Nervous, frustrated, Naya said, “Can someone please explain to me what’s going on?”
Jack took pity on her, stood, and pointed to a line on the first page. “It’s the deed to this apartment.”
What the…
Naya still didn’t get it, and Will had to explain to her, “Babe, he’s giving us the apartment.”
You could have heard a pin drop as Naya absorbed the news. Everyone was staring at her. I don’t think anyone could believe it. Jack laughed at me and winked.
At last, Naya asked, “Are you seriously giving us your home?” Her voice was an octave higher than usual.
“It’s your home now,” Jack said. “I hope you like it.”
Will handed the papers back to Jack. “We can’t accept it. It’s too much.”
“Will,” Jack said. “You can take it, and you should. It’s three bedrooms, the location is great, and it’s one fewer thing for you to worry about once the baby comes. I know you guys have been looking around and haven’t been crazy about anything you’ve found. Well, now you don’t have to worry about it. Enjoy.”
In the ensuing rounds of congratulations and hugs, Jack peered at me slyly. “I was curious to see what look you’d have on your face,” he said.
“Jack, seriously! You gave them your home! I can’t believe it. You better watch out, though. Naya hates anyone else taking the spotlight, and she could already be plotting her revenge. Do you think they’ll give Sue and Mike the boot?”
I saw the two of them hugging Naya and Will. I guess they’d need to ingratiate themselves to their new landlords.
“I think I can convince them not to,” Jack said. “We need to talk about you and me, though. We’re going to need to move out to make room for the baby.”
“Have you found another apartment?”
“I actually had something bigger in mind. I want to buy a house with a big yard. But that’s a choice for both of us, and what you think matters, too.”
Unbelievably, he was serious. I wanted to tell him he was moving too fast, that we should stop and think, but he vanished into the crowd. The party went on for another hour or two, and then, as the food and drinks were finished off, the apartment emptied out and we started cleaning up. I was exhausted by the time I finally lay down with Jack in the bedroom. I pulled the covers up to my nose and rested on my back, my headsinking into the pillow. Jack turned off the lights and asked me what I was thinking.
“I was wondering when your next trip was. I’ve gotten kind of used to having this big old bed all to myself.”
He grunted and reached over to pinch me, and I tried to shimmy away.
“Good, Michelle,” he responded. “I’ll keep that in mind the next time I get the call for an overseas meeting.”
“What are you going to do? Not come back?”
“It depends on how many sexy photos you send me.”
“I believe you mean tasteful adult photos,” I said.
“Call them what you want. If I don’t get an emergency supply to help me make it through the next dry spell, I might have to resort to drastic measures…”
Our door opened, and Mike stuck his head in. “Hey guys.”
“What do you want?” Jack asked.
“I was just saying hi.”
“Mike, it’s midnight. You weren’t just saying hi,” Jack said.
“Sure. Well, the thing is, Chrissy is snoring really loud, and I—”
“No,” Jack cut him off.
“You don’t even know what I was going to say!” Mike protested.
