Page 13 of The Jerk in Apartment 1B

I always think it’s weird when people wink, but this guy almost made it look sexy. Or maybe I’m just getting that sexy vibe because he’s practically naked and has an insanely good body. Everywhere I look is muscle. The guy has like zero body fat. I’m trying to keep my eyes on his face, but they keep wandering down to his chest, then his abs. Does the guy work out for a living? I don’t know how else he’d get a body like that.

“This is Trina,” Jenna says, glancing at me. “Your new neighbor. I thought I should introduce you two before I go. Trina, this is Scott.”

Scott stares at me, tilting his head slightly as he rubs his scruffy jaw. “You look familiar. Have we met?”

“I don’t think so,” I say, wondering if that’s his idea of a pickup line.

“Maybe you remember her from last night,” Jenna says. “When she was here to see the apartment.”

“I was out last night,” he says. “I didn’t get home until late.”

“Then who was playing the music?” I ask.

He shrugs, which draws my attention to his muscular shoulders. “Cole was probably down here. Or Hudson. I’m not sure.”

“They live in the building,” Jenna says to me. “You’ll meet them, eventually.” She checks her phone. “I need to go. Leo’s got a car waiting outside.”

“When you two tie the knot,” Scott says to her. “I expect an invite.”

“We’re a long ways off from getting married.” She smiles at him. “But if it happens, you’ll definitely get an invite.”

“Let me know how everything goes.”

“I will! Bye!” She goes past me. “Bye, Trina!”

She races down the hall, leaving me alone with Towel Guy. He’s so hot, I forgot his name. Was it Sean? Steve? Sam? It was something with an S.

He should really put some clothes on. Then again, if I had a body like that, I might walk around in a towel too.

“So you’re my new neighbor,” he says, crossing his arms over his chest, making his biceps look bigger.

I force my gaze back to his face, which is just as distracting as his body. He’s got one of those faces that are perfectly symmetrical. And his eyes are really blue. I’m a sucker for blue eyes. Asher’s are dark brown, like mine.

“Trina,” he says. “That’s your name, right?”

“Yeah,” I blurt out. “I should go.” I point behind me. “The movers will be here any minute.”

“Let me know if you need anything.” He smiles and my heart does this little fluttery thing. That was weird.

“Yeah, okay.” I turn to leave, then turn back as he’s closing the door. “Wait!”

He opens the door, still smiling at me. “Yeah?”

“Could you get your stuff out of the hallway so the movers can get by?”

“Sure.”

“Great!” I say, pleased that he’s so agreeable. I thought he might tell me no or that he’d do it later. “Well, it was nice meeting you.”

“You too, Trina. I’ll see ya later.” He shuts the door.

I go back down the hall to my apartment. It’s noon, and the movers should be here between twelve-thirty and one. I hope that’s enough time for Towel Guy to get the hallway cleared. I wish I could remember his name. He does look kind of familiar. Maybe he’s right and we have met before, but where? I think I’d remember meeting a guy that hot.

I need to stop thinking he’s hot. I don’t care what he looks like. And I am not attracted to him. Okay, maybe I am a little, but I’m going to convince myself I’m not so there will be zero chance we’ll be anything more than neighbors. I’m done with men. All guys are jerks. That’s my new mantra. I just need to keep saying it until it sinks in.

As I’m waiting for the movers, I call Callie. I was going to call her last night, but I didn’t get home until late and was afraid I’d wake her up. Now that she’s a mom, she goes to sleep when the baby does, which is currently eight o’clock. I can’t imagine going to bed that early.

“I was just about to call you,” Callie says when she answers. “How are you feeling?”

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