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“Would you… Jenny, would you like to live in a different apartment? Someplace nice?”
She waited for a moment. Then she smiled at me, but it wasn’t “my” Jenny’s smile. It was a smile I’d seen before. Mostly from parties on the other side of a business deal when they had zero intention of playing by my rules. “Coley, why don’t you just say what you want to say? You’re askin’ me all these questions, but like you said, it’s too ‘broad.’ I don’t know what you want.”
I sighed. “I don’t know whatyouwant.”
“Then I guess we’re even.” She eyed me appraisingly.
“I guess you did say some things you want—or don’t want. You said you don’t want me hooking anymore.” Jenny’s tone was matter-of-fact. “And you don’t want me working at Sizzler. So it sounds like you’vesomeideas.”
“I’d like to hear your ideas first,” I said plaintively.
“Ha Coley, okay. Here’s my idea: how about you make me an offer I can’t refuse.” Her eyes sparkled. She knew she had me. “And I will entertain it.”
“You know what, Jenny?”
She arched an eyebrow. “What?”
“You’re smart.”
“I know,” she said. “It’s my secret weapon.”
I sighed again. “Here’s an offer you can’t refuse. How about I buy you an apartment, huh?”
She didn’t look as excited as I’d hoped.
“And any kind of car you want? What did you say you liked—Range Rovers? How about I buy you a South End condo and a Range Rover?” I asked somewhat desperately.
She smiled at me, but again, it wasn’t with the exuberance I’d expected. “That sounds real good, Coley,” she said. “A South End condo and a Range Rover is an offer a girl like me sure can’t refuse.”
“So, are youacceptingmy offer?”
Jenny kept smiling. “Yes, Coley. I am accepting it. How about we go down to the beach and find Iggy to celebrate? I still have some of those mustard greens in my bag!”
She bent and gave me a quick kiss, then hustled to go and get ready.
And I just sat there, feeling a little sick. I knew I’d somehow blown a crucial negotiation, even though I’d gotten everything on my list.
She’d said yes.
She wasn’t going back to hooking—we’d be exclusive.
She was going to live in the South End condo I’d buy for her.
She was going to drive the Range Rover I’d give her as a gift.
She’d said it was a great offer. An offer she couldn’t refuse.
And yet, even though she’d agreed to all of it, it didn’t feel like a win.
I’d lost something, and I wasn’t even sure what it was.
JENNY
We madeit through the day mostly unscathed. And by unscathed, I meant that Cole and I had enjoyed the resort. We swam in the gorgeous water, made love, ate delicious food, fed Iggy the Iguana, remembered to apply sunscreen and hydrate regularly, and hadn’t talked further about Things That Made Me Upset.
So, I wasmostlyunscathed by the time we sat down for dinner with the whole wedding crew. We were in an outdoor seating area with tiki torches and candles, with a view of the ocean and the stars above. It was amazing, and I vowed to enjoy myself. I should be happy. After all, I was unscathed by Cole’s offer of a South End condo and a Range Rover.
Mostly.