Page 32 of The Jerk in Apartment 1B

“Just organizing my stuff.”

Glancing behind her, I see her clothes arranged in neatly stacked piles. “It looks like you’re done.”

“I might rearrange some things.” She folds her arms over her chest. “So was that it? You just wanted to tell me about the storage room? I thought you said you had a question.”

“That’s right. I did.” I lean against the door frame and smile at her. “What do you think about going to get something to eat?”

“Didn’t you just have breakfast?”

“I did, but I could eat again. I had a hard workout this morning. I need to refuel.”

“Um, I think I’ll just eat here. I have to be at work later.”

“What time?”

“Two.”

“That’s hours from now. Come on. There’s a place I think you’ll like just a few blocks from here.”

“I can’t. I’m trying to save money.”

“Then you’re in luck because it’s my treat.”

“Why would you pay for me?” she says like she thinks there’s a motive behind my invite. “We just met.”

“We’re neighbors. I think it would be good for us to get to know each other.”

“Neighbors don’t usually talk to each other, especially in New York.”

“That may be true, but I grew up in Wisconsin, where people talk to their neighbors.”

“You’re from Wisconsin?” Her face lights up and she smiles. “What part?”

“Milwaukee. Why? You been there?”

“Yeah. I’m from Chicago.” She stares at me like she’s seeing me differently now that she knows we’re both from the Midwest. “That’s so weird. I never would’ve guessed you’re a Cheesehead.”

“Born and raised. Let’s go eat and I’ll tell you more.”

“I would, but I’m kind of a mess. I’d need time to get ready.”

“You look fine. This place fills up fast on Sundays. We should go now if we want to get a table.”

“Um, okay, give me five minutes and I’ll be over.” She shuts her door and I hear her quickly moving through her apartment.

Why am I doing this? I was supposed to ask her what’s wrong, not invite her to go out to eat with me. But I wasn’t sure she’d tell me anything if I just stood at her door and asked. Taking her out, I’ll have at least an hour to get her to talk and open up to me and tell me why she’s living in an empty apartment.

But why do I care? That’s the question Cole asked me… and I still don’t have an answer.

CHAPTER NINE

Trina

“This place is really nice,” I say, looking around the restaurant. “You made it sound like it was casual.”

“It is for New York,” Scott says, moving over in the booth so he’s directly across from me.

I glance down at my jeans and sweater. “I feel like I should’ve dressed better.”

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