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Tyler:I’m sorry I ruined game night and your blind date with Nigel by kissing you.

Tyler:Can we still be friends?

Meg:Are those last two ideas for signs or an actual apology?

Tyler:Both.

Meg:I’m sorry too. (Idea for a sign)

Meg:We can still be friends. (Another sign idea)

Tyler:I like those.

Meg:Me too.

I grin. We’re back in business.

* * *

MEG

I’ve taken all thenecessary precautions.

I’ve kept Tyler Dixon an arm’s length away.

I’ve told everyone, including myself, that Tyler and I are just friends. And then he goes and writes a cute apology text and makes me question whether or not I actually need my job.

I can live on my Etsy sales, right? Who needs a car, an apartment, or food?

Tyler:PS…go to your balcony for a surprise.

I glance at the sliding glass doors that lead to the small balcony of my second-story apartment. Is Tyler going to be out there holding a huge boombox over his head or something? For some reason, I wouldn’t put it past him.

I step outside and look over the rail. There’s no Tyler, but there is a string dangling from the railing to the bushes below. I pull it up, and a pink box emerges out of the bushes. There’s a note rolled up like a scroll tied between the string and the box, and I’m like a kid on Christmas morning. I can’t get it open fast enough.

Meg,

I’m sorry that I acted like ajackassa word you don’t say and kissed you. I wasn’t planning on it, it’s just something that happened. For the record, I enjoyed the kiss, just not the part where I compromised your job. Please accept my peace offering.

Your friend,

Tyler

I open the pink box. Inside is a chocolate chip cookie. Cookies—they’re pretty much the best way to my heart.

I run inside and grab my phone, sending off a text.

Meg:You’re forgiven for everything you’ve ever done in your life.

Tyler:I see you got the cookie.

Tyler:I’m surprised your neighbor didn’t confiscate it.

Meg:Why? What neighbor?

Tyler:Some guy out having a smoke break. When I set my ladder up under your balcony to tie the string to the railing, he thought I was trying to break into your apartment. He may have tackled me and elbowed me in the eye.

My building BFF tackled Tyler?