“Exactly. That’s the word you need to focus on—Jules. Your wife,” I say.
“Whatever. So, anyway, I gotta go. I’m supposed to be at my cousin’s place in an hour to check it out. I told her I’d look it over before she arrives,” Mason says, checking the time on his phone. He jumps up and grabs his stuff, jogging back to his truck.
“Well, Nora is cooking dinner. Her parents are coming over, so I’ve got to be home and make sure she doesn’t get in a fight with her mom. They’ve been at each other’s throats lately,” Craig mutters as he stands to stretch.
“Might not want to get in the middle of that,” I say, raising an eyebrow.
“Trust me, I don’t want to stay out of it either,” he says with a groan.
“It’s looking more and more like I should continue being single,” I say.
“There are ups and downs, but usually, the ups outweigh the downs.” Craig shrugs.
I nod because I don’t know what else to say. I’m not married, and so far, I’m okay with that even though each of my friends is slowly being picked off by the love bug.
I pull my water bottle from my bag and take a healthy drink before picking up my phone and seeing I have three new notifications. Two texts from my mom and one email. I absently swipe my phone open and quickly let my mom know I’ll be over for dinner sometime soon, and then I pull up the email, reading through and finding out I have an inquiry for the couch.
PepperStratten12: Hi! I’m Pepper. I saw your ad for a couch, and I’m interested. Do you mind if I stop by to check it out today? That is, if you’re going to be home. I don’t want to intrude. Just let me know. Okay, thanks!
Pepper. What an odd name. But I’m okay with it as long as she wants to take the couch off my hands. I’ll be glad to be rid of it. I only wish she could take the memories with it.
Me: How does 3:30 sound?
I throw my phone back on top of my bag, but it pings as soon as I do.
Damn, that was quick.
PepperStratten12: Sounds great! What’s your name?
Great. A chatty Cathy.
Me: Ben.
PepperStratten12: Okay, Ben, see you at 3:30. You aren’t a serial killer, are you?
Me: Uh … no. But I don’t think I’d tell you if I were.
I snicker a little at the thought. Another ding.
PepperStratten12: Good point. I’ve got mace, so don’t try anything weird.
Me: I won’t even look at you.
PepperStratten12: Great. See you.
I smile a little as I turn my screen off and place my phone back in my bag. A throat clears, and I glance up to see Craig and Ezra staring at me.
“What?” I ask with a scowl as I take another swig of water. “Why were you grinning at your phone?” Craig says, a smirk playing across his face.
“I wasn’t.” I let my frown deepen as I busy myself with packing stuff away.
“You got a girl we don’t know about?” Ezra asks with a chuckle.
“A pretty lil’ thing?” Craig says in a singsong voice before both of them crack up.
Man, they must not get out much these days if that’s what they find funny.
“Nope. Now, if you will excuse me, I have a couch to sell.”
“A couch?” Craig’s brow drops down as he looks at me in confusion.
“Damn. Is Mark still at your place?” Ezra asks, looking at me with a grimace.
“Nope,” I say with a shrug and sling my bag over my shoulder. “Gotta go. See y’all.”
The drive back to my apartment is quiet. I don’t even bother turning on music as my mind drifts to yesterday before I shut the upsetting thoughts off.
Once home, I hurriedly shower and then pick up a little before the strange Pepper arrives to check out the couch.
I’m sitting at the table, munching on a sandwich and doing the crossword in the paper, like I always did with my grandpa before he passed, when the knock comes. It’s loud and forceful, and I scowl at my phone as I check the time.
Three fifteen. Early.
I peer out the peephole before opening the door, and I only see the top of a head as she fishes for something in her purse. I reach down to unlock the dead bolt and turn the knob, swinging the door open. I stare out and then look down and down some more before I finally land on her face. She can’t be much over five feet tall. I practically feel like a giant, standing before her at six-two.
“Hi! Ben?” Her mouth curves open in a wide smile, and she bounces on her toes a little as she expectantly looks at me.
I notice she has her hand clutched around a pink bottle of mace, and her other hand is wrapped around the long straps of her purse. When I don’t immediately answer, her smile falters, and she glances around at the other apartment doors.
“Oh no. Do I have the wrong place?”
“No, I’m Ben,” I say, sticking my hand out, and instantly, her smile returns.
There’s something familiar about her, as if we’ve met, but I can’t put my finger on it.
“Great. Hi, I’m Pepper. But you probably know that. I’m here to see the couch.”
She waits for me to invite her in, and I move back, letting her peer through the door before she hesitantly steps through the doorway.
“Just you?” I ask, stuffing my hands in my pockets while I raise my eyebrows.
I take the time to look at her while her gaze is fastened on the couch.
“Yes. My cousin was going to come with me but got hung up,” she says absently as she waves her small hands around in the air, the mace still clutched in one.
She’s wearing a pair of denim shorts that show off her toned legs and a small tank top that doesn’t quite meet them. My eyes instantly go to the little peek of
