Page 34 of The Jerk in Apartment 1B

“Just my clothes and a few personal items. Asher had everything packed when I got home on Friday.”

“I can’t believe he just kicked you out. Without any warning.”

“I know. I was surprised too, but that’s kind of Asher’s style. When he makes his mind up about something, he doesn’t want to wait. He just wants it to be done.”

“But you were with him for four years,” Scott says with a hint of anger. “How could he just decide it’s over without talking to you first? And then he just kicks you out on the street?”

“I’m guessing he decided to do this weeks ago and was waiting for the right time to tell me. But I honestly had no idea. Everything was fine, and then I got home Friday and he tells me it’s over.” I wrap my hands around my coffee mug and look down at it. “I feel like I missed the signs, but I keep going over it in my head and I can’t come up with anything. And then I wonder if maybe…”

“He was seeing someone else?”

“Yeah.” My gaze moves back to Scott. “Do you think that’s it? I mean, from a guy’s perspective, do you think he was cheating on me?”

“I can’t say since I don’t know him. I think it’s definitely possible, but it could just be he decided he doesn’t want to be married.”

“That’s basically what he told me. He said he wanted to put all his focus on his career.”

“What does he do?”

“Investments. He works on Wall Street.”

Scott huffs. “Well, that explains it. Those guys are all assholes.” He takes a drink of his smoothie. “Maybe you don’t want to hear this, but from what you’ve told me, it sounds like you’re better off without him.”

“I keep telling myself that, but it hasn’t sunk in yet. Four years is a long time. I’m not able to just let him go.”

Our food arrives and it looks amazing. I got an omelet with a side of toasted homemade bread and fruit.

“This is really good,” I say, taking a bite of the bread.

Scott isn’t eating. He’s holding his forkful of eggs, like he’s going to take a bite, but then doesn’t.

“How does he just leave you with nothing?” Scott asks. “The guy’s obviously got money, and he doesn’t even have the decency to get you set up with an apartment? And a bed to sleep on?”

My new neighbor seems really upset about this, which is nice, but surprises me. He doesn’t even know me. Why does he care?

“Well, he didn’t really leave me with nowhere to go. He called my friend Sara and made sure I could stay with her before he told me to leave.”

“And that makes it better? I’m sure he knew that wasn’t a permanent solution.”

“He did, but he knew I’d find a place. I’ve always been able to get by on my own. Like moving here. Nobody back home thought I’d make it in New York City. But years later, I’m still here, although I may not be able to stay if I can’t find a job.”

“Jenna said you did something with fashion?”

“I was an assistant for a designer. It was an entry-level job so I wasn’t able to do any actual design. It didn’t pay well, but those jobs usually don’t. There are so many people wanting to get in with a designer that they’re willing to work for next to nothing, or for free. That’s why I was fired. They hired an intern to replace me who’s willing to work for experience instead of pay.”

“I’m sure you’ll find something else.”

“Maybe, or maybe not. A lot of the jobs I qualify for are going to people who can work for free because they have wealthy parents who pay all their living expenses. I’m on my own. I mean, I could ask my parents for a loan, but I don’t want to do that.” I pick up my coffee and take a sip. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to tell you all my problems.”

“Hey, I asked.” He smiles, which I’m finding is my weakness. Every time he does it, it makes me more attracted to him. “Have you heard from your ex? Since this happened?”

“No, and I probably won’t. Like I said, when he makes a decision, it’s final. Well, except the decision to marry me.”

“That isn’t about you. It’s about him. It doesn’t sound like he’s ready for marriage. He shouldn’t have made you think he was.”

“He was trying to make me happy. I’m the one who wanted to get married. We’d dated for years and I was getting impatient. My friend Callie is already married with a baby and she’s known her husband for less time than I’ve been with Asher.” I set my fork down and look over at Scott. “It wasn’t supposed to turn out this way. I wanted to be married by now, or planning my wedding, and instead I have to start over.”

“Starting over isn’t always a bad thing. Maybe this had to happen in order for you to meet the person you were really meant to be with.”

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