Free Beautiful Rose by Missy Johnson Page B

live in number sixty-nine. I won't tell you what he made us do our first night here,” she sniggered, opening the door. I screwed up my nose.
    Eww, way too much information!
    She stepped aside to let me through. The layout was nearly identical to the place downstairs, only opposite. Where she had her living room to the right, ours was to the left. Their taste was much more eclectic, with mismatched furniture and huge pieces of artwork hanging on the walls. Next to the small faded blue sofa lay two giant beanbags.
    “I can't get over how nice these apartments are,” I mused.
    “I know. You should have seen the dump we were living in before here. Actually, Jack hooked us up. He was living here, and when this place became available, so we moved in.” My head perked up at the sound of his name. Darcy noticed and giggled. “He actually used to live in the apartment you’re in,” she added, laughing.
    “Don't start,” I groaned.
    I walked over to the sofa and sat down as Darcy got us a drink. Everyone seemed to have some thoughts on Jack and me and it made me feel sick because I was so attracted to him. And one minute I was positive there was something there for him too, but then he would do or say something that left me convinced otherwise. I wasn’t talking about love, because come-on, it had been two days…that would be creepy. But, from that first day at the hospital there was something there.
    “I didn't say anything,” Darcy giggled, handing me a glass of lemonade.
    She set a bowl of olives on the table. Olives? I looked at her, confused.
    “It’s the only thing I have,” she responded defensively. She picked one up and threw it in her mouth, as if to make a point. “Yum.” I shook my head and laughed. Darcy certainly was unique.
    “You didn't have to say anything. It's the way you look at me. Not just you, it's everyone,” I grumbled, getting back to Jack.
    “Honey, it's not you their giggling at. It’s obvious the guy is hot for you, and when you’ve known him as long as we have, you know how rare that is.” She smiled at me sympathetically. “Jack is the king of masking his feelings.” I rolled my eyes. Great. That made me feel so much better.
    “I asked him out for Tacos.” Darcy’s eyes widened, her mouth falling open.
    Yep. That’s just about how I felt too. I had no idea what came over me. Tacos, of all things? And who asks their new boss out, only hours after getting the job? And for Tacos of all things? The biggest shock was when he said yes.
    “Why Tacos?” Darcy asked, confused.
    “Because I like them,” I replied defensively. “I can’t believe he actually agreed though.”
    “Neither can I,” muttered Darcy.
    I raised my eyebrows at her and she giggled.
    “I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just so….not Jack .” We both sat in silence for a moment, Darcy finally breaking the silence. “Okay, enough about him. Tell me about you,” She ordered, kicking her legs out over my lap. I smiled. She was so laid back, and it was impossible not to love her. We already had more of a connection than I’d had with any friend in my life.
    “Me? There's not much to tell. I grew up in Manhattan, but had a falling out with my parents.” I waved my hand around. “Which is why I'm here.”
    Darcy nodded. “I know that feeling. I haven't spoken to my mom since I left home five years ago. My childhood was less than enjoyable. Mom drank a lot, and when she drank she got violent.”
    “That would’ve been awful,” I replied, wincing. At least my parents never hit me. Probably because that would’ve meant acknowledging me
    Darcy shrugged. “It was, but I guess in a way going through what I did made me who I am today.”
    Why couldn’t I be like that and accept things were bad for me and grow from it? In spite of her tiny physique, Darcy was shaping up to be one of the strongest people I’d known.
    Maybe some of that self-assurance would rub off on me.
    “So, where is Benj?” I