Page 12 of The Jerk in Apartment 1B

CHAPTER FOUR

Trina

“What is all this?” I mutter as I maneuver past a stack of coolers, a folding table, and three large inflatable chairs.

It’s Saturday, move-in day, and I’m trying to get to my new apartment, but the hallway has so much stuff in it, I can barely get by.

“Trina!” I hear Jenna yell. I look up and see her waving at me from her door. I can only see her head because of all the junk in the hall. “You need some help?”

“No, I just have my bag.” I squeeze past the inflatable chairs and make it down to Jenna. “Why is all this stuff in the hall?”

“It’s Saturday.” She glances next door. “He always has a party on Saturday. It looks like this will be a big one. He usually doesn’t need that many coolers.”

“That stuff is for a party?” I ask, eyeing the inflatable chairs.

“Yeah. Let’s go over there and I’ll introduce you. I’m sure he’ll invite you.”

“I’m not interested in a party. And I’m working tonight.”

“You got a job?” She moves aside and I go into the apartment. With Jenna’s stuff gone, the place looks a little bigger. Maybethis won’t be so bad. It still feels like a closet, but I’m sure I’ll get used to it.

“I’m working at the grocery store down the street. It’s just temporary. Until I find something else.”

“So you must’ve met Frank.” She laughs. “Did he try to set you up?”

“Set me up? Like on a date?”

“Yeah. He likes to play matchmaker. He tried to set me up with his grandson, but I told him I already have a boyfriend.”

“He didn’t try to set me up. And if he does, I’ll make it clear I’m not interested. I’ve decided all guys are jerks. Even if they seem nice, it’s all an act. I’ll never again believe anything men say. They’re all liars who can’t be trusted.”

“Um, okay,” Jenna says, giving me a strange look.

I might’ve said all that a little too loudly and forcefully, but it’s only because I’m still so angry at Asher for what he did. I was up all night thinking about it. I slept for maybe an hour, and in that hour, I had a dream where I married Asher and then found out he was already married to someone else. I guess that makes it more of a nightmare than a dream.

“Here’s your keys,” Jenna says, handing them to me. “One’s for the apartment and the other one will get you into the building.” She points to my duffle bag. “Is that all you have?”

“No, the movers will be here in a few minutes.” I go to the door and peek out to the hall. “There’s no way they’ll get my boxes through with all that stuff in the way.”

“Let’s go talk to Scott. He’ll move it if we ask.”

I follow her out to the hall to the apartment next door.

She knocks twice on the door. “Scott? It’s Jenna.”

“Be there in a minute!” a guy yells.

Jenna glances at me. “He probably just got back from the gym. He usually goes there in the morning.”

The door swings open and I see a guy wearing nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist.

“Hey.” He smiles at Jenna as he leans against the door frame. “You heading out?”

“Yeah, in a minute. All my stuff is gone. You can go check the place over if you want.”

Check the place over?Why would this guy go look at her apartment?

“I’m sure it’s good,” he says with a wink.

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