Page 49 of Single Teddy
“Oh no. Chestnut Hill is famous for its low prices. I’m surprised there’s even an apartment available. There’s usually a waiting list.”
Teddy nodded in contemplation, and we made our way inside. The hallways smelled of cleaning products and lemon, and several plants decorated the path to the elevator, along with artful portraits on the walls. The building looked as polished as it smelled and so did the old-style cage elevator, complete with a manually operated grated door that could become automatic with a push of a button for those with mobility or health issues.
“I don’t want to jinx it, but…I’m getting a good feeling about this. Are you sure it’s going to be cheap?” Teddy asked, and it took everything in me not to take his hand and squeeze it.
“I’ll bite my hand if it’s not.”
“That’s comforting, but you don’t need to turn into a cannibal.”
I chuckled, and when we got to the third floor, I asked Bear if he wanted to let us out. He used all his strength to slide it open.
“Hm…you’re a little weak, Bear. Have you been eating your veggies?”
Bear grimaced.
“No. I don’t like them.”
I turned to Teddy with a dramatically shocked expression, and he nodded with an equally large reaction.
“But how are you going to become strong like your uncle if you don’t eat your vegetables?”
Bear considered our statement as if he’d just bitten a lemon and then looked at his uncle.
“But you don’t eat vegetables.”
“Of course I do. How do you think I got these big muscles?”
Oh dear god. What had I started? He was flexing his muscles for his nephew’s benefit, but I was the one getting flustered.
Great job, Wes.
“Oh. But they taste so bad,” Bear groaned.
“Hm…how about I share some nice recipes with your uncle, and you can give them a try and tell me if you still think they taste bad after that?”
Bear paused and, after a moment, shrugged a yes, which was a win in his case.
“Right. Let’s go see this apartment that might be your new home,” I said, and we searched for apartment 314 with Bear’s help.
The Realtor opened the door for us with a big smile and Bear ran through the apartment before saying hello. Not that I could blame him. This place looked amazing. It wasn’t just clean. It was modern but minimal. It had an open-plan living room and kitchen, divided only by the kitchen island, and it had all the appliances one could need, like a fridge, an oven, and even a built-in microwave above it.
To the right of the front door were two rooms, one with a queen bed, the other with a single, and a bathroom between the two rooms.
Everything was awash in the sunlight coming through the large front windows, making it look not just welcoming but perfectly cozy.
It was small, but that only added to its charm.
“I think it’ll be perfect for you, guys,” I said.
“I think so too. I can’t believe it’s fully furnished.”
“Oh if you want we can remove them. We like furnishing apartments for viewings so they can feel more homely right away, and most people go for the furnished option anyway, but if you have your own—” started the Realtor.
“Oh no. It’s perfect the way it is,” Teddy was quick to add.
“You three will be very happy in here,” the Realtor said, and my entire body stilled.
“Oh. Oh, we’re not…” I said, but I choked on nothing.
