The ad was clear, a young female 20 something professional seeks roommate to share a two bedroom two bathroom on the Upper West Side. After an afternoon of women I wouldn't want to share a taxi with, Alex walked in. I was surprised to say the least. Alex was young, professional, looked pretty put together, but Alex was definitely not a woman. He was fit, tall, around 6'4", stunning blue eyes and he had a head of messy thick black hair. He painfully stylish without trying. The kind of guy who was kryptonite to the average NYC girl.
"Erica?" He asked.
"Yes." I responded.
"Alex." We shook hands, he sat down.
"I'm sorry. I thought Alex was short for Alexandra." I said.
"Nope, Alexander. How are you?"
"Good. Good. But, I was looking for a female roommate."
"Oh, I see...Its just..nope never mind...Well...your ad just seemed too good to be true.
"What do you mean?" I asked intrigued.
"Well, its in my ideal neighborhood, my price range, I'd have my own bedroom and bathroom. I'd live with someone who works for a major graphic novel publishing company, which may or may not include reading the latest comics before they are out, your friends occasionally come over and play tester Xbox games for "work" and your building is 420 and pet friendly...Seriously? What's the catch? Do you have mice? Roaches? Are you crazy? Gonna skin me alive in my sleep?" I couldn't help but laugh. After 3 hours of excellent conversation, I was convinced the Alex was my brother from another mother.
* * *
"Erica, he is too hot from his own good." My friend Patricia whispered as Alex walked, shirtless, back to his room. He was in a pair of low slung gym shorts, showing off his sculpted abs and strong back. The usual. That was the typical effect Alex had on women. He was like catnip for pussy. Was I immune? After living with him for 6 months I had seen him shift faced, so high he thought the walls were velvet and we had definitely farted in-front of each other. So yeah. He was just Alex to me. Of course he was a handsome guy, but, he slept around like one.
"So...have you guys...?" Patricia asked. After he retreated back to his room.
"No! No. Of course not." I responded.
"Why not! He is like right across the hall!"
"He has probably the best roommate I have ever had and I'm not about to complicate that."