Page 17 of Sin Wagon
Derek pulls into a parking spot, and I look out the window at a large brick apartment building. “Oh, I don’t know about this place already.”
“Let’s at least give it a chance,” Derek pushes gently.
We step out of the car and head inside. The building has an old, slightly dilapidated feel to it, and the lobby greets us with a musty, damp smell. A bubbly woman with straight dark hair approaches us, her smile bright.
“Derek, Delilah. I’m Nova. I recognize you from your headshots. How are you?” she asks.
“We’re good, thanks. So this is it?” Derek asks, glancing around.
“Yeah. Let’s head up and see the space, shall we?”
“Nova, can I just ask what floor the apartment is on?” I interject.
“Oh, yeah, no problem. It’s on…” She flips through a folder. “Ten.”
“Is there an elevator?” Derek asks.
“No, just stairs. But the building is up to code,” she adds quickly.
“I’ll stop you there. My girl won’t be climbing that many stairs, and neither will our baby. Can we move on? Anything without an elevator is out,” Derek informs her firmly.
“Oh, sure, yeah. Sorry, Branson didn’t mention that,” she says, blushing. “No problem. I’ll text you the address for the next property, and we’ll meet there.”
“Perfect,” I tell her.
We get back in Derek’s car and head to the next property. The second place is a bit more promising, but we want to see the third before making decisions. By the time we’re done checking out the third property, I'm exhausted and ready to go home and lie down.
“Can we have a minute, Nova?” Derek asks.
“Yeah, of course,” she replies, moving off to the kitchen to fiddle with her phone.
“So, what do you think, babe? Either of these tickle your pickle?” Derek asks, turning to me.
“They’re both nice, but I liked the other one.”
“The condo, really?”
“Yeah, I’m surprised too. But it’s close to downtown, which means not a far commute for either of us, and it’s walking distance to that new club in town, Element. I might apply for a job there. I can serve drinks with a belly. It’s like a built-in tray.” I laugh.
“True, but I don’t think you should work late nights,” he says, frowning.
“I could do the day shift and just bartend. Nothing crazy. I have to get out of that cesspool of a coffee shop.”
“Fine,” he concedes.
We tell Nova that the prior place is it, and she hands us the application. Thanks to Branson's connection with the owner, she assures us that our approval will be immediate, and we can move in as soon as we want.
“I can’t wait to move in together and get the nursery started. It’s gonna be so fucking cute.”
Back at my place, I collapse on the couch, my feet throbbing. Derek sits beside me and starts massaging them, his strong hands working wonders.
“Thank you,” I murmur, closing my eyes.
“You’re welcome,” he replies softly. “We’ve got a ton of shit to do.”
“Yeah, we do,” I agree. “But I’m glad I have you by my side.”
“Always,” he says, squeezing my foot gently. “We’re in this together.”
