Page 45 of Jonesing for a Spy

His response is immediate.

Charlie

You have balls, man. Mikey told me you asked Mirren on a date.

Is that all he told him?

Yeah. I’d apologize, but she’s hysterical and gorgeous. I had to shoot my shot.

Next time, you can stay at my place so you can avoid shooting anything.

Not. Gonna. Happen.

Appreciate the offer. Gotta admit, November is way better than August for heat and humidity.

Am I talking about the weather?

And the tourists. Not you. But Labor Day through Memorial Day are way better than summer for traffic, restaurants, and general life. Check that. Labor Day through Spring break. Though that gets earlier every year.

Besides, the first time you came there was no electricity.

I remember wondering if I’d ever stop sweating.

The answer is no. Or if you do, it’s raining.

You’re selling me hard on never returning.

Refer to above text where you asked my sister out.

Well played.

I put the truck in drive, thankful for seat warmers and the heat finally coming through the vents, and head home.

I’ve never minded living alone. Never struggled with meals for one or having the TV remote all to myself. But somehow my house feels too silent, too still.

Laundry done, suitcase put away, and dinner started, I yank open my laptop and search the listing for Mirren’s house, the old one up on a real estate site, and compare the two. Her updates are stunning in person. It takes no time at all to realize how much she did. It wasn’t a gut and rebuild, since the character is still there. It was meticulously crafted to keep the charm and beauty of one hundred years ago while adding modern conveniences that make it livable.

None of those things were done to flip it for sale. All of it was for her, for her life, her future. Even the cabinet heights aren’t standard. They’re a little shorter like her. I’d felt it but couldn’t put my finger on it. It was designed around Freckles.

So why doesn’t she live there? Why rent it out?

Sure, there’s money to be made in short-term rentals, but there’s more stability in the long-term or executive leasing market. Why lend it out on a weekly basis and stay above the garage?

Thinking about you. I have so many questions.

Mirren

Pat Benatar

Love is a battlefield?

I’m so disappointed. Seriously, I handed that to you on a silver platter, and you wiffed it.

Geez. The answer is obvious.

And that is?

Hit me with your best shot.