The Cage Sessions(8)

"Go there right now," he says. "I'll have Janice meet you there with the keys." He turns to Isabella. "Now, as for you, babe, I haven't seen you lately and that is not acceptable."

Isabella looks down and smiles as we get up.

"I know," she says, "I've been busy."

"No excuses," he says as he walks to the door and opens it. "Here. Friday. Dinner."

"I–", says Isabella.

"Enjoy your new apartment, Annika."

"Thank you so much," I say as I reach out to shake his hand.

"My pleasure," he says as he hands me his card. "If you need anything, call me."

He kisses Isabella and disappears back into his penthouse suite.

I squeal. Isabella and I jump up and down like schoolgirls.

Then we drive to my new apartment.

Janice is a plump woman in her fifties. She's waiting for us.

One thing I now know about Greg Colton is he's efficient.

Janice shows us in and hands me the keys. No paperwork. Weird.

The place is even better in person.

Everything brand new and recently renovated. Fenced and gated. Security system. Hardwood floors. Updated kitchen and bathroom.

But the best part is the little balcony that looks out over a courtyard with a fountain. It's tiny, but just big enough for one chair and my laptop.

God, I'm going to get a lot of writing done here!

Ha!

"Thank you, Iz," I say as I hug her.

"You're fucking welcome," she says.

We stay like that for a minute or so, just enjoying the empty space. My empty space.

Then we return to her car. Soon we're back in Damien's driveway to pick up my ancient Toyota Corolla that Jasmine had sent to the tire place.

Security buzzes us in, but my car isn't there. Just a shiny black one in the circular driveway.

A burly security guy in a dark jacket shows up out of nowhere. He holds a set of car keys in his hand.

"Annika Spenser?" he says.

"Yes," I say.

"Jack Doyle, Mr. Cage's head of security. He and Miss Ryder are in a meeting off premises but said you'd be by to pick up your car. Here are the keys."

He hands them to me and I take them.

"These aren't mine," I say. "And my car isn't here."

"That's your car," he says, gesturing to the shiny black car.

"No. No. I know my car. That's not my car."

"Mr. Cage said you might say that. So please don't be offended but he told me to say to you in these words 'Shut-up-and-take-the-fucking-car. It's-registered-in-your-name.' Then he said to walk away and wish you a good day. Please don't hold it against me. Mr. Cage pays me well so I do what he tells me. Nice to meet you, Miss Spenser. "

He walks off.

"I can't take this!" I say, calling after him as he disappears into the house through a side door.

I go over to the car. It's a 2014 Ford Fusion. I open the door and put the key in the ignition. The odometer reads 000042.

"It's fucking brand new!" I say.

"Honey, you're living in a new world," says Isabella. "You're movin' on up to the East Side."

"Huh?"

"The Jeffersons! Movin' on up. You know."

"Why am I the only person on earth who doesn't know who The Jeffersons are? And why did two people mention them to me within twenty-four hours? But more importantly, how can I accept a car from Damien? How can I accept a luxury apartment for pennies from Greg Fucking Colton? How the fuck do I tell my mom all this without her thinking I'm fucking all of Miami to get all this shit?"

"It's time, Annika," says Isabella. "You've got to figure out how to do it. And then do it."

"I know."

"Looks like Damien forgave you, by the way. Think you can rest easy about that."

"No shit, huh?"

We hug and say our goodbyes.

I get in my brand new car and start it up. I open the window and squeal again at Isabella as she gets in her Porsche. She pulls out and drives off.

Just before I pull out, I find the note I wrote to myself.

Shit, I totally forgot about that damned phone call.

I put the car in gear and drive home.

On the way home, I get caught in traffic again. But this time it's sheer pleasure in delightful air-conditioned comfort.





Chapter 31





I park as close to the next door neighbor's house as I can so my mom doesn't notice the new car.

My headache is back too. Two Advils are floating around in me but I need another full night's sleep to recover. Not just from yesterday but from all the excitement of getting my own place and a new car.

All in one day!

I'm seriously pinching myself.

I sneak into the house, crossing my fingers that my mom didn't notice the it. Just don't want to get into it with her right now. Morning will be better. After a fresh cup of coffee.