The drive to Devan's house is quiet save for the slow Spanish song playing on the radio.
I always knew that Rachel had two other siblings. An elder brother and a younger sister. She talked mostly about the younger sister, Leah who I had met on various occasions over these years.
When she talked about Devan, it was always nostalgic. Devan was a workaholic from what I had picked from Rachel's conversations. Maybe that was a good thing. It would be best if we weren't in each other's faces all the time.
"Nervous?" Rachel asks lowering the music volume. I nod.
"In this case since he's my brother, I can tell you a few things about your new housemate."
Housemate.
My mind is still grasping the whole concept.
"He is twenty seven, an accountant, green's got to be his favorite color." Rachel shrugs when I cast her a look.
"It has been hard keeping tabs on Devan with all the travelling."
"Any dislikes I should know?" I ask. I might as well prepare myself just in case.
"He hates mangoes, raisins and blueberries."
"Okay."
"Any allergies?"
"None that I know of. Although I should warn you." I am now staring at Rachel alert.
"He owns a Golden retriever?"
"He does?"
"His name is Max."
"Adorable."
I can almost envision Max in the house alone as Devan goes to do whatever he does.
After a half an hour, the wide black gates are opened to reveal a beautiful house. I am sure my eyes are widely opened. When Rachel mentioned his brother had a spare bedroom, I thought he lived in an apartment complex. It never crossed my mind that he owned a house. A very beautiful big house.
It makes me wonder how much he makes to be able to afford such a house but then again Rachel mentioned that he is an accountant. I am guessing accountants make a lot of money.
"Does he live here alone?" The question slips out of my mouth before I am able to stop myself.
"Yes with Max."
"You'll get used to it." Rachel mutters. I hope not. Getting used means getting attached and God knows attachment is a wreck.
I follow Rachel out of the car towards the front door. She retrieves a key and opens the door. The inside of the building is even better. White polished walls stare back at us while we walk further into the living room. My eyes take in the dark brown furniture. The white linen curtains drawn apart look so expensive. The place is so exquisite and spotless. I didn't know a guy could be this clean.
"Max!" Rachel bends down to pat the Golden retriever that just ran to her.
"You've grown so much since the last time I saw you." Rachel adds face to face with Max as he tries to lick his face
"How rude of you to disrespect my house dear sister?"
The beautiful deep masculine voice of the intruder forces my attention to him immediately. There on the upper stair stands my new housemate.
Crap!
I guess no one prepared me for the sight that meets my eyes. His height is the first thing I register. How tall was the man? Then as he walks down the stairs, I can't help but notice his long stride. His hair is a dark brown in contrast to Rachel's whose brown is a shade lighter.
Now as he walks closer, I notice the resemblance. He's got the blue eyes too. Don't get me started on his jawline. It is criminal for such a perfect jawline. I avert my eyes to the floor before he notices my stare.
Suddenly all the questions about liking him are out of the way. The problem I have to deal with now is not liking him too much.
"Don't be such a whiny baby Dev. You gave me your key, remember?" Rachel flashes the key to him. Devan narrows his eyes at Rachel before his gaze turns to mine. I freeze for a fraction of a second under his gaze.
"Dev, meet Nellie, my friend I was telling you about." Rachel introduces.
"I know who she is Rachel." Devan rolls his eyes at her sister. I frown at his answer. How does he know me? I am pretty sure I have never met Devan in person for the years I have know Rachel.
"Hey." Devan greets. I wasn't mistaken about his voice being damned good.
"Nels." Rachel whispers. Oops. Turns out I was spacing out again.
"Hey." I answer timidly and a little embarrassed.
"Have a seat." he offers politely. I take a seat in the softest sofa before Max follows me there rubbing himself against my leg. I pet the puddle feeling the soft fur between my fingers.
"Nellie is going to be staying here for a while as she gets her footing."
"Not for free." I cut in.
That was a stupid move because the two stare at me awkwardly.
"I mean I won't be staying for free. It would be like I am renting your spare bedroom. We can agree on the price..."
"Nels." Rachel casts me a pity look that makes me shut up immediately. I tend to talk a lot of nosense when I am nervous and that accompanied with making a fool out of myself. Shit!
I notice the blank face Devan has. Great. Now he thinks I am a weirdo. Just great.
Rachel casts me an 'I have got this look' before she turns to her brother.
"I trust that it won't be a problem since you will gone most of the time."
"I don't look like I have a choice." Devan sighs. I twiddle with my fingers.
"Unfortunately no." Rachel murmurs.
Suddenly Rachel's phone pings with a message. Her eyes widen when she reads something on her screen.
"Shit!" Rachel exclaims.
"What's wrong?" Devan frowns.
"I have to go now. I promised Ed we'll go vase shopping this evening."
"Vase shopping?" Devan huffs.
"You don't understand these things so you have no right to judge."
"Whatever Rachel." Devan replies.
"Call me when he is being an asshole." Rachel hugs me briefly before she calls Devan.
"Can I speak to you in the kitchen?"
Devan follows Rachel to the kitchen. I am not going to lie, I am curious. What could she probably want to tell him that she doesn't want me to hear.
Curiosity gets the better of me after a few seconds. I walk stealthily to the kitchen door. Eavesdropping is not really a morally acceptable behavior but so is missing out on some gist. I would love to hear what she has to say to him. Did it have anything to do with me. Knowing Rachel, it did.
"...she's off limits."
Rachel whispers. Who is she? Could the she be me? Of course, I am the only other girl here. I can't hear what he says next but one thing for sure is that Rachel and Devan are talking about me.
I immediately step away from eavesdropping when I hear their steps. Rachel says another farewell before she rushes outside the door.
"You be good to her." Rachel instructs. Devan stares at his sister from the kitchen door arms crossed. I don't miss the bulge of Devan's biceps but I look away quickly before I am caught.
"Call me in case of anything." Rachel mouths to me. When the door shuts behind her, I realise that my fate is sealed.