Chapter 8

“Fine,” Taylor acknowledged. “I have an early morning practice daily, so I’ll shower at six am.”

“I don’t like clutter, so make sure you clean up after yourself. Then, I don’t like noise. I hope we can keep things quiet around here,” Charlie added.

“I’m often out, practicing basketball, whatnot,” Taylor revealed. “You won’t see me often.”

“All the better!” Charlie said with enthusiasm.

“No bringing of guests without permission from the other. You have to understand. You have mostly male friends. I don’t want to feel uncomfortable,” Charlie added.

“I understand, but that rule also applies to you,” Taylor answered.

“And if you bring friends, they should respect my things and my space,” Charlie said.

“For a co-tenant, you are so demanding,” Taylor commented. “But that’s fine. I’m particular about boundaries, which means, Miss Charlie Blondie, you are also not allowed to enter my room nor borrow my things without permission.”

“Like I’d need something from you.” Charlie rolled her eyes.

“We are not sharing any food,” Charlie continued.

“Why, how greedy are you?” Taylor asked, his lips twitching in the end.

“Men eat more than women. I’m not going to be your sugar roomie!” Charlie claimed.

“Hah! Sugar roomie?” Taylor reacted. “Really?”

“Those are my terms. If you disagree, I’ll move out, and you need to pay me back ASAP. Take it or leave it!” Charlie insisted.

Taylor let out an irritated sigh. He belatedly replied, “Fine. It’s a deal.”

“Great! Well, since that’s settled. I’ll order some burrito, and I’m not sharing that with you,” Charlie said. Her eyes squinted at Taylor before turning on her heel and marching to her room.

An hour later, Charlie was in the living room waiting for her burrito. Her food was running late because of the rain.

Taylor, on the other hand, had cooked stew for himself. Charlie was shocked by how the beef stew smelled so good! She never thought that someone like Taylor West could cook!

Soon, Taylor started eating. The living room and dining area were only a few steps apart, so he could easily see how annoyed Charlie was by the delay in her food.

“Do you want some?” Taylor asked. “Oh, right.” He smirked and took it back, “We are not sharing food. My bad.”

“I don’t like beef stew,” Charlie whined. “If you can’t finish it, you can give it away.”

When Taylor was done eating, he set his plate aside. From where Charlie sat, she saw Taylor pour the remaining beef stew into a container and seal it. He said, “Hey, you can give this to your delivery guy. I don’t eat a heavy meal in the morning, so this will just go to waste.”

“Ah, yeah. Sure. I’ll give it to the delivery guy,” Charlie said confidently.

“Okay, thanks, Roomie,” Taylor smirked. He pointed to his room and said, “I’m going to bed, and I’m not coming back.”

“Great!” Charlie said.

“Goodnight,” Taylor added. “Enjoy your burrito.”

“Oh, I will. Burrito is the best!” Charlie said, nodding.

Shortly, Charlie heard Taylor lock his bedroom door. She waited for a good two minutes before eating the beef stew.

“Oh, my god!” She cried the second she had a spoonful. “It tastes like grandma Renee’s cooking. It’s so irritating that it’s so fucking good.”

She ate so fast that she finished the remaining food in just five minutes. After which, she got rid of the evidence.

Charlie would never admit to eating Taylor’s food!

When the delivery guy arrived, Charlie felt guilty about eating the beef stew. So, she said, “Thanks for your effort in delivering my burrito in the heavy rain. As a reward for your great service, you can have the burrito.”

“Seriously?” the delivery guy replied. He looked more irritated than overjoyed.

After sending off the delivery guy, Charlie happily walked back to her room. As she reached the hallway, Taylor suddenly stepped out of his room.

“Hey, Charlie Blondie.” Taylor reached out to her, making Charlie step back.

“No touching, remember?” Charlie yelled, but Taylor was fast.

Taylor wiped something off the corner of her lips with his thumb. He showed it to her and asked, “What’s this red sauce?”

Charlie was horrified! She answered, “It’s - it’s the burrito.”

With a frown, Taylor tasted the sauce. He said, “It tastes like beef stew.”

“It’s a new flavor! A beef stew burrito!” Charlie claimed. She angrily walked into the room and slammed her door shut.

"I thought you did not like beef stew!"