UNBREAKABLE

Eight.

              It was three days later and Hayley couldn't close her mouth. Probably because her jaw was on the floor. When she had told JR to buy her a house, she hadn't really meant it. But clearly he had taken it literally judging from the apartment she was viewing. It was a three bedroom with four baths and a kitchen that although small compared to the mansion was beautiful. It looked like one of those apartments that rich couples lived in and Hayley fell in love with it. She could see her and Alexis living here. But she wasn't going to accept it. It was one thing to live in his house and another to let him buy her a house. Turning to JR she told him

          "It's nice but I'm. not going to accept it. Thank you anyway."

           "Okay. Let's go then." JR said.

            Half an hour later they were standing in front of another house. This one had it's own fence and a back yard. There were other houses but they were spaced out giving the neighbors privacy but also a sense of community. It was perfect for Alexis and her and without thinking she blurted out "I'll take it." JR breathed a sigh of relief. He had more houses lined up but he didn't want to go house shopping with her. Actually he'd never done any kind of shopping until today. Whatever prompted him was a mystery.

"I mean it's nice and amazing and God I want it but I can't let you buy me a house." she amended. Hayley didn't want to look like those women who dated men for their money. But then again she wasn't really dating him now. Was she?

"Why not? You told me to buy you one. If you don't like this one, I have more we can view" JR said.

"I don't mean it like that. I just mean that I want a house but I don't want you to buy it. Can we find one I can rent?"

"Why rent when you can buy it?" he was starting to get exasperated

"I can't buy one because I don't have any money. Besides I don't want to be indebted to you."

"Are you taking the house or not?"

"Yes. No. Maybe. I don't know" Hayley could see his irritation. "Well excuse me if I have morals. My father taught me to work for things not just accept them."

"If you don't like it just say it. Stop beating around the bush"

"Oh my God don't you get it?"

"Actually no. Do I call Leslie or shall we go and view the others?" JR asked wishing he had just let Leslie do this.

What? Why would he call a Leslie? "Who's Leslie?"

"Why do you care?"

"I don't. I-I was just as....."

He interrupted her "Get in the car."

"What?"

"In the car Hayley. Get in before I lose my patience and shove you in it like a sack of potatoes"

"What's crawled up your ass now?"

"I swear to God Hayley"

"Fine. No need to be rude" she got in feeling proud of herself for riling him up.

           Now that the matter had been solved all he had to do was get her things moved from his garage although if it was up to him he would just throw away her old furniture and buy her new ones. And why do you care? His inner voice asked him. Buying her a house was enough. The rest she could figure out by herself. He didn't need to do everything for her. Turning to face her he took a moment to appreciate her face. She looked so happy and that in turn made him happy. So genuinely happy that he stopped to think when was the last time he felt that emotion.