The American Roommate Experiment

On the train back from Philadelphia, Rosie reflects on her visit. Olly did not accompany her, and their father’s worries about him prevented her from telling the truth about her new job. She is flustered at the idea of seeing Lucas (as he is currently staying at Lina’s apartment), as she feels vulnerable after admitting to her imposter syndrome.

Rosie arrives at the apartment to find Lucas made dinner. She reminds herself that she will leave soon and not see him again, but her stomach growls and Lucas insists she eat. Lucas admits he appreciates her company after months of traveling alone. Rosie is impressed with his cooking, which he explains is a longtime practice and source of joy. The two banter, with Lucas explaining that Lina frequently tells the family that Rosie saved her from a horse. Rosie explains that the horse in question was only a carriage horse loose in Central Park. She says she is not a heroine, just an “engineer turned romance writer” (52), and reflects on her identity given how new she is to writing for a living. She believes she has not earned her new life, but Lucas voices his admiration for her decision.

Rosie nearly chokes when Lucas says his other hobbies involve “far less clothing” than cooking, and she drinks a glass of wine to stop coughing (54). Lucas asks why she needs more wine, and she is reluctant to burden him—but he assures her that supporting attractive women is no hardship. Charmed, she admits to worrying about Olly. Lucas, seemingly speaking from experience, tells Rosie that all secrets come out eventually and that Olly will find his way. He then urges Rosie to watch Netflix with him. She falls asleep, and when she wakes, Lucas assures her that he poses no danger. She responds, “I know you noticed I was tipsy and that’s why you insisted I stayed” (60). Rosie is delighted to discover Lucas is watching her favorite vampire drama. She eventually reveals her writer’s block and looming deadline, but Lucas reiterates his faith in her. As Rosie drifts off, she wonders if she would have found the same rapport with Lucas if they had met at Lina’s wedding.

Lucas wakes from a nightmare of drowning. Unbeknownst to Rosie, a recent leg injury has impaired his balance and ended his surfing career. He takes inventory of his surroundings and is distracted by a sleeping Rosie, still captivated by her beauty. Lucas envies her focus on writing compared to his own aimlessness.

Lucas showers, recalling that Lina’s apartment has no doors except in the bathroom. In a towel, he realizes, “Rosie was just checking me out” (64). She pretends she was observing the wave tattoo on his ribcage. While drawn to Rosie, Lucas plans to suggest they share Lina’s apartment, which would make a sexual relationship unwise. He convinces Rosie to stay with him while her apartment is being repaired; he is willing to sleep on the couch and give her the bed.

Lucas’s sister, Charo, video calls from Spain, and he fears something is wrong with his beloved dog, Taco. He calms down when Taco joins the screen. He takes the phone to Rosie to introduce her to his family, and she reacts to his proximity. Lucas avoids telling Charo that he is no longer surfing. Charo, a notorious gossip, is surprised to see Rosie with Lucas early in the morning. She suggests Lina would be interested in them spending time together. To excuse herself, Rosie pretends to hear the smoke alarm. Lucas catches the scent of her shampoo and reminds himself that she is “off-limits. [He’s] in no place or shape for any of this” (74). He prepares breakfast.

Rosie reflects on her new living situation: She is still drawn to Lucas but alarmed at the idea of paying for temporary housing. She assures herself that their arrangement as roommates will be brief. Rosie is still struggling with writing. Her first book was born out of her own desire for love and affinity with her heroine, an unwitting time-traveler hoping to find happiness. The second book, a sequel, proves to be a struggle.

Rosie is distracted by a nearby noise. She finds an elderly neighbor in the apartment, Adele, attempting to move a loveseat. She offers to help but soon realizes she has no idea where the intended destination is. Adele is skeptical of Rosie’s strength but then seems to have a cognitive lapse, no longer recognizing her. Lucas arrives, offering his help. Lucas moves the furniture and remains unflappable when Adele addresses him as “Mateo.” Adele insists Rosie and Lucas join her and that her daughter will come as well.

Later, Rosie alludes to Adele’s likely dementia, reflecting on how painful her situation must be. She wonders if Lucas is in the US to escape a “broken heart” of his own, and he assures her, “[N]o one broke my heart, Rosie. I don’t think anyone ever got the chance to” (82). He was drawn to Adele because his own grandfather struggled with Alzheimer’s disease. Rosie and Lucas embrace, and Rosie feels further drawn to his sensitivity.

That night, Rosie fights her attraction as she and Lucas watch television together. After she agrees to take the apartment’s bed, Lucas chats with her as they drift off. He asks about the progress of her book. Rosie avoids a definite answer, simply saying it is unfinished; she also balks at explaining her existential crisis. Lucas wishes her good night in Spanish.

In the crowded streets of New York, Lucas reflects on his own existential crisis. He has lost his sense of purpose, his surfing career, and dreads returning to his family without a new plan for his life. He returns to the apartment only for Rosie to almost run into him. She is on her way to see the damage to her apartment. Lucas decides to ignore his leg pain and accompany her, as she is nervous about interacting with her unfriendly landlord.

Lucas takes in Rosie’s apartment, struck by her attention to comfort and detail. He finds himself resenting Rosie’s landlord and the young contractor’s interest in her. He is also angry when he realizes the entire ceiling is damaged, as Rosie previously described it as a crack. When Rosie tries to downplay the situation, her landlord scolds her for not taking his property seriously. When he threatens to evict her, Lucas intervenes, saying, “I suggest you stop talking altogether” (100). Rosie stops him before the men come to blows.

Rosie briefly entertains the idea of staying in her own apartment during the repairs, uncomfortable with Lucas’s concern and how much she is inconveniencing him. She gives up on the idea when the upstairs neighbor interrupts and is clearly not wearing underwear beneath his bathrobe. Lucas tells her to stay with him for the day, as she can get back to writing tomorrow. Rosie confesses that she has barely written and cries in frustration: “There might be more than a couple of things that are wrong. But I’m Rosie. I’m supposed to keep my shit together” (103). Lucas embraces her, assuring her that emotional release is necessary. He recalls his grandmother throwing a spoon at him for denying his feelings. Rosie wants to know what precipitated his emotional breakdown, but Lucas instead invites her back to the apartment.