Page 127 of The Jerk in Apartment 1B

“Hey, is Scott here?” I ask.

“No, he just left.”

“Do you know when he’ll be back?”

“I think he said Thursday?” She shrugs. “Or maybe it was Friday. I can’t remember.”

Friday?Today’s Monday.

“Did he go somewhere?”

“He’s flying to California. He didn’t tell you?” She gives me a smug grin, pleased that she knows this and I don’t. She was jealous when I was dating Scott. She was always giving me dirty looks.

“He didn’t mention it, but I haven’t really talked to him all week.”

“He’s going out there for business. It sounds like he’ll be moving there.”

Scott’s moving? Is that what he wanted to tell me? When is he moving? And when did he decide this?

My mind’s racing, trying to figure out what to do. Scott can’t move. I’d miss him too much. I miss him now, and he lives right next door!

I need to talk to him. I need to tell him I’m not engaged, and that it’s him I want, not Asher.

Maybe it wouldn’t make a difference. Maybe Scott would still move away, but he can’t leave without knowing how I feel.

“You said he’ll be back Thursday?” I ask.

“I think so. Ask Cole. He would know. He just left for the gym, but he’ll be back in a few hours.”

“When did Scott leave?”

“Like an hour ago? He’s probably at the airport by now. You could try calling him.”

“No.” I shake my head. “I need to talk to him in person.”

“Okay, well, I have to go so—”

“Why are you here? I mean, are you staying here while Scott’s gone?”

“No, I’m here to use the conference room.” She checks her phone. “I have a call starting in a few minutes.”

“Oh, sorry. I’ll let you go.”

She shuts the door. I return to my apartment and call Callie.

“Did you talk to him?” she says when she answers.

“No. He’s gone. He’s on his way to California. He’s moving there. That’s what he came here to tell me. That had to be it.” I sink to the floor. “Why does this hurt so much? It hurts more than when Asher broke up with me.”

“You could still talk to him. It’s not too late.”

“I can, but if he’s moving, it means he’s committed to being single. It won’t matter what I say. He doesn’t want to be with me, or anyone.”

My phone alarm goes off.

“Oh, I have to get to work. I didn’t realize it was this late.”

“I’ll let you go. Try to stay positive. Maybe this will all work out.”

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