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So I figured I would try to rent it
out.”
    She studied my features as if looking for
acceptance. I tried to turn my lips upwards into a reassuring
smile. It was better than my current apartment. The monthly rent
was a steal. I needed something furnished; I didn’t want to buy
furniture and then have to worry about moving it out when my lease
was up. It fit my needs, however bland and boring it was.
    “I like it,” I said, practically choking on
my words.
    She snorted. “No you don’t. But that’s okay.
Because now that you’re here, I know what I’m going to do. I’m
going to decorate it for you.”
    “Really?”
    “Why not? Consider it a house warming gift.
It won’t take me long, and I promise that the result will be far
more impressive than its current state.”
    “I couldn’t ask you to do that for me.”
    “I’m offering.”
    “Okay, then. I guess that means I can move
in?”
     
     
     

Chapter Four
     
    The next few days passed in a blur. I was
overwhelmed with last minute arrangements in regards to the move.
Address changes, calling the utility companies, packing away more
odds and ends until nothing remained but the clothes I needed and
my toiletries. I had conceded defeat and boxed up the remaining
kitchen supplies, opting for carry out once the fridge had been
emptied of its contents.
    Blake had been in contact with me several
times. The first couple times had been strictly business. Her
lawyer had drawn up the lease. She emailed it over to me and I
signed and returned it. Once formalities were out of the way, we
chatted more like I imagined future college roommates would have. I
listed my inventory of household items; she checked off what she
already had and what we could use. From her responses I guessed
that she wasn’t much of a chef.
    I didn’t want to rent a storage unit, so
anything that I wasn’t taking with me I needed to get rid of.
Gracie had first dibs. After she had rifled through my unwanted
stuff, I donated the rest. My tiny apartment had never seemed so
spacious.
    Now that it was moving day, my excitement had
grown to fever pitch. Gracie and my father had insisted on coming
over to help me load the Honda. I suspected they wanted to see me
off more than anything else. I could cram the few boxes and bags I
was keeping with me into my car with little effort, but the free
labor was always appreciated.
    When the doorbell buzzed, I pressed the
intercom button and announced that whoever was there should come on
up. My visitor did not respond, but I heard footsteps in the
hallway a short time after. I truly expected it to be my dad since
Gracie was rarely the first person to show up anywhere.
    Instead, Eric stood before me. We hadn’t
really spoken since the argument. He had caved and sent me a few
brief texts, excusing his distance by explaining that he was
swamped at work and when he got home he was exhausted. Even though
I sympathized with his plight, I felt slighted by his lack of
consideration. He could deny that the move was happening all he
wanted to, but it still didn’t change the fact that our time in the
same city was coming to a close.
    “Hi,” he said simply, bringing out two
steaming cups of coffee from behind his back, “I would have brought
flowers, but they don’t travel well.”
    I accepted his peace offering eagerly. Taking
a sip of the drink, I appraised him from head to toe. Instead of
his usual suit and tie he was dressed in khakis and a polo shirt.
For him, that was slumming. Just once I wished he’d loosen up a
bit. His brown hair was cut very short; perfect for traveling and
being nondescript. His green eyes looked dull and tired.
    Maybe he had been really busy. I prayed that
he was telling the truth. It wouldn’t make sense for him to
purposefully ignore me all week just to show up at my door to send
me off. Not when I hadn’t expected him to even make an appearance.
No, this was an apology in disguise. He was truly sorry.
    “I’m glad you