Page 89 of The Jerk in Apartment 1B

“It’ll get better,” Scott says, chewing on a piece of bacon. “It just needs more time.”

“I don’t have time,” Cole says. “Soon I’ll be too old to play.” He gets off the stool and takes his plate to the sink. “I’ve got stuff to do. I’m going to head out.”

“What time are you getting here tonight?” Scott asks.

“I don’t know yet. I’ll text you later. Bye, Trina.”

“Bye!” I turn and watch as Cole leaves. When he’s gone, I look at Scott. “That was weird. He just got up and left.”

“He doesn’t like talking about his leg.”

“Oh. Sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”

“It’s fine. You didn’t know.”

When I’ve finished my breakfast, Scott points to my plate. “You want any more?”

“No, I’m full.”

He takes our plates and brings them to the sink.

“I can help clean up,” I say, going around the counter. I pick up the bowl that had the eggs. “What should I do with this?”

“I’ve got it,” he says, taking the bowl from me.

Our eyes meet and I feel the heat between us, rising quickly, like it can’t be contained. I want to kiss him so bad. I want him to grab me and haul me to his bed and rip off my clothes and—

“Trina, I got it,” he says. “You can let go.”

Looking down, I notice I’m gripping the bowl, not letting him have it. I release it and he sets it on the counter.

“You can get to work,” he says. “The key’s on the table by the door.”

“Okay. How do I inflate the chairs?”

“There’s an air pump in the storage room,” he says, his back to me as he rinses the bowl in the sink. “If you need help using it, just let me know.”

He no longer seems angry at me, but he’s not the guy I was with last night. Or even last week. He’s not flirting. He’s notmaking any sexual innuendos. There’s no ‘accidental’ touching of my hand or arm. Instead, he’s all business.

I leave his apartment and go down to the storage room. It’s a mess, like everything was just thrown in here after last week’s party. The boxes on the shelves look like they’re about to tip over and fall on the floor. Scott should hire me to organize this room when I’m done with the others.

Two hours later, I’ve got everything moved down to Scott’s apartment and all the party furniture inflated. I think I’m done, but I need to check with Scott and he’s on the phone. From what I’ve overheard so far, it sounds like a work call.

“No, we’re not agreeing to that,” he says to whoever he’s talking to. He’s sitting on the couch, leaning forward, looking very serious. “The limit is two million. If they want more, we’ll shut down the deal. No more negotiating.”

Hearing him talk business is getting me aroused. I can’t help it. I’m attracted to professional men. Guys in suits. That’s what attracted me to Asher. He was a finance major in college and worked as an intern on Wall Street.

I’d love to see Scott in a suit. I’m getting hot just imagining it.

“Let me handle it,” he says. “As your lawyer, I need to be involved at this point. We’re close to a deal, and if I show up at the meeting, I’m certain we can wrap this up at the price you want.” He listens and nods. “Yeah, let me check my schedule. I’ll make it work. Bye, Steve.” Scott gets up and notices me by the door. “Hey, I didn’t know you were there. Did you need something?”

“Yeah, I think I got everything set up, but I wanted to check with you before I locked up the storage room.”

He looks around the apartment. “I think we’re good. Thanks for helping out.”

“Sure.” I open the door. “So I guess I’ll see you Monday.”

“Yeah,” he says, looking at his phone, not even glancing up at me.

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