Letās Have Dinner || Stabby
Just over a year ago, Stephen Jones wouldnāt have predicted his life would change so dramatically. But it had.
Virginia Beach had already changed him. His life in New York had been dull by comparison. Which is odd to say but it made sense to him. In New York, everyone had always been moving but doing nothing. But in VA Beach, Stephen had a chance to slow down. And actually live his life.
Or he would. Eventually. He hoped.
Even though heād already begun to make friends, or at least connections, at work, he still hadnāt really made those deep connections yet. He knew he would, in time. But living alone in a new place where you know no one can be lonely.
And even though heād already met some of the other tenants in his building, he didnāt yet feel comfortable enough to see them socially. But, yet, he wanted to do something. He needed to do something. He needed to get out and stretch his legs and see his new world.
And thatās where his nutty new landlord came in. Stephen had moved here from New York. NEW YORK. Notoriously the craziest city in America. And living there, heād never met anyone like Gabby Grant.
Moving in, heād accidentally tripped her and sheād added $50 to his rent. And in the week heād lived in her building, she had somehow decided that he was the absolute scum of the earth. His rent had already gone $300 over the initial price. And counting, if he continued to meet her on the stairs.
Stephen had a nice job but even he couldnāt afford to pay over $1000 for his tiny apartment. Not in this neighborhood.
So he made a decision. And with a sigh he pulled himself off the couch and left his apartment. Checking the stairs before he descended them, he found the place deserted. But when he made it to the front office, he found Gabby sitting outside.
And before she could even open her mouth (and undoubtedly add to his rent yet again), he asked, āLook, Iām sorry I tripped your earlier. And knocked a potted plant off the railing. And put a hole in your door. Iām not usually this much of a mess. Maybe itās just the stress of moving.
āBut I would like a chance to lower my rent. So if I do something nice for you, will you shave a few dollars off? I really donāt want to have to move again. Especially after I just finished unpacking. And this place is a good deal. Or, you know, was.ā
He gave a little laugh, glancing down at his feet before finally meeting her gaze again. āSo. Will you have dinner with me? Consider it a nice thing to correct all my wrongs.ā
