“Around two hundred and eighty, in dollars. Two-thirty in pounds sterling,” I said, embarrassingly, not telling them about my yearly bonus.
“Damn, Tom!” Chrissie laughed, her hand covering her mouth.
Emily laughed at Chrissie’s outburst, probably more out of uneasiness, though.
There was silence in the room. I had nothing more to say at this point, so I stayed quiet, revelling in their discomfort.
“I told you he was rich, Em!” Chrissie finally said, her laughter infectious.
“I’ve applied for a mortgage, though. It’ll be cheaper than using my savings,” I said, trying to deflect my discomfort at this meeting!
“So, what you’re saying that you could afford it WITHOUT a mortgage?” Chrissie asked.
“Fuck, Chrissie. I said I could come up with the rest, all right? Do we need to get into the finer points?” I asked, hoping this would be the end of this discussion. Me and my great ideas, eh? “I’d appreciate it if we don’t talk about this again? Thank you both.” I said, hoping they’d spare me in the future.
“Anything else?” I said, trying to change the subject.
“Can you give Em and I a week or so, to figure this out, darling?” she asked.
“Fine. I’ll let you two bring it up next time, okay?” I said, glad this was over.
“He’s so fucking adorable when he blushes, isn’t he, Chrissie?” Emily laughed.
“Fuck off, Emily!” I said, half-smiling.
“Ooooo,” she retorted, still laughing.
“I’m going to bed to read. See you in a while,” I said, needing to get away from them. I kissed them both on the head curtly, and walked to the hallway.
I left with their laughter ringing in my ears. I changed and slipped into the right-hand side of the bed, not wanting to be in the middle of these two tonight. They tiptoed in twenty minutes later, still fucking giggling. I put my book down, pulled the sheet over me, and fell to sleep.
I felt Chrissie’s arm over my side. “Night, darling,” she whispered.
“Night, darling,” Emily sighed. “And thank you for everything, Tom.”