Page 7 of Last Love

The nagging reality that I have managed to overlook her email further churns my stomach.

Okay, I admit that staying with Xander wasn’t ideal; however, I never did shit like this when we were together. I was constantly engulfed in work. Ahead of every curve and every event for miles. All non-prescheduled time either went to Katherine or this school.

Now?

I can’t always remember where the fuck I left my favorite pen.

I know my life will get easier and regain its stability soon.

I’m hoping that happens just as soon as I move into my own space.

I mean I’ve already stopped obsessing over the handwritten letter that evidently came from the great magical ghost of boyfriend’s past.

“I’m so sorry, Jaye,” I apologize sincerely. “I haven’t had time just yet. There have been some scheduling changes and employee evaluations and spring student conference issues that-” Rather than unload on her what life is already dumping on me, I simply shift on another professional grin. “I will make time to review your proposal by the end of the week. Does that work for you?”

Her face brightens back up, and the nervous movements cease. “That would be perfect, Miss Morrison!”

Thank fuck I can still get something right.

Jaye opens her mouth to say something else when my cellphone vibrates across the desk reminding me that it’s time to leave for my yearly physical appointment.

Ugh.

Just one more item on the long list of shit that I really don’t have time for.

“I’ll go and let you get that in private.”

I opt out of correcting her and allow my employee to take the easy exit out. “Thank you, Miss Jenkins.”

Jaye dismisses herself on a curt nod, and once the door shuts, I swipe away the alarm reminder.

It’s a simple check up to make sure I’m disease free and that everything is working as it should. I gotta go or she won’t refill my birth control prescription, which seems irrelevant at the moment. Sex – actual sex not just an orgasm to take the stress away – is as far from my brain as marriage is.

That fact hurts.

That fact is just another slap in the face reminder of the pathetic excuse for existing I let myself linger in for far too long.

Do I want marriage?

Well, I cry every time I watch Runaway Bride, so I’m gonna go with yes.

Do I want it soon?

Considering that the cute guy working the bakery counter at the shop next door to the dry cleaners asked me out and my reaction was to pretend I was getting a phone call, I’m gonna have to go with no.

Perhaps dating and everything in that department might feel like more an actual possibility once I’m in my own damn place.

I snatch up my leather work bag, lock up my office door, and head the direction of the employee only area to access the parking lot when Merrick rushes across my path.

For some inexplicable reason, the sight of him instantly sparks an idea. “Hey Merrick, got a minute?”

He stops, spins around, and scrunches his sculpted face. “Like a literal minute, boss lady.” He adjusts the textbook in his hand that he must’ve left here at some point. “Just came by to grab this while I was in the neighborhood. I’ve gotta give the future Mrs. McCoy’s car an oil change-”

“Wait! You’re engaged?!”

“More or less,” the tattooed art student cockily states in a brush off fashion. “Anyway, I gotta do that, go through another BS roommate interview, submit a design to Katherine’s agent who ordered a custom mural for her kitchen – thanks again for putting me in contact with Katherine because my side hustle is now booming –, hopefully pass this essay exam in my afternoon class, and then eventually be back here on time for my shift.”

“Um…,” shocked over his busy life leaves me momentarily speechless, “that’s um…quite a schedule.”

“Wouldn’t have it any other way.” His smile grows much wider. “What’d you need, boss?”

“Let’s walk and talk.” My chin kicks the direction we both already going. Once he’s closer in proximity, I cautiously begin, “So…what I need help with is not exactly work-related.”

“Is it legal?”

Bafflement can’t be blocked from my expression. “Yes.”

He offers a hand of surrender at the same time he claims, “Just had to ask. Not tryin’ to get mixed up in any ‘ish on the wrong side of the law.”

Curiosity has me quirking an eyebrow.

“Jo’s dad basically runs the red and blue.” His free fingers type in the code to grant us access to the staff room. “Not trying to get back on his bad side.”

“Back on?”

“Not important,” he mumbles while holding the door open for me. “What’s the non-work-related favor?”

“Do you or anyone you know on campus that you trust – keyword here is trust – wanna make a few hundred bucks moving some boxes for me?”

A smile that’s almost impossible to resist quickly arrives on his face.

Why do I get the feeling that his girlfriend is constantly putty in his hands?

Then again…I’ve seen them together once or twice and typically, it’s actually him who is tripping all over himself for her.

It’s some of the sweetest most infuriating shit I’ve ever seen.

Like why can’t more people have that?

Fuck, why can’t I?

His investigation continues alongside our exit out of the employee door for the parking lot. “Where are these boxes going and how are we moving them?”

“From the moving truck into my new townhome.”

“When?

“Next weekend?”

“Didn’t wanna hire big time movers? Too expensive?”

“No. I actually have to cancel the movers that I already have scheduled for this week – again – due to another move-in issue. I then have to pay another cancellation fee for the change.” A heavy, exasperated sigh makes an unwanted escape. “It’s a huge effing mess, that no matter what I say they won’t make an exception for, plus, I’m tired of dealing with them and listening to them blame me – like every other company I’ve been dealing with lately – for the inconvenience rescheduling is causing.  I would much rather pay the money to someone who is a bit more flexible – in case of another random mishap – and a lot less likely to break my shit for me being an overcomplicated customer through no fault of my own – I just wanna add.”

“Boss lady, you seem anything but complicated to me.”

And his adorable naive charm continues.

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