Chapter One
Loren
“PIVOT!”
Bridger’s voice bounces off the stairwell as we wrestle my mattress up to the third floor. He’s got the top end. I’m at the bottom. And believe me, he protested these positions.
A lot.
He claimed he should be the one shouldering the bulk of the mattress. But when I argued that I’m a strong, independent woman, and he needed to treat me like one, the poor guy finally relented.
Still, his current cheerfulness doesn’t match how badly I’m sweating.
Side note: I’m beginning to regret all my strength and independence.
“You are not Ross Geller,” I gasp as the mattress threatens to slide backward and murder me.
Also? I really need to pee.
“Who’s Ross Geller?” Bridger calls out. Still too cheerful.
“FromFriends,” I wheeze. “You know. The TV show?”
“Never heard of him.”
“Hold on.” I set down my end. My arms needed a break anyway. “You’ve never seenFriends?”
Bridger’s crooked smile appears around the mattress. His dark hair is wild and haphazard, collateral damage from helping me move. “Of course I’ve heard ofFriends, Lo. I’m a science teacher. Not a caveman.”
“Right. You’re joking,” I mutter. “How did I notimmediatelypick up on that?”
His gray eyes go into laser mode, no doubt studying me for signs of exhaustion. Studying me for various signs has been his specialty for the past eight months.
Basically, ever since my fiancé dumped me.
“Wanna trade sides now?” he offers.
“No!” I blurt. “I’m still strong!”
See also: still stubborn.
“All right. Just say the word when you’re ready to go again.” He pushes his hair out of his face. “I don’t want to rush you.”
“Nope. We can’t slow down. Sayla and Dex’s flight lands soon, and we still need to finish up here, then get back to the house to set up their welcome home surprise.”
Thehouse.
I can’t bring myself to saytheirhouse yet.
You see, my best-friend-slash-former-roommate and her brand-new husband are on their way back from a blissful honeymoon after the most beautiful wedding in history. That’s why I’m taking over Dex’s apartment, and he’s taking over as Sayla’s permanent roommate.
His plan to trade spaces seemed like a good idea at the time.
Now? Not so much.
But the rent at this place was already paid through thesummer. So depending on how things go with my dad, I can live here free through July. Emphasis on free. If my dad’s still okay to live on his own in August, Dex’s landlord agreed to let me rent this place on a month-to-month basis.
That’s my whole life in a nutshell these days.