Free The Reaping (The Reapers Book 1) by Katharine Sadler Page B

frowned slightly. “I’m interested in the room you advertised in the paper. I probably should have called first, but I was already on your street and my cell is dead, so I figured I’d just stop by.”
    I was stunned. It had been two months since Angelica and I’d placed that ad on the off chance that someone might be interested in renting the third bedroom, a room not much bigger than a walk-in closet. “I didn’t think the ad was still being run.”
    Cat shrugged. “It might not be. I cut it out a couple of months ago when I was fighting with my boyfriend. Then we got back together. Then last week, he split for good, and the lease on our place was in his name. Is the room still available?”
    I tried to clear the fog in my brain still left over from my nap. “Yes, actually, we could still use a roommate. The room is tiny, and Angelica would have to meet you, too, but if you have a few minutes to talk, I can show you the room. I’m Kelsey, by the way.”
    Cat stuck out a hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
    I stared at her hand blankly for a moment. I wasn’t used to shaking hands with people my own age. She just stuck her hand out further until I shook it. “Please, come in.” I opened the door wider and gestured her in.
    Despite my best wishes, I wasn’t sure I’d have much in common with the thin, elegant woman who walked so gracefully into our cluttered, low-rent place. Angelica and I weren’t desperate for a roommate but neither of us would mind having the extra cash. Of the two of us, Angelica was the better judge of character, so I wasn’t really paying too much attention to Cat. All I really cared about was whether or not she’d pay her rent on time and not cause any major problems.
    “How long have you lived here?” she asked, running a hand with long tapered fingers along the wall.
    “A year and a half.”
    Cat nodded and smiled. She walked around the living room and stepped into the small hallway that led to the three bedrooms. “May I?”
    “Of course.” I followed her, hoping I’d made my bed that morning.
    She looked into both bedrooms briefly and poked her head into the bathroom. I had made my bed, but I hoped she couldn’t see the thin film of dust covering every surface. She started back toward the living room and I followed. “It’s so cute.”
    I had heard a lot of words to describe my apartment, but cute wasn’t one of them. “The rent is eleven-hundred a month. Since the room is so small, we’d want a fourth from you, plus a third of the utilities.”
    “Oh, okay,” Cat said, meeting my eyes directly. “I’d love to take it. If it’s okay with you.”
    It seemed too easy and I felt there was something more that should be said. Hadn’t I wanted to ask Cat some questions? But I couldn’t think of anything to ask her. “Um, great. Angelica will want to meet you before we commit to you moving in. We both work full-time, so we aren’t around much.”
    “I work full-time, too, so I won’t be in your way. I’d love to meet Angelica. The sooner the better, actually. I’m just couch surfing right now.”
    “I’ll call you tonight with a time to meet.” She gave me her phone number and I typed it into my cell.
    “Thank you. It was nice meeting you.” And Cat headed out the door.
    “Bye.” I started to shut the door, but Caleb popped up in Cat’s place.
    “Hey,” he said, his smile anxious. “I ran into Angelica and she told me where you live. I hope you don’t mind me stopping by.”
    “Hi,” I said. “I don’t mind at all, but I’ve got to be at work in fifteen minutes, and I’ve got to change.”
    “Mind if I wait and walk with you?”
    “I’d love the company,” I said as I ushered him in. “Is everything okay?” It was nice to see him, but a little weird if he’d shown up for no reason. Did no one use the phone anymore?
    He looked around the apartment as though he was expecting someone to be there. “Yeah, yeah, everything’s great. I