LUKE
Jess and I are touring our third house of the day. We decided if we are going to live a new life together then we can’t live above my bar. Plus there is no yard for Reeko. We both have enough money to buy a house so it really isn’t the problem. The problem is finding one that works for both of us.
Jess nods at the real estate agent but turns to me. “What do you think?”
“I don’t know, there really isn’t an office for me.”
“We can convert one of the bedrooms into an office.”
“That would take away bedrooms from our children.”
She looks at me in shock. “It’s a five bedroom house. How many children are you planning on having?”
“As many as we can.” I grin and wiggle my eyebrows.
Jess rolls her eyes. “Ok, how about we build one in the basement. Then we can turn the rest into a rec room.”
I nod. “I think I can get behind that. We will have to fence the yard for Reeko, so there will be some changes to the yard. But I think it will be good.”
Jess nods. “I think we finally agree on one.”
My phone starts ringing. I hold up my finger because I see that it is Jasmine. Jess nods and starts talking to the agent on her own. I answer the call. “Yeah, what’s going on?”
Jass huffs into the phone. “Mom is being unreasonable again.”
“How so this time?”
“She is giving me a hard time about my hair.”
I am confused. “What exactly is wrong with your hair? Blond is pretty standard.”
She is quiet for a bit too long. “Jass, what did you do?”
“Look, it is temporary.”
“Jass.”
“So I kind of have a rainbow theme going on.”
I can’t help but laugh. “Please do not tell me that you did your hair like a rodeo clown.”
“No, it is much cooler than that. Like punkish. I cut it a little, that is the only part that is permanent. It’s going to wash out in like six washes.”
“So, what is the big deal?”
“Mom set up another meeting and she is stressed about what it looks like.”
“Why can’t she just reschedule. It’s not like it is an actual meeting.”
“I know that, but she doesn’t seem to think it matters. She yelled at me for a long time. I did it for a charity. It’s not like I did it to be defiant. I just wanted to be a part of what everyone else was doing. They loved it.”
I sigh. “Mom will get over it. Just tell her that you don’t want to do her meetings any more and deal with the rest later. You know she is just worried about you.”
“I know that, but I would like to just live my own life. I think I figured out what I want to do, and it has nothing to do with just being a wife to some up tight jerk.”
“Just tell her that. She won’t make you do these meetings anymore if you have a goal.”
“I tried, she wouldn’t listen. I want you to help me.”
“What is this career that you are looking at?”
“I already have it. It’s a coordinator for this non-profit. They fund programs for children and pregnant women. But they have a lot of fundraisers and things like that. I met with the director today and she loved me. It’s a good job. I don’t really have to worry about making a bunch of money, but this is a good job for me. I like to help people and you know it. Please, help me talk to mom.”
“Alright. I’ll help you talk to mom. Honestly you are probably better off getting David to help you. She always listens to him.”
“Yeah, but you know me better.”
“Well, if you want my help then I will help you. You are always there to help me.”
“Thank you so much. You are the best big brother ever.”
“Sure I am. Until you need something that I can’t do.”
“Na, you are always my favorite.”
I can’t help but laugh. “I’ll see you later. I’ll talk to mom.”
Ending the call, I turn around and see Jess with a big smile on her face. “What are you talking to your mom about?”
“Jass apparently has a new job that mom doesn’t like. I think it’s just that mom isn’t taking her seriously with rainbow hair.”
Jess can’t hold back the laugh. “Really? What brought that on?”
“Charity. It’s supposed to wash out. Anyway, what did the realtor say?”
“She said that we have to sign the papers and then once it is through escrow then we can move in. It’s a process, but we can wait.”
“We will have to take daily trips to the dog park until we get this fence built for Reeko. I don’t want him to get hit by a car or anything.”
She smiles and wraps her arms around me. “I love that you care about my dog.”
“Well, he likes me too.”
“As long as you like me too.”
“Nope, I think I am only marrying you for your dog.”
She laughs. “Nice try.”
“I could be helplessly in love with you. You know in case you are interested.”
She steps up on her toes, “I am very interested.” Her lips meet mine.
“I love you Jessica.” I can’t help but mumble the words against her lips.
She grins. “Dito.”