Page 62 of Taming a Menace

“I guess I’m done.”

“Good,” he said, closing his eyes.

I didn’t want to take the chance of knocking anything over, so I closed my plates and put them on the side table before sliding the TV tray to the side and sitting back. Key’s eyes were open again and focused on the TV.

“So is that her husband, or is the Cuban guy her husband?”

“The Cuban guy is her ex-husband. That’s her boyfriend,” I explained.

“And she’s having sex with both of them already? The show just started. They came out of the gate swinging.”

“I guess they wanted to hook viewers early on.”

“Well they got me.”

“I see.” I laughed.

When it changed scenes, he lifted his head and scowled.

“What the hell do these people do for a living to afford that house?”

“Both of them work in real estate,” I explained.

“I’m in the wrong business,” he said, resting his head back on my lap.

“You and me both.”

“I’m working on finding something else. I was about to buy a house when I got locked up.”

“You’ve made this place nice.”

“It didn’t take much. I’m not going to stay here long though. Well maybe not. I own this duplex. I bought it when I finished culinary school. I lived here for about a year and rented the other side. I used the money from the tenants to finish paying for it after a couple of years.”

“Oh wow.”

“Yeah, one of the units just happened to be vacant when I got approved to change addresses.”

“I need to look into doing something like that,” I noted.

“I can put you in touch with the right people, if you want me to. The market is shitty right now though.”

“Yeah, I’m aware. I just bought the house I was renting that night you cooked for me. Most of the houses that were on my list were out of my price range in the first place. All of them have gone up like 25 percent in cost over the past few years. Some have increased by even more.”

“I still remember the kitchen. Did you get a good deal on the house?” he asked.

“I mean, it could have been better. I had a really good team working on my behalf, plus I was in a rush. I moved in with my sister the same night I found out my ex had a baby on me. She’s married though. Her and her husband welcomed me with open arms, but I didn’t like feeling like an intruder, if that makes sense. I missed having my own space. I found out my dream house was available, and they had actually lowered the price a little. The seller was extremely motivated, and so was I. I jumped on the deal, and the rest is history.”

“Cool,” he said, tuning back into the show. “Oh hell naw, I know she didn’t say what I think she said.”

“You’re getting into my little soap opera I see,” I teased.

“It ain’t that bad. Plus, as long as I get to lay in your warm ass lap on these soft thighs, I’ll watch anything.”

“See,” I said as I shoved his head playfully.

“Stop trying to deprive me, woman. I’m behaving. I just want to be as close as possible to my two favorite girls; you, and this tight little heater down here.”

I scoffed. “I can’t with you.”