Page 41 of One Bad Idea

That was no kind of answer, but I didn't complain. Already, I'd been seriously pushing my luck, and I knew the end of the road when I saw it.

So, I did the only smart thing Icoulddo. I told him to expect me on Monday, just like we'd originally planned.

And then, I returned back to the apartment, where I found adifferentjackass waiting out front.

Chapter 16

As I pulled up to the apartment, I felt myself frown. Parked on the street out front was a vintage Chevy pickup with Tennessee license plates.

My stomach clenched.No. It couldn’t be. Could it?

Florida was a long way from Tennessee, and I knew of only one person who'd be driving such a vehicle.

Praying I was wrong, I parked a couple of car lengths behind it and cut the engine. Through the front windshield, I gave the unfamiliar truck a good, long look. It was fire-engine red with classic lines and ultra-wide tires.

Based on its style, the truck was at least three times my age. And yet, it looked nearly brand new. No doubt, it was worth a small fortune.

I saw no driver – or passenger, for that matter.

Wondering where they were, I looked toward the place that I now called home.

Our new apartment was located on the second floor of a stately old Victorian house that had been converted into two separate units.

Cassidy and I had been living in the upper unit for only a day, and already, we loved the place. It was nice and roomy, with oversized bedrooms, tons of character, and our own private balcony.

The apartment had even come furnished.

Best of all, it was located on a quiet side street only a block from the beach.

Even now, I could hardly believe that such an amazing place had been within my budget, evenwithmy newly inflated salary.

Reluctantly, I looked away from the house and scanned the quiet city street.Where was the driver of that truck?

A moment later, I had my answer when a blond head popped up in the truck's driver's seat.

I stifled a groan.Yup, it was him, alright.I couldn’t see his face, but I was nearly certain.

My suspicions were confirmed within two seconds when the driver's side door swung open, and Stuart got out, looking slightly rumpled. He was tall and lanky with longish blond hair and light blue eyes. There was a time I'd loved looking into those eyes, but those days were gone.

As far as boyfriends went, he wasn't the worst I'd ever had, but he was far from the best. We'd been together for nearly six months until our bad breakup just a few weeks ago.

Since then, we'd barely spoken at all – unless I counted all of those tense exchanges regarding his beloved truck, the one I was currently driving.

Now, he was heading in my direction.

Still, I made no move to get out.What on Earth was he doing here? Had he come for his truck?

It seemed unlikely, given the fact that he didn't own it anymore, unless –oh, crap– what if Jaden had pulled a fast one?

I could almost see it, him telling everyone that he'd purchased the truck, only to laugh his ass off as I was hauled off to jail.

But surely even Jaden wouldn't be that awful, would he?

I needed time to think, but already, Stuart was rapping on the driver's side window. Reluctantly, I rolled down the glass and gave him a perplexed look. "Stuart?" In confusion, I cocked my head to the side. "What are you doing here?"

He smiled. "I came to get my stuff."

The smile caught me off-guard. "What stuff? Your gym clothes?"