Vegas Baby

Well, it wasn’t a yes, but it certainly wasn’t a no either. I guessed that was the best I could expect considering the situation.

“Alright. Logical, I approve.”

“You would, wouldn’t you,” she said with a slight laugh before heading back into the bedroom. Once I hear her staring to settle, I got myself comfortable for the night. I was sure tomorrow was going to be another jam-packed day, and I wanted to be ready.

Chapter Eighteen

~Nicole~

I was practically vibrating with excitement as we headed to the first apartment on the list. True to Stacy’s challenge, she had a list of four places in James’ email by seven thirty am. I had thought it at least ten times, but I couldn’t believe all of this was happening. I was going from being homeless and living in my car on Friday, to having a place on Sunday and being more financially secure than I had been in my entire life.

I didn’t even care what these places looked like, I was so happy. But I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of apartments did meet his expectations.

I guess that question was going to be answered soon, because according to the GPS, we were only ten minutes away. I hadn’t even eaten breakfast, I was so nervous, and right now those nerves were growing that much more persistent.

We were definitely in the nicer part of the city, where tourists went to treat themselves to nice lunches and overpriced dinners and was definitely out of my price range. But not out of James’, apparently, because he didn’t seem to be even sweating about all the money he had just agreed to spend every month for the next eighteen years.

We pulled into a sub division, and I was surprised as we went past townhouse after townhouse before finally reaching a large building at the back of the development. It had to be at least ten stories tall and overlooked the water of the Mississippi just far enough away not to be a flooding hazard. It was obviously brand new, maybe a couple of years old at most, and I could practically smell to new-development-scent.

“Wow,” I said, heading out of the car. Only belatedly did I realize that James was coming around the car to open the door, but I was already on the ground. Damn, I didn’t know if I would ever get used to that.

“I’m glad you approve. Let’s see if you like the inside just as much.”

“I can’t imagine I won’t.”

He offered his arm again and lead me to a much smaller building that was just to the side of the apartments. If I had to guess, I would think that it was an office.

Turned out I was right. But it was the nicest office that I ever walked into. Almost the first step in the door a receptionist came to greet us and asked if we wanted a drink. I just requested water, but James asked for a full on complicated coffee drink and the worker simply nodded then hurried off.

I stood there awkwardly, not sure where to go, but before I could even ask James, someone else in a nice business get up approached us, clipboard in hand.

“Hello, Mr. Hines, is it?”

“Yes,” he said, releasing my arm to shake the woman’s hand. She was quite professional looking, with her thick curls pulled back into a bun and umber lipstick on her full lips. “So glad to meet you. I assume you’re Miss Kenyo that Stacy told me about?”

“Please, call me Pamela.”

“Of course, Pamela. Is the apartment ready to see?”

“Indeed, it is! And I think you’re going to like it!” She looked to me and her smile was both broad and genuine. “And you must be Mrs. Hines!”

“Oh, no. I’m-” I froze mid word, my brain catching up. “Actually… yeah. I guess I kinda am.”

The woman gave me a bit of a confused look, but James interceded so smoothly I had to wonder if he had a script in front of him. “We’re getting a divorce,” he said, not sounding ashamed in the slightest. “Sometimes, even after so much time spent loving each other, sometimes you realize that you’re not the right fit. So, we’re finding my best friend a place to live where I know she’ll be safe.”

The woman’s eyes slipped down to my stomach before a pleasant smile crossed her face. “How wonderful that you could stay on pleasant turns. If only my ex an I could be so civil!”

“Yes, that’s the word for it…” I murmured, feeling a bit embarrassed. If I had just kept my mouth shut, we might have looked like a normal, mega-rich couple buying another apartment that we would never use.

But thankfully, the woman was supremely professional and moved on, leading us back out of the office and towards the apartment building.