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Josh types idly on his laptop while the CNN pundits bicker on the TV in front of him. President Santos’ American Jobs Plan includes incentives for cities that end single family zoning. Robert Montgomery of The Federalist, your thoughts? Well, Ken, it’s obvious Matt Santos hates the suburbs. He’s saved from a massive coronary by the sound of Donna crashing through his front door.
“My building is going co-op,” she announces as she strips of her coat and kicks off her heels, quickly losing the four-inch advantage they gave her.
He turns off the TV and leans his head back against the couch. “Really?”
“You sound surprised.”
“Well yeah,” he lolls his head to the side to look at her as she collapses down next to him, “because aren’t condos supposed to be nice?”
“I like my apartment, thank you. It has—"
“Character,” he nods as he brings his arm around her, pulling her to his side. “Yeah, I know. Co-op, really?”
“That’s the gossip at the mail drop,” she sighs. “I have ninety days to put up or move out.”
He hums quietly, “So are you going to buy?”
Donna pulls back abruptly, “You’re kidding?”
“What?”
“I don’t have that kind of money,” she scoffs.
“You don’t?”
“No!”
“I’ve seen your salary; you make good money.”
“Yes, but you forget until recently I did not make good money, in fact,” she points to him, “I made the opposite of good money. I made no money.”
“Right and that’s my fault.”
“Because you were so lacking in power, yes.” She pauses for a moment, then throws herself to the other side of the couch, her stocking covered feet landing in Josh’s lap. He takes the hint and begins to knead at one of her arches. “I mean this could not come at a worse time—god, Josh that feels amazing—we have the Easter egg roll, then the whole South America thing. Now I have to find time to find a new apartment?”
“No, you don’t.”
“No? You’re going to buy my apartment for me moneybags?”
“Nice try.” He says, dropping her foot unceremoniously. “No, I’m saying you could just move in here.”
“Here?”
“Yeah. Here.”
“Here with you?”
“Well, I certainly don’t have time to find a new apartment. Or condo, I guess,” he says throwing a smirk in her direction. “Some of us can actually afford a down payment.”
“Some of us,” Donna tuts, “don’t benefit from generational wealth, Joshua.”
“Well now I’m definitely writing you out of my will.”
“Don’t talk like that.” Donna prods him with her foot, and Josh resumes his task. “You’re serious?”
“About my will? I don’t even think I have one.”
“Josh. You’re serious about moving in together?”
“Yeah,” he says as if to convince himself, “Yeah. I am serious. Move in with me.”
“Like permanently?”
“No for the summer,” his voice rising in pitch. “Yes permanently. Think about it, you already spend most of your nights here.”
Donna sits up and smiles, “So, in this situation you’d be what, my roommate or my landlord?"
“I think a little of both.”
“I don’t know,” she ponders, moving back to his side of the couch, “what would the rent be like?”
“Well, I have it on good authority that some very important people live in this building.”
“Really?” she gasps.
Yeah,” he nods, pulling her closer, “high power Washington-types."
“Sounds exclusive.”
“Plus, Georgetown is a very desirable neighborhood.”
“And expensive.”
“But,” Josh leans down to press his forehead to hers, “I’m a very generous landlord.”
“Yeah?” Donna smiles.
He pulls back abruptly, “Three thousand bucks a month plus utilities seems fair—”
“What!”
“Or—” he trails off.
“Or?” she prompts, eyes searching his.
“Free,” he shrugs, “in exchange for sexual favors, of course.”
“Ah, how very Washington of you Mr. Lyman.”
“I got tired of fighting it,” he says nonchalantly before growing serious again, “So, what do you think?”
Donna trails her hand up his chest, avoiding his gaze “About moving in?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, those terms seem fair.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah,” she hums as she presses her lips to his.
“You should know,” he mumbles against her mouth ,“I do have to do a credit check before you move in. You know make sure you’re good for it and all.”
“I think that be arranged.”