Page 61 of The Jerk in Apartment 1B

“I think if she met the right guy, that would change.”

“Maybe, but I don’t know who that guy would be.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Scott

“Going back to what happened earlier,” I say. “I don’t know what to do. I could apologize, but I’m not going to take back what I said.”

“You don’t need to. Just act normal. Go over there, install the shower head, and leave.”

“Just forget this morning ever happened? I feel like I need to do more than that.”

“Why? You said something that upset her, but you weren’t doing it to be mean. You did it because you didn’t want her getting back with her ex.” He pauses, smiling a little. “You’re really making a big deal out of this, which makes me wonder… do you like this girl?”

“Not the way you’re thinking.”

“I think itishow I’m thinking. That’s why you’re getting involved in this, and why you’re spending all this time trying to figure out what to say to her.”

I shake my head. “You’re wrong. I just felt bad when I upset her and thought I should apologize.”

“You felt bad because you like her.”

“I felt bad because I’m a nice guy.”

“You don’t feel bad when Bridget gets upset.”

“Bridget gets upset when I don’t do what she says. That’s different. I’m not even dating her and she thinks she can boss me around.”

“Are you two still hooking up?”

“No, I talked to her yesterday and told her we’re not doing that anymore.”

“Interesting timing. Trina moves in, and you tell Bridget it’s over?”

“It had nothing to do with Trina moving in. Would you stop making this into something it’s not? I like Trina, but not the way you’re thinking.”

“So you’re not attracted to her?”

“No.”

“Have you seen her?”

I smile. “Yeah, I get it. She’s hot. But I don’t think of her that way.”

“Yeah, right.” He rolls his eyes.

“Okay, yeah, maybe I think of her that way, but it’s not like anything would happen.”

“Why not?”

“Didn’t we just talk about this? She’s in love with her ex.”

“People can fall out of love. It happens all the time.”

“Yeah, well, I’m not the guy to make that happen. I don’t do relationships. And I am not getting in the middle of this mess she has going on with her ex.”

Cole shrugs. “Fine, but you know some other guy’s gonna ask her out. Maybe even someone in the building.”

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