Page 97 of The Jerk in Apartment 1B

“I’ll let you two talk,” Scott says. “I need to go check on something.”

He leaves and Kurt moves in front of me. “So what are you doing now? I remember you were in fashion school when we met. Are you working for a designer?”

“I was, but they replaced me with an intern willing to work for free. I’m looking for something else, but I haven’t found anything yet.”

That’s because I haven’t applied for anything. I know I should, but I keep putting it off because I don’t know what kind of job I want.

“What’s Asher doing? Or did you guys not stay in touch?”

I almost tell him Asher and I were engaged just a few weeks ago, but then decide not to. I’d rather not get into the whole broken engagement story.

“He works for an investment firm.”

“I could see him doing that. He was always so serious.” Kurt takes a drink of his beer. “So you’re friends with Scott?”

I’m not sure how to answer that. After what happened last night, I don’t know how I’d describe my relationship with Scott.

“We’re just neighbors,” I say, deciding to go with that.

“Are you seeing anyone?” he asks.

“Not at the moment,” I say, looking around for Scott. Why didn’t he come back? Now I’m stuck here with this guy, who I think is about to ask me out.

“What do you think about having dinner with me sometime?” Kurt asks.

Just as he says that, I spot Scott across the room. With Bridget. She’s talking to him and smiling, her hand on his chest. Is that why he left? To go be with Bridget?

“Or we could go for coffee,” Kurt says, since I haven’t given him an answer. “No pressure. I’m open to suggestions.”

“Sure.” I look back at him. “Let’s have dinner.”

“Great! Let me get your number.” He takes out his phone and we exchange numbers.

I shouldn’t be agreeing to go out with him. I’m not ready to date, although I would be if Scott asked me out. But he won’t. He has no interest in me. Instead, he’s with Bridget. He said it was over with her, but it’s clearly not because she’s got her arms wrapped around his neck, looking like she’s about to kiss him.

“I need to go,” I say, my chest aching, my eyes tearing up.

“Yeah, okay,” Kurt says. “I’ll call you.”

The room is crowded and I have to push my way past people to get to the door. I’m taking deep breaths, telling myself to calm down. I shouldn’t be upset about seeing Scott with Bridget. I’m not dating him. He can be with her, or anyone else. Our date last night was fake. It didn’t mean anything.

I finally make it out of the apartment and into the hall. I’m unlocking my door when I hear Scott.

“Hey, where are you going?”

Ignoring him, I open the door and go inside.

“Trina, wait!” He catches the door before I’m able to close it. “Why’d you leave? Did something happen?”

“I’m tired. I’m going to sleep.” I try to close the door, but he holds it open.

“Was it Kurt? Did he say something to upset you?”

“No. He was nice.” I pause. “He asked me out.”

“Like on a date?”

“Yeah. Why do you sound so surprised?”

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