Free Skin Like Dawn by Jade Alyse

turned to her and extended his left hand. 
    “Please, call me Brandon,” he replied cordially.  “And this is my wife, Natalie…” 
    “It’s a pleasure to meet you both,” she said.  “I’m Addison Shepherd.  I handle all of Mr. Neeson’s paperwork for new tenants. Pardon me for being forward, but you’re a gorgeous couple.”
    “Thank you,” Natalie replied.  “He’s good-looking for the both of us…”
    Brandon nudged her with embarrassment.  “We’re ready to get started whenever you are.  I know my wife is anxious to see the house.  She was a little scared of the paintjob you showed us in the pictures online…” 
    She shyly murmured “Brandy”, and he wrapped his arm around her instinctively.  
    “Not to worry, Mrs. Greene,” Addison said, taking a seat at her desk again.  “I personally looked at it myself.  The shades of green and pale blue look amazing with the refinished hardwood floors.  And at a great bargain.  Please, have a seat.  I have the lease ready for you.” 
    This is where Brandon shined.  They sat down together, and she reflexively placed her hand on his upper thigh, squeezing gently for support.  Contracts or other binding documents were no match for his intrinsic eye.  They’d already spent a number of hours pouring over houses and rental rates, assured in the idea that they both knew what they wanted and what they expected.  
    They most certainly didn’t want a house with a huge yard.  There was no need.  And with a new baby on the way, Natalie wanted him in the house more than she wanted him outside, making sure the lawn was tidy every weekend.  An a fancy John Deere lawnmower was an unnecessary expense, and her husband admittedly felt older just at the idea of owning something like that. 
    “Yes, I’m going to be a father,” he’d said.  “But I don’t want to be my father…”
    Understood.
    They also didn’t want too many stairs in the house – blame Natalie’s paranoia.  As clumsy as she was, she couldn’t imagine falling down the stairs and putting her baby at risk – whomever he or she was growing inside of her.  
    She also didn’t want to live too close to the city.  Sure Brandon’s commute would be a little longer, but with all the smog and other miscellaneous pollution problems the west coast dealt with year-round, she didn’t want to contract some rare airborne abnormality that she couldn’t shake and could consequently pass onto the baby.  
    But she was a fucking med school dropout, what did she know?  
    “So, as I understand it, Mr. Greene,” Addison continued.  “You want to end your lease in two years?” 
    “That’s correct,” Brandon replied, glancing at Natalie momentarily.  She smiled reassuringly.  
    “My wife and I, depending on the situation at that time,” he continued.  “Want to explore the option of purchasing a house in the area…should we decide to stay here…”
    “Excellent! Where are you two originally from?”
    “I’m from upstate New York and she’s from Georgia…”
    “Yes,” Natalie smiled.  “We are the complete cross-cultural experience…”
    Addison giggled, then glanced at her husband.  She noticed something, but decided not to remark on it.  
    “Portland is a very welcoming community and your neighborhood is quite progressive,” Addison said, fumbling through a small stack of papers in front of her.  “I hope that you decide to make Oregon your staple.”
    She glanced at her husband again. 
    Brandon grinned.  “We’ll definitely consider it, Ms. Shepherd.”
    “Addison, please,” she replied.  “Now, I know that we discussed it over email, but I just wanted to make sure now that I’ve met you.  Brandon you will be starting at Kemp & Beal next week, isn’t that correct?” 
    Brandon nodded slowly.  “Yes.” 
    “Great.  And did you fax over a copy of your offer letter?” 
    “I forgot, my apologies.  I’ll do that as soon as we get