I tried to interrupt him but he held his hand up, a silent request to let him finish his thought, so I refrained from comment and continued to listen to his explanation.
“I actually agree with you that this place isn’t big enough for all of us and Caroline and I wanted to talk to you about what we see as our next step. I asked Josh to let us talk to you about it and work out all the details, but this is what I see as the best solution to the problem we have gotten in to. You want to give us space, we don’t want you to feel like you are a burden, and this place isn’t going to work for too long with a baby. Josh put his house on the market and we made an offer to buy it. You are welcome to move with us and there is plenty of room. Caroline and Maddie have discussed it and they want to give you the apartment if you want to stay here, so you have a place that is close to school and a home you thrive in. Knowing you are locked in tight and safe at night makes me happy as well.” Andrew reasoned with me.
“Why did you ask Josh not to talk to me about it? I don’t understand!” I was angry that I had spent the last two days with Josh, talking to him about looking for a place, getting to know him, and he knew he was selling his house to them the whole time.
Caroline picked up the explanation, “Josh had an idea and no one is sure how you would feel about it. If you don’t think it will work, there is another idea he had. He just wanted to give us the time to talk to you so you could make the best decision for you. He will be happy with whatever is decided, but please listen to the options before you make any snap judgments. Okay?” she asked.
I nodded my head but remained quiet. I was still pretty mad at everyone for trying to make plans for me, but I also had to remember that they were trying to keep my stress and anxiety at a manageable level, so them having discussed it made sense. I forced my posture to a more relaxed position and released the pent-up breath of frustration that was lingering.
“Josh will be traveling a few days a month for the launch of the next phase of growth. He could afford to buy an apartment in this building, two floors below so he would be close to you if you needed someone. My thought was, why not let him take the room we sleep in now. He will be traveling and Jake would be here to keep you company. You would have the safety of this apartment and you would be able to save money since the place would be in your name. If you don’t think you would be comfortable with him living here as a roommate,” a small, sly smirk playing across her face before she schooled her features and continued, “then he will buy in the building and you can have the place to yourself. It’s your choice or, you could always move outside the perimeter with us.”
“Let me see if I am following you guys. Josh sold you his house and y’all are moving outside the perimeter. That I understand. He has a great yard for Lillian to be able to play in, and the house is big enough for more kids in the future. You are giving me the apartment, and I have the choice of moving with you guys, staying here alone, or having Josh as a roommate. Is that about right?” I hoped by reciting the facts I would keep my nervousness from showing.
“That sums it up pretty well. I think that’s why he stayed here the last few days. It was a test run to see if you could stay in the same space without killing each other. I don’t want you to think anyone will be mad if you choose to live alone, but he said he is buying in the building, no matter what. It’s close to his office and the gym that we just opened downtown isn’t too far away. I like the thought of knowing that he’s here if you need anything. Jake is a great dog to have around when Josh is traveling, too. I trust Josh with you, Emily. I know he wouldneverhurt you.”
“Andrew is right, Emily. Josh is one of the greatest guys I have ever met, and having him as a roommate would be a good thing. He’ll be in and out so you’d have privacy, he is generous to a fault. With him, I know you’ll be safe. Plus, I agree with Andrew. You get Jake and that right there is enough for me to agree, because I’m a sucker for that big, dumb dog.” Caroline laughed as she got up from next to Andrew to check on Lillian who was make little grunting sounds from her bassinet.
“Can I think about it for a few days or do you need to know right now?” I needed the time to act like I didn’t already know my decision. I had to play it cool or Andrew might get the wrong idea and think I am only doing this because of my crush on Josh.
“Please. Think about it, talk to Josh, call Maddie. Whatever you need to do to make the best decision for you. No matter what you decide, we will support you. I just want you happy, Emily. I want to see you soar and somehow, I think this is the first step in finding your future.” Andrew came over and gave me a hug.
As I looked over my big brother’s shoulder, my sister-in-law gave me a smile and a wink, knowing what my decision was going to be before I needed one second to decide.
Josh was going to be my new roommate and I couldn’t wait!
I sent a text to Josh and asked him to meet me at the pizza place a few blocks from the apartment when he got off work. I wanted to talk to him in a neutral location without fear of outside influence. I also knew that meeting him in public would be better for my raging libido than he and I being alone somewhere. I didn’t fully understand why the proximity of Josh got my heart racing and made me have thoughts that are natural, sure, but completely foreign to me.
He told me what time to meet him, and I left in plenty of time to be able to walk over and window shop along the way. I loved the part of downtown Atlanta I lived in. There were restaurants, coffee houses, bars with live music, cute shops, and eclectic stores that lined the streets, most with apartments above them. The traffic can be brutal at times with the smaller roads and event centers lining Centennial Park nearby. Being able to sit on our balcony and enjoy the outdoor concerts is one of the most memorable things about my new home.
My home.
I can’t believe that they are giving it to me but I am grateful that I will be able to stay in the building. The security features that Jason added earlier this year for Caroline gave me a sense of safety that I haven’t felt in quite a while. I allowed my thoughts to wander to what it might be like living with Josh as I strolled from one shop to another.
Would he expect me to be a full-time girlfriend or does he even want to be with me like that? Will we cuddle on the couch or spend time alone in our rooms? Will he understand when I am lost in my head or will he grow tired of trying to have anormalrelationship?
Before I knew it, I was at Giovani’s Pizza House and as I made my way inside, I saw Josh sitting at the table in the corner, a smile on his face when he saw me walk through the door. He stood to greet me when I approached the table and I leaned in for a hug, hoping I wasn’t overstepping any bounds.
His strong arms engulfed me in a hug and I didn’t want to move from the embrace but I willed myself to pull back. Josh pulled my chair out and helped me get seated before he took the chair directly next to me and pulled himself up to the table.
Hoping to get the living stuff out of the way before I asked him about the kiss, I started to speak, when the waitress dropped off the beverages he had ordered and took our dinner orders.
I looked at him after she was gone and before I could get the words out of my head, Josh leaned in and gave me a gentle kiss, pulling back with a smile. “I’ve been wanting to do that all day.”
My smile shone on my face as I reached over and laced my fingers with his. “Me too.” I looked at him and felt the affection coming off of him. It almost felt like love. He looked at me the way Uncle Joe looks at Aunt Lisa and Andrew looks at Caroline. I definitely needed to get my feelings under control so we could discuss everything.
“Why do you want to share an apartment with me?” I blurted without thinking and smacked my hand over my mouth, praying the words would fly back in, unheard and forgotten.
