Worth the Fall Read Online Free

end of the world.”
    “So true. It’s the no-job-lease-ending-getting-dumped combo that really does a girl in.”
    “Oh. Again with the ouch.”
    “I don’t suppose you know a great, cheap place that won’t need me to have, you know, a job or belongings or a plan?”
    John leaned back, glancing around as he thought.
    “Maybe.” He pulled out his phone and texted someone. “Can you stop by tomorrow? I might have something for you.”
    I must have looked as shocked as I felt, because John stood and gave me what could only be called a reassuring smile.  
    “Enjoy your mocha. Chill out. Sarah will be here later and we’ll deal with everything tomorrow.”
    Later, when I looked up from one of the used self-help books I’d snagged, a small, curvy blond had her arm wrapped around John’s waist. I half expected her to glare at me when he steered them my way, but instead, her smile widened.
    “I hear you’re having a crappy night.”
    I laughed. How could I not? She was just as likeable as he was. They were, apparently, Adorable Couple.  
    “Yup. Pretty much.” I pulled my coat on and reached for my tiny purse. “Thanks for the ride.”
    “No problem. Figured I’ll take you home while he closes up.” She grabbed her own bag and led the way to the front door. “I hope you like help. John is Mr. Fix It and now that he knows you’re looking for a place, he’s put on his Wanna-Be Realtor hat.”
    “I’m not going to argue with anyone’s wanna-be anything right now.”
    “Great. Just don’t let him hang anything in your new place.” She seemed amazingly adamant about that. I kind of wondered what type of art John had been running around town hanging.
    So, I just smiled at that, because who was I to judge anyway?
    Maybe things were looking up.

FOUR

    Things were definitely not looking up.  
    The next morning, not only was my apartment freezing, but I didn’t have hot water. A few weeks ago it would have been just chilly. But, with summer turning into fall, night was still dead cold.
    It figures with only one day to go on my lease the building would have a major fail. I called the building manager and wasn’t surprised when I got his voicemail.  
    “Micah? It’s Kasey Lane in 304. I’m in my apartment and I have no heat or hot water…Wait.” I glanced at my alarm clock. The small battery icon was on. “I also don’t have electricity. What exactly is going on? Please call me back.”
    I wrapped my moss green comforter around me—glad I hadn’t donated it or my bed yet even though it didn’t play matchy-matchy in Jason’s apartment—and headed toward my front door.
    The building hallway was nice and toasty…and lit. This was not a good sign.
    Beth, the girl across the way, opened her door and caught me standing in the middle of the hall, comforter pulled up around my nose as I tried to get warm.
    “No heat or hot water.” Check me out. Stater of Things Obvious.
    She leaned around me to look into my apartment as if cold air might look different. “Really? Everything’s fine in here.”
    Figures.
    Beth gave me a whattayougonnadoaboutit smile and headed out the front door. Also not a surprise. She was the kind of neighbor who stopped by to let you know she was having a big party—but not invite you. Just tell you so you’d know what the noise was.
    I hit redial and waited for Micah’s voicemail.
    “Seriously, Micah. Why is my apartment the only one that’s arctic? Call me back. I’m just, you know, hanging out in the hallway in my pajamas.”
    A door upstairs opened and a heavy footfall crossed over my head toward the stairs. The guy Beth kept calling the cops on for doing P90X after seven on a Saturday turned the corner and stopped on the landing.
    “Locked out?” It dawned on me how bad I must look pre-shower, pre-caffeine.  
    “Nope.”
    “Just hanging out?” He grinned.  
    And why shouldn’t he. I must look ridiculous. “No heat, hot water, or electricity.”
    “For