so I can collapse on top of it.

Now that I’m alone, the day catches up to me. I started this morning full of hope and happiness, with a sense that everything was going to be magical today. Then I had lunch with Parker and saw the plane and…well, we all know how that went.

After meeting with Brooke, I ran back to my apartment and shoved everything I could in my car through my tears, then raced over here. Now I’ve somehow found myself living with three of the sexiest men alive in a huge freaking beach house. How is this my life?

My phone buzzes and Brooke’s name flashes on the screen. “What’s up?” I ask.

“Just calling to see how you’re doing,” she says. “You’re not a big crying mess, are you?”

I can’t help but laugh. “Not at the moment, but the night’s still young.”

“Good. Are the guys treating you okay?”

“Yeah, they’re fine.” I sit up and stare out the window at my new ocean view. “Why didn’t you tell me who they were though? Or about how amazing this place is? You could have prepared me better!”

“I didn’t think it was that big a deal,” she says.

“Not that big a deal? I’m living in a beach house with the hottest men in Hollywood!”

“Hmm, I suppose for a bunch of dudes they’re attractive. I didn’t think of that. Sorry.”

I sigh. Brooke is a lesbian, so I can forgive her for her lack of foresight in this matter. Plus, her family is wealthy, so maybe this amazing house is normal to her too. Either way, she saved my butt when she convinced her brother to let me stay here, so I can’t be upset with her.

“Just don’t go falling for any of them,” she says. “This is only temporary, remember.”

“Of course. I have a firm ‘look but don’t touch’ policy in place. Not to mention, your brother made us all sign this contract saying no sexy times are allowed between any of us.” I grin to myself. “Besides, how would I choose between them?”

“Allie…”

I flop back on the bed. “I know, I know. Don’t worry about me. I’m fine.”

“Okay, good.” She pauses and I hear shuffling in the background. “Hey, I have to go. I have a date tonight with a girl in Accounting.”

“Ooh, have fun. Let me know how it goes.”

“I will.”

We hang up and I stare at the white ceiling overhead, trying to relax. Except as I lie there the breakup with Parker plays through my head again. I wasted one year on him and he betrayed me and tossed me aside like I was nothing. The worst part is I still care for him. I wanted to marry the guy, after all. It’ll take some time for me to get over him. I just pray it won’t be too long. I don’t want the asshole taking up any more of my life. I want to move on.

At least I have three sexy-as-sin guys to distract me from Parker—even if I’m not allowed to do anything with them. Whatever, I can still look. And fantasize about them from the privacy of my own room.

The best part is: in those fantasies, I don’t have to choose only one.

CHAPTER SEVEN

ALLIE

I SPEND my first night in the beach house moping over my ex, but in the morning I decide to put Parker out of my thoughts for the rest of the day. Hell, the rest of my life. And as my way of thanking the guys for letting me live here with them, I head upstairs to make them some breakfast.

I step into the kitchen and marvel at how big and beautiful it is, like something out of a home design catalog. Everything is new and shiny and pristine. I begin opening cabinets, checking out what kind of cooking setup they have here. They have gorgeous cookware and quite a few ingredients stashed in the pantry, but they’re missing a few things I’ll need. Luckily I come prepared.

After a quick trip back to my room, I’ve spread everything I need across the kitchen counter and get to work. I don’t know what the guys like, or if they’re gluten-free or allergic to nuts or what, so I decide to make two of my favorite treats.

I sing to myself while I work and soon the kitchen smells like warmth and happiness. It’s also completely covered in flour and chocolate chips and coconut, but hey, that’s how it goes. I’ll clean up later. Promise.