“Pleasure to meet you, Autumn. I’m Chelsea Hammond. I know this place doesn’t look like much, but I’m working on it,” she says, smiling. “There’s only so much I can do at a time, though.”
“It’s actually quite nice,” I say, clasping my hands behind my back and surveying the open floor-plan.
“Thank you. I bought the building last year and I’ve been working on it room by room. I know it looks like a dump outside, but I figure people aren’t living outside, so it can wait. Besides, it keeps the riffraff away, if you know what I mean,” she says, smirking.
“Valid point.” I laugh.
Despite the somewhat small interior of the one large room and a bathroom, the apartment isn’t terrible. New carpet, fresh paint, and an updated compact kitchen are also a plus. As much as I loathe to admit it, there’s not much I can hate on here.
“So, will it be the two of you…?” Chelsea begins.
Wade shakes his head. “No, just me. But hopefully Autumn will visit often.” He turns to me, narrowing his gaze and scrunching the side of his face.
I sigh, dropping my shoulders in defeat. “Of course.”
“Did you want to take a look around? At least check out that bathroom I painstakingly scrubbed, would you?” Chelsea laughs. “It will make me feel better.”
Wade nods enthusiastically. “Oh, most certainly.” He glances in my direction, nodding toward the door.
“Oh, go on then. I have to see this bathroom,” I laugh, shooing him with my hands.
Wade walks inside the tiny space, twirling around with his arms splayed out wide. “Look, Autumn. Not a single cockroach to be found.”
I snicker. He’s right. The bathroom is actually cleaner than the one I have back home, albeit much smaller.
“Yeah, yeah. I admit it, the place is better than anticipated.”
Wade beams, stepping behind me and wrapping his arms around me. “So, does it mean you’ll visit me here?”
“I already said I would,” I say, shaking my head.
“Yeah, but that was when the landlady was staring you down,” he says, placing his chin on my shoulder.
“I can still hear you,” Chelsea mutters from the other room.
I burst out laughing and have to cover my mouth with my hand.
“I like her, too.” I jab my thumb toward the doorway.
“And for $350 a month, you can’t beat it. Not in this town,” Wade says, straightening his stance like he just said he was just nominated employee of the month.
My mouth pops open and I nod. “Wow, that’s actually an awesome deal. How did you manage that?”
Wade shakes his head. “Beginner’s luck?”
“Okay, guys…you’re making me feel like I should rethink my pricing strategy here,” Chelsea says, walking up to the doorway.
“Too late now. I’ll take it,” Wade says, holding out a hand. “Where do I sign?”
Chelsea tips her head to the kitchen counter behind her. “Lease is on the bar.” She steps out of the way, allowing space for Wade and me to leave the bathroom.
Wade picks the piece of paper up by pinching both sides and holding it out in front of him like he’s about to recite the Gettysburg Address.
“You can’t just read it like a normal person, can you?” I say, grabbing it and putting it back on the bar so we can both look it over.
“Where’s the fun in that?” he says, leaning forward and placing his elbows on the breakfast bar.
I shake my head, grinning to myself. Together, we read the document, making sure it’s legit.
“Looks good to me,” he shrugs.
“Same.” I nod.
Without another word, he picks up the pen from the counter and signs his name. When he’s done, he hands the lease to Chelsea.
“Thank you, sir. Now, all we need to take care of is the deposit and 1st month’s rent. Then, all of this glory is waiting to be yours,” she says, widening her arms.
Wade grins, turning to me.
“Welcome home, lord of the manor,” I say, shaking my head.
He chuckles, pulling out his wallet and opening it. “Here’s the check. It should cover everything.”
“Excellent,” Chelsea says, setting the lease and check on the breakfast bar. She digs into her front pocket and brandishes a key. “This is officially yours. I know the first isn’t for a few more days, but the space is open. May as well move in whenever you’re ready. You said the house you’re in is closing, right?”
Wade nods. “Yeah, later this week.”
“Well, I hope it all goes well,” she says, pressing her lips tight. “I’m sure it’s a little bittersweet.”
“Definitely,” he says, taking a deep breath.
Surprised, I take a step back, watching their exchange. It’s obvious he’s talked to her beyond just knowing where and when to meet.
A twinge of jealousy snakes through my insides.
Should I be concerned?
“On the upside, this will make the transition much easier,” Wade continues, glancing around. “At least now I have someplace to move my stuff.”
“Indeed, you do. Well, if there’s nothing else, I’m going to go down to apartment twenty-two. The handyman is installing a new dishwasher and I need to breathe over his shoulder and make him nervous,” Chelsea says, grinning widely and making for the door. “God, I love my job.”
Wade snickers, then looks at me from the corner of his eye.
With a final glance into the apartment, Chelsea raises her hand and waves. “Have a nice rest of the day, guys. It was lovely to meet you both.” Then she trots off down the hallway.
“Yup, I like her, too,” Wade announces.
Despite my proclamation of liking her earlier, again, my gut clenches. I smile softly, hoping it masks the strange layer of possessiveness rearing its ugly head.
Wade walks over to the large picture window on the opposite end of the room. “Well, here it is. My first official apartment rented in my own name.”
“Have you never had your own before?” I ask, surprised. “I thought before your grandpa got sick, you were out on your own.”
He nods. “I was, but for the most part, I was too young to have my own lease. So I, uh, just stayed with different people.” He runs his hand along the backside of his neck.
I get the distinct impression he’s not overly excited about the way his earlier years were spent, so instead of pushing it, I nod.
“Feels good…but weird. You know? God, I hope I can find a job in town. My savings won’t last super long. Especially considering tuition. Any ideas on where I could apply?” he asks, turning back to me.
My eyebrows rise and I step into the middle of the room. “Well, there’s the library…or the Bourbon Room. Pick your poison. Food or books.”
He laughs, shaking his head. “Difficult choice.”
I nod. “Right? I guess there’s always the hospital or nursing home, too. You know, if you want to continue your personal care assistant type work.”
Wade’s brows tug in. “Hmmm… Maybe? I am already certified, so there’s that. I’ll have to give it some thought.”
“Sure.”