Page 45 of More Than a Match

“And you’re ok with… with all of this?” He gestures weakly at the disaster before us.

“I mean, if I wasn’t, I wouldn’t live here, would I?” I laugh again. “A home should feel lived in, right? Comfortable.”

“This isn’t comfort, it’s squalor!” His eyes flash as he hisses the words, his voice taking on a razor-sharp edge.

Finally. He’s losing it. This is working!“Well that’s kind of rude.” I pretend to pout, crossing my arms in front of me. “It’s really not that bad. Come on in and see for yourself.”

I was hoping the mere sight of the apartment would be enough for him, but to my surprise, he walks inside.

Alright then. Time to up the ante. I skip over to the couch and dramatically shove a large pile of clothes across the cushions and toss a pizza box and some fast food wrappers on the floor. Jason looks on, horrified.

“Here ya go! You can wait here.”

“I think I’ll just stand, thanks.”

“Suit yourself! If you need to use the restroom while I change, it’s right here.” I saunter over to the half bath and fling the door open and have to stifle a cackle. Alex didn’t miss a detail. The small trash can next to the toilet is overflowing with what looks like used feminine hygiene items. Even from his vantage point near the couch, they were visible.

It takes every ounce of my willpower not to howl with laughter as I watch the color drain from his face. Instead, I furrow my brows and feign concern.

“Hey, are you ok? You don’t look so good.”

“I don’t feel so great. I’m sorry, I’m going to have to cancel and head home.” He turns and heads for the door like he’s got vipers nipping at his heels.

“Oh, ok I guess. Rain check?”

He turns to face me when he reaches the door and takes one last look around the apartment. “Um… no. Sorry. No.” He shudders and practically sprints through the doorway, slamming it behind him as he leaves.

I bite my lip and count to ten, doing my best to stifle the relieved laughter welling up inside of me. I can’t take the risk that he’s right outside the door, waiting to call my bluff. I hear a car peeling violently out of the parking lot, and I run to the window. It’s him, driving like the apartment is planning to chase him all the way home. My legs buckle, and I drop to my knees as the laughter comes pouring out, accompanied by tears. I didn’t realize just how anxious I had been the whole time until it was finally over. I feel like a weight has been lifted off my very soul.

I hear the patio door slide open, and I turn on my hands and knees to face Alex.

He’s laughing too, and I’m sure he heard the whole thing.

“So, baby, how’d it go?”

“Oh, you know, terrible,” I giggle. “I don’t think I earned a second date. Hell, we didn’t even make it to the first one!”

“Oh no, what a shame,” he chuckles as he sinks down next to me on the floor. “Whatever will you do? Become a spinster?”

“I suppose,” I sigh dramatically and scooch closer, sinking into his arms. “I guess I could adopt a colony of feral cats and keep them inside to reduce the risk of a rat infestation. At least they would love me. And when I die, filthy and alone, they can eat my body to save money on a funeral.”

“Hmmm, yes,” Alex nods solemnly before chuckling again and kissing the top of my head. “Alternatively, I could call my buddies who helped me set all this up, we get this place back to its tidy, former self, and then we relax for the night. Maybe even smooch a little. What do you think?”

I tilt my face toward him and smile. “Definitely better than being eaten by feral cats.”

“I think so, too. Give me a few minutes, I’ve got some calls to make.”

CHAPTER 32: ALEX

I roll over, scowling at my alarm clock as it chirps away on my bedside table. As my mind slowly emerges from dreams back into reality, I’m hit with a thunderbolt of realization.Today is Friday.Today’s the day Mina hopefully shakes Jason off her back forever.

I hop out of bed, newfound adrenaline coursing through me. Tonight has to be perfect. I’ve already made arrangements with my buddies at the trash company to help me out, and Mina has been smuggling her clothes over to my place throughout the week to add to the illusion I have to build.

I sigh deeply and look around my apartment. “I’m sorry, you’re so clean,” I groan, “but this is for the greater good. I promise as soon as this is over, I’ll tidy you right back up again.”

As expected, the empty apartment doesn’t answer back, but I do feel a little bit better about what I have to do.

I glance at my phone, secretly hoping for a message from Mina, but the lock screen stares back at me, devoid of notifications. She’ll reach out when she can, I remind myself. I move into the kitchen and quickly make some breakfast. As I finish eating, my phone chimes.

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