The Stupid Side of Practical

Chapter 9

Gripping her warm tea in both hands Gina let out a sigh as she followed behind Josh and Nicole Diaz, their realtor. The woman reeked of Elizabeth Taylor and wore a bright red business suit that made her look like a devil better suited for a penthouse center fold than a realtor showing them their future dream home.

Josh was certainly a morning person. After much bickering she allowed him to sleep over again, only this time he had slept on the couch. Then as if he wanted to torture her, he had woken her up at six in the morning to start on their house hunting adventure.

They visited several homes in excellent parts of Chicago, all three or four bedrooms which terrified her. How many rooms does a man need? Her eyes took in the blank white walls of the living room while Nicole and Josh ventured into the kitchen. She had no idea what she was even looking for, what did someone need to raise a baby? She gone from her parents two flat apartment over the restaurant to her tiny loft.

Honestly, her ideal dream home wish list was simple. She wanted a large freezer for ice cream because, hello? Ice cream. A window over the kitchen sink, because it felt domestic. And a bathtub big enough that her feet, knees and boobs could all be under the water at the same time. What more could a girl ask for?

"Hey Beautiful,"

At the sound of his voice she turned to see Josh coming back from the kitchen with a lazy smile on his features. "You're in your own little world today, any chance you'll let me in it?"

"You couldn't afford the admission," she said quietly as she glanced back out at the front yard from the living room window.

"Try me," Josh glanced back towards the kitchen where he left the realtor, then back at Gina. "I'm dying to know what's running through that mind of yours."

After a beat, she decided to come clean. "Why do we need some many rooms?" Gina asked lifting her cup to her lips.

"You're going to need an office," Josh shrugged. "Somewhere to run your business."

"Oh," Gina lowered her cup as her glanced down at the hardwood floors. She never imagined having an office before. Usually she just worked wherever the mood struck her. She lifted her eyebrows slightly while she envisioned a space just for her. A bright pink desk in the middle of the room, because why not? As a woman who grew up in a man's world, she enjoyed her shades of pink and glitter.

"You know," his voice cut into her thoughts about a gold glitter wall. "I mean it when I say this is for both of us?" Josh said stepping closer. "I want you to have something that you like."

"What about you?"

"I'll be fine wherever you and the baby are."

Gina eyes perked up as she looked up at him curiously, "Didn't you have dreams of your own before this happened?"

Josh made a face lifting his hands and placing them on her shoulders, "My dreams always consisted of finding the right girl and a good home and making a beautiful family."

"What Hallmark special did you step out of?" she smirked brushing one of his hands off her shoulder so she could walk down the hall to one of bedrooms.

Josh let out a sigh, "Look, living with my mother wasn't exactly horrible, but it did open my eyes to a lot of things in life that people take for granted."

"Like what?" Gina asked causally. "We practically grew up together as brother and sister and not once have I ever seen you go without. In fact, I would say you're a little spoiled and demanding."

Josh smiled. "We may have grown up together, but clearly we had two very different childhoods," Josh walked into the bedroom and opened the closet peering inside. "My mom was never able to afford rent and food," Josh said softly. "If it wasn't for your mom and dad, I probably wouldn't have eaten most nights."