Page 5 of Love in the Countdown

emily

It’s been two weeks of trying to find a suitable roommate. So far, I’ve called in all the help I can get between my friends, their friends, and my coworkers. I even tried to find people I went to high school with whom I heard were looking for a roommate, but the timing of when they needed to move didn’t line up with the urgency of mine.

While I had been searching online for apartments, mygraciousex-boyfriend was kind enough to ask around for any helpful leads for anyone subletting their homes. Luckily, one of his cop buddies knew of a vacancy in town with the earliest move-in date of February 1st. That meant I had about four more weeks to find a roommate, or I would have to move in alone for a while and eat ramen every day just to afford the rent.

The good news about the apartment was that it was in a nice, trendy town known for its social life. And while I have had zero luck finding a roommate, I’m excited to get out of my current situation and start the next chapter in my life.

Logan and I have been keeping things as amicable as possible. We barely see each other anymore, which helps relieve any awkwardness. When we run into each other, it’s strictlybusiness. I’ve since moved into the guest bedroom, and the cats have followed me there too, obviously.

I just got off the phone with my best friend from college, Sasha, who was my roommate before I moved in with Logan. It’s her birthday celebration tonight, and she wanted to make sure that I was still planning on going. I thought about bailing and spending the night in since I’m not in the mood to be social lately, but Sasha was hard to turn down.

Besides, seeing some friendly faces and letting loose a little would be nice. I’ve been feeling on edge with everything lately. It’s like I’m waiting for the next shoe to drop.

That’s it. I need to get out of this headspace and try to think positively.

I think a new outfit for tonight’s activities will help lift my spirits.

Ishow up to the bar for Sasha’s birthday celebration in my new outfit, which includes a cute top and tight-fitting jeans paired with black lace-up combat boots. I feel more like myself than I have been in a couple of weeks, and it feels so good.

I find my friends crowded around a table at the bar and saunter up to them. When they notice me, I cringe at the shrieks of excitement that I actually showed up. I guess I had everyone worried about being a no-show tonight with everything going on.

After a round of hugs, I’m offered a drink and sit at the table. As I’m chatting and catching up with my friends, I notice Amanda brought not only her husband, Jason, but I spot his bestfriend, Ben, at the bar with him. I’ve known Ben for as long as Amanda and Jason have been together, which has been about five years. They met in college and got married a couple of years ago. They’re married now and expecting their first baby soon.

Last I heard from Amanda, Ben had just broken off his engagement with his long-term girlfriend in October and was living with them for the time being. I feel a pang of sympathy for his predicament, which seems eerily similar to mine.

As I’m talking to Amanda, it strikes me that this could solve my current problem. I can’t help but ask Amanda if Ben has had any luck finding a place to live.

“No, he hasn’t really found a place yet. He’s still in our guest bedroom, but I’m not sure how long he plans to stay. The baby is due in the springtime, you know?” Amanda says, a little frown marring her perfect complexion.

I pause before I pose the next question as nonchalantly as I can muster.

“Do you think he would move in with me? I have an apartment, but I need a roommate in order to make it work.”

Amanda’s eyes widen with excitement.

“Oh my god, I bet he would! That would work out so perfectly! If he moves in with you, we can get the nursery set up for the baby faster! Let’s go ask him!”

“Wait!” I stop her from running off to talk to Ben. “Let me ask him when he comes over.”

And give me more time to work up the nerve to figure out what to say to him.

It isn’t until maybe twenty minutes later that Jason and Ben rejoin our group, at which point Ben and I exchange polite greetings.

Ben has always been nice to me, but we rarely see each other despite sharing mutual friends. The few times I had seen him, he was always with his now ex-fiancée, Melissa. I’ve tried to makeMelissa feel included anytime she was around, but I always got the sense that she was insecure and jealous of our group of girls.

The last time I saw Ben, I had just heard news of his engagement to Melissa. He seemed less than enthused about the prospect, but now it makes sense that the engagement didn’t last.

After several minutes of catching up with the group, I finally worked up the courage to turn to Ben, who perks up with interest at my renewed attention.

“So, I heard you’re staying with Amanda and Jason right now.” I idly pick at the label of the beer bottle, the cold glass cool against my palm. A restless energy vibrates beneath my skin.

“Yeah, I guess everyone knows at this point.” He chuckles as a hand reaches up to run through his dark hair.

“I’m sorry to hear about what happened with you and Melissa.”

Ben just shrugs and takes a sip out of his cold beer.

“How’s apartment hunting?” My palms are sweating as I prepare to present the proposal devised to solve our issues.

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