"So I told my sister your family was coming to visit over Labor Day," Ben said over brunch. "And now she wants to visit that weekend too, with my mother and the twins."
"Oh wow," I said after swallowing a too-big mouthful of French toast. "That's, um, a lot."
"I know," he said. "I tried to talk her out of it, but she wasn't having it. We obviously can't all go out to eat with twin toddlers and a baby, but I was thinking maybe we could have a barbecue at your place one of the days, since you have the backyard. What do you think?"
I did some math in my head. 8 adults (9 if Brad was around), two toddlers, and a baby. We could swing it, but we'd need more chairs. I could probably borrow some from Marni and Luke.
"Let's do it," I said, finally. "I hope they don't all hate each other."
"They probably will," he said cheerfully. "If nothing else, it will be good for stand-up material."
"You are not allowed to make fun of my family on stage," I said.
"I know, I know," he said. He flagged down the waiter to get the check, and we headed out to meet the realtor, Janis.
We met her at the first apartment, the one in my neighborhood. When she saw Ben, her eyes got wide and she was immediately flustered.
"Hi," she said. "You must be Ben. So nice to meet you in person." She went to shake his hand, and missed, and then turned bright red and started laughing nervously. It's weird – when we first started dating, that would have made me so insecure. Now I just think it's funny.
The first apartment was okay. One large bedroom, one small one, and a main area large enough to be both a living room a dining room. The kitchen was really small, though, with almost no counter space. And the bathroom looked like it had been built – and last cleaned – in 1865. Ew.
"What do you think?" Ben whispered when the real estate took a call.
"I think you can do better," I said. "And the bathroom is horrifying."
"This is why I need you here," he said with a smile. "I totally would have taken this just to be done with looking."
The next apartment, which was actually slightly cheaper, was much nicer. The two bedrooms were more like one bedroom and a walk-in closet, but it also had a big balcony/deck in the back. Not large enough for a huge party, but definitely space for a small gathering, and room for a grill. And the bathroom, though small, was clean. And it had a breakfast nook! And adorable little breakfast nook.
"Well?" he asked.
"I kind of love it."
"Me too."
The third place was in a high-rise building, and it felt like a hotel. Lots of white, open space, and abstract prints. There was both a doorman and an elevator attendant.
"There's a gym in the building," Janis said. "And bike storage. And a roof deck. And the landlord is offering one month of free rent with a two-year lease."
She brought us up to the apartment, and rang the bell. While we waited, two women came out of the apartment next door. They looked like they were in their early 20s, and were both tall, thin, blond, beautiful, and walked with an easy grace that made me think they were probably models.
"You're so not living here," I said to Ben.
He laughed. "I don't want to," he said. "It's too… sterile."
"It is."
In the end, he told the realtor he wanted to try for the second place, which is available October 1st. His lease is technically up at the end of August, but he sweet-talked his landlord into giving him an additional month, so the timing is perfect. I'd hate to give up my apartment because I love it so, but if I were to move in with Ben at some point, I'd be all about that breakfast nook.
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