Page 103 of Takedown

Understanding dawns on him and he kisses me senseless. “I knew you would.” He spins me around, and I start to laugh.

“Got in what?” Jason asks.

“Law school,” I tell him. “I just got an email saying that I’m in. Northeastern University School of Law.”

“What? I didn’t know you were interested in law.” He tries to pry me out of Adam’s arms, but Adam’s grip tightens until I tell him it’s okay to let me go. Jason hugs me and kisses my cheek.

“I’ll run to the store and get us some champagne, love,” Adam says while he pulls me away from Jason and wraps his arm around my waist.

“I have some here.” Jason steps through his front door and waves for us to come in. Neither of us makes a move to go inside.

“No, Jason.” Understanding dawns, and he nods.

“I’ll bring it upstairs. I’ll bring Alex and the four of us will have dinner. I’ll order something.”

52

“You sure about this, Mel?” I ask my wife.

She nods at me but I shake my head. I have a bad feeling about this.

“It’s just going to be Jason and Alex. It will be fine.” She gets on her toes and wraps her arms around my neck.

“Okay, but I’m out of patience with your brother. I found some houses I want you to look at. It’s time for us to move out, and no cheapskate Mel. We’re getting your dream house, complete with a swimming pool and hot tub.”

She nods and buries her face in my bare chest. I kiss the top of her head and bask in the feel of my wife in my arms.

“I feel like you need cheapskate Mel now more than ever before.” I can’t help but laugh. She’s dead serious.

“Not when it comes to your dreamhouse, love. You’re going to get everything you want.” She wraps her arms around my waist and smiles.

“Go shower. You’re gross, and I’ll look as soon as they leave. We’ll curl up on Lola together. I’ll even let you feel me up, but what about all the properties your dad left you?”

“I’m going to do a lot more than feel you up. We can look at those too, but they’re not in the city. But if you feel like moving to Aspen Colorado, we have a house there.” Her eyes widen in surprise, and I shrug my shoulders at her.

“Are you serious?” she asks.

“As a heart attack.”

“I’ve always wanted to learn to ski.”

She slaps my butt as I walk away to hop in the shower.

By the time I return to the living room fifteen minutes later, Alex and Jason are already there. The second I join them in the kitchen, Jason pops open the champagne, and we toast to Mel.

“Tell me about your weekend,” Alex says several minutes later over the Greek food that was delivered.

“It was great,” Mel answers before I can. “Adam’s brother and sister are really nice. We spent a lot of time together. They can’t get enough of their baby brother. Oh, we saw Dad.” She messes my hair the same way Elizabeth did all weekend. She tries to pinch my cheek but I block her hand. “We’re going back in two weeks for her bridal shower.” Mel pulls out her phone and shows our guests pictures of our weekend. Alex snatches the phone from Mel and starts scrolling through the pictures on her own.

“Yeah, your dad couldn’t wait to tell us about his time in the back of the Maybach or his time at the penthouse.” Alex finishes her champagne and refills her glass. “I had the phone on speaker and your mom overheard. I swear all her hair turned white when she found out about Adam.” She pauses as she looks at a picture of Mel in the bridesmaid dress. “Whoa.”

“I don’t know how she did it, but she had that dress waiting for me. Fits like a glove,” Mel says. Then she lowers her voice and tells the room, “It’s haute couture. I went from clearance rack chic to haute couture.” She and Alex both burst into laughter.

“You guys aren’t moving to New York, are you?” Jason asks. His fork stops midway to his mouth while he waits for an answer.

“No,” I tell him. “Our life is here.” Jason takes a breath and resumes eating, but his eyes keep darting back to Mel. “But we are moving out,” I tell him.

He drops his fork, and it clangs on his plate. “You two don’t need to leave,” he says. “Mom’s apartment will be ready in about five more weeks.”

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