Page 11 of Strings

“Bring it over here,” I say, motioning to him.

He pulls his wallet out of his back pocket and closes the trunk. “Here’s my license, too. Ready for the picture?”

I check out his paperwork. He’s a Sagittarius. That explains a lot. I lift my phone. “Smile, weirdo.”

He opens his arms wide with a toothy grin as I take a picture of him next to his license plate. I pretend to text it to people. He doesn’t need to know I have no one to tell. Then I hand his papers back to him.

“Are you satisfied I’m not a murderer now? How should I explain that to Bella? She’s still watching, you know.”

“Tell her I take pictures of you everywhere we go so I can remember special moments.”

“That’s not half bad.”

“I’m good under pressure.”

“I see that.”

I hop into his car. Leather seats, sun roof, top-of-the-line stereo. Yep—money money, money.

He places his hands on the steering wheel. “Where to, darling?”

Checking my phone, I read, “401 Feather Lane, Apartment 3C, Los Angeles. How fast does this thing go? I really don’t want her to know where I live.”

He smirks. “Put on your seatbelt. Round two of the Olympics is about to begin.”

Games are fun, but they don’t last forever. Someone has to lose.

Staring up at my new home, I feel a sense of relief. It’s way better than I ever imagined. I don’t know what I pictured, but it’s not even close to the hole in the wall I grew up in. Maybe I should wait until I get inside to pass judgement. There could be literal holes in the walls once I get in there.

“This is nice. Where did you say you were working again?” he asks as he takes my bags out of the trunk.

“I didn’t. There’s no reason to overshare. We are strangers, after all.”

“Are we? I kind of thought we were friends by now.”

I smile nervously as he starts to ascend the stairs with my bags. “Where are you going?”

“I thought I’d help you get inside. Do you not want me to?”

“It’s really nice of you. I appreciate the ride and you losing Bella on the way here, but I want to do this on my own. I want the first memory I have of my new home to be mine alone. I hope you understand.”

“Of course. And for the record, you’ve been extremely generous and kind to me. I feel like I owe you something more than this. Can I take you to dinner sometime? Maybe show you around the city?”

“Now, Bash. We’re breaking up, remember? While I enjoyed all our special moments, I can’t keep seeing you. You’re too put together for me. I prefer unorganized chaos.”

He nods with a grin. “You sure you’ll be alright getting inside?”

“I’ll be fine. It was nice meeting you.” I hold out my hand and he shakes it.

“You as well. Goodbye, girlfriend.”

“Goodbye, boyfriend.”

I watch him get into his car and drive down the road. My shoulders relax when he’s out of sight. I’m glad to be on my own again. It’s how I like it.

I try the door and it’s locked. Crap. I ring 3B as instructed in my email. No one answers, so I push every button until the door buzzes. I hightail it to the elevator, taking it to the third floor.

I’m supposed to see someone in 3B to get my keys, but they didn’t answer when I rang the bell outside. Maybe they were in the bathroom. Dropping my bags in front of my apartment, I wander next door and rap my knuckles on the door.