A Family Affair(82)

“Three bedrooms, two baths, almost sixteen hundred square feet, recently remodeled kitchen and main bath. The owners had it inspected and it’s in excellent condition.”

“Wow, it really is nice inside,” Jenn said.

Maura walked over to the dining room sliders and opened them. “Take a look out here. The owners enjoyed entertaining outside and went to a lot of trouble to make sure it was attractive and inviting. They will, of course, leave that wonderful gas grill, if you want them to.”

The backyard was lush and expertly trimmed with trees mature enough to block their house from the neighbors’.

“Come look at this,” Mike said, taking Jenn’s hand. He pulled her to the side of the house and showed her a walkway on that side, edged by mature plants, a couple of plum trees and a tall wooden gate.

“And look at the trees. Plum, lemon, lime and peach. And that’s the garage.”

“It’s kind of small,” she said.

“I know. I think it will only take one small car, if that. And it can’t be enlarged.” He turned back to the Realtor. “Let us poke around a little bit and talk. I promise we won’t open any drawers or closets.”

“I’ll wait out front, but please, check out the closets and kitchen cabinets. There’s a remarkable amount of space for a little house.”

“It’s not that little,” Michael said. “My apartment is about seven or eight hundred square feet. One bedroom. Galley kitchen.”

“I didn’t know you even knew what that was,” Jenn said. “Listen to you, the seasoned home shopper. How much are they asking?”

He showed her the flyer and she grabbed her heart and choked. He laughed. “Pretty steep, right? My folks bought their first house in Oakland for fifty thousand. But look at the kitchen—she’s right, there’s a lot of space. There’s even a pantry. And most houses this old don’t have an actual laundry room, but this one does. I think maybe it was an afterthought. I think that bedroom, bathroom and laundry room were added on. This is a pretty nice house,” he said, standing a bit taller.

He heard the sound of the front door closing behind Maura. He stood in the center of the living room, watching in appreciation while Jenn poked around in the kitchen. She oohed and aahed over shelves that slid out, custom drawers with wooden dividers, lazy Susan storage in the pantry.

“Lemons, limes, peaches and plums?” she said. “This kitchen? Amazing. It really is nice, even if it is pink on the outside.”

“I told Maura to find a house for someone who loves to cook,” he said.

“Why would you do that?” she asked a bit hesitantly.

“Because, Jenn, you love to cook. And I love you,” he said. “And I am only interested in buying this house if you’ll live in it with me.”

She took a step back and put her hands behind her back. “No, Michael. I’m not going to be your roommate or co-owner or live with you. I’m happy for you that you can buy a house like this, but I’m looking for more security than—”

He reached into his jeans pocket, pulled out a small box and dropped to one knee. He was shaking. He was terrified. He wouldn’t blame her if she told him no.

“I know I fucked up. I even know how I fucked up and I also know it might not be the last time because I’m an idiot, which is why I have to find someone really smart to marry. Jenn, I’ve figured a few things out about why I fell apart. Okay, my mom helped me figure it out and set some new goals. Believe me, if anyone knows relationships...” He flipped open the lid of the ring box and a very respectable diamond ring twinkled inside. “I love you with all my heart, Jenn. Feeling that caught me off guard. I’ve never felt this way before. I’d do anything for you. All I need is for you to give me a chance to prove I can be a better, stronger man. Well, and marry me, because we both know I can’t make it without you.”

“Oh, Michael, I don’t know.” She brought her hands out from behind her back and twisted them. “We haven’t actually even made up since that booty call incident.”

“Sure we have! I apologized, you chastised me, I groveled, you said it will never happen again, et cetera. Makeup complete.”

“I’m not sure...”

“I’ll get you a contract—if I flake out again you can have a million dollars!”

She put her hands on her hips. “There you go again, promising things you don’t have and won’t have. Unless...” She put her hand over her mouth. “Did your father leave you a million dollars?”

“Of course not. He left me a very nice down payment on a house in San Rafael that I’ll be spending my first weekend in painting. Jenn, baby, my knee hurts. I love you so much. I’m sorry I was an idiot. This ring needs to be on your finger!”

She looked at him, down there on one knee. “It is very pretty.”

“It’s very pretty, but if you want to exchange it, I’m good with that.”

“Here’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to say yes, but I’m not walking down the aisle until we’ve had a very long talk and some premarital counseling.”

“I can do that,” he said.

“And I’m staying with my parents until we resolve a few things.”

“Okay. I hope we resolve them quickly.”