Chapter 48.

I decided it was premature to share my tentative plans with Jess. Instead, I took advantage of her good mood and made love to her before dinner.

Afterwards she said, "That was the crowning touch to a red-letter day!"

"Happy I could oblige," I said.

"And just for that, I think I'm going to make you Jess' spaghetti pie for dinner."

I'd never heard of spaghetti pie, but the name conjured up all sorts of delicious thoughts. "Sounds good."

"It is. Wait until you taste it!"

She slipped out of bed, and pulled on her robe with nothing underneath. She seemed so comfortable doing it, that I wondered for the first time how many other relationships she'd had before. Not that it mattered. She was with me now, right? I pushed the thought to a dark corner of my brain.

While Jess padded to the kitchen in her bare feet, I took the opportunity to go to the bathroom. Like Jess, I was wearing a robe and nothing else when I joined her finally in the kitchen. She was already busy putting together a concoction I never would have thought of, but that turned out to be delicious.

The next morning as we ate breakfast together, I found Jess studying my face. "What's wrong?" she finally asked, putting her fork down.

"Nothing," I insisted.

"Oh, don't give me that, House! You've been even quieter than usual. You didn't even comment on your omelet."

It was true that I'd made several comments about her spaghetti pie, not all of them complimentary, but somehow she knew that I'd enjoyed it. Maybe it was the three portions I ate. The omelet was just as good, full of tomatoes, onions and cheese and covered with a spicy chile sauce. But I couldn't tell her that I was rethinking our plan to focus everyone on a possible romance between her and Wilson. And I'd already completely dismissed the idea of moving to a house, even a condo, out in the 'burbs. It just wasn't me.

"Does it have something to do with our plan?" Jess asked, cutting through my thoughts. "Because, frankly, I'm feeling uncomfortable leading Wilson on."

I wasn't surprised that she'd think about how hurt he might be when she turned him down. Inwardly, I was pleased she was thinking this way. Let her call the plan off. Still, I said, "He'll live through it."

"Maybe," she said, then went back to eating. "Did you want more?"

I looked at my plate, surprised to see it scraped clean. I must have been hungry. "Finish yours first."

She quickly ate the remainder of her omelet and went back to the stove to make me another. "I think I'm going to tell him that there's someone else," she called to me.

"Someone else?" What was she talking about.

"We can throw people off with a mysterious man just as easily as with Wilson," she elaborated. "And I'd feel better about it."

I would too, but I couldn't say so. It was my idea, wasn't it, and I couldn't admit I was wrong.

"OK," I said as she brought me another plate of eggs.

"Greg, do you know whether there are any larger apartments in this building?" She was ready to change the subject. Her question wasn't an option I'd considered. Maybe that was the answer after all.

"I don't think there are any vacant," I said, concentrating on my food so she wouldn't see the look in my eyes. "I can find out."

"This area is very convenient to the hospital, but I think you'll agreed. We need more space." So she'd been thinking along those lines, too. I knew I should have talked to her about what I'd been investigating.

I cleared my throat. "I was looking online yesterday for nearby condos and lofts, ones with two bedrooms and larger kitchens."

The astonishment on her face was quickly replaced by a grin.

"Not so fast!" I held up a hand. "I couldn't find anything that met my requirements."

"Oh." The grin turned upside down.

"And then I went to look at a subdivision about ten miles out in the country, a mix of single-family houses and condo units."

This time she waited for the punchline.

"Can you picture me in suburbia, with an SUV, a dog and a white picket fence?" I asked. "Metaphorically, even?"

Jess shook her head. "You're an urban kind of guy. And frankly, I never thought the suburban life was right for me, either."

"Well, then, maybe you have an answer?"

"I guess if there's nothing in this building, and your search didn't show any nearby, we'll have to wait until something opens up."

"And what do we do meanwhile? It's cozy here, but even I'll admit that we need more space. I'd hate to have to talk to Bonnie about it."

"Who's Bonnie?"

"Wilson's wife number two. She's probably the worst real estate agent in this part of New Jersey, but she'd know if there is anything available."

"So you're going to call her?" Jess asked.

I sighed. "I think I'll have to. I just can't let on to her why I want a larger place."

"Because she'll go running to Wilson?"

"Maybe. As long as it's a possibility..."

"House, how long do you want to keep us a secret?"

The truth was that I liked to know things that other people didn't know. This would be the granddaddy of secrets to keep. And I especially didn't want to have to listen to what Wilson and my team would say if they knew about me and Jess. "As long as possible."

"OK. However you want to play it, I'll go along. And meanwhile, I'll have to work out what I'm going to tell everyone about my mysterious boyfriend." She looked at her watch. Right now I have to get going! Will you be here when the furniture arrives from the closet place?"

"They said they'd deliver it between nine and eleven this morning. I guess that gives me a great excuse for going into the hospital even later than usual."

"Well, I'll see you later." She kissed me on the lips, a noisy smack that made me smile. "Sorry I have to leave you with the breakfast dishes."

I had no intention of doing the dishes. Instead, I piled them with the frying pan in the sink. While I waited for the furniture delivery, I checked for Bonnie's number and called her.

"What game are you playing with me now, House?" she answered.

"You're sounding more and more like Wilson every day," I replied. "And this is a legitimate call."

"Yeah?"

"Do you know of any available largish condos within ten miles of the hospital? Something with a decent sized kitchen and large master bedroom?"

"The last time you came to me about a new place, it was a scam," Bonnie reminded me. "You really wanted to pump me for information about James."

"Yeah, well this time I'm really looking for a larger place. This one's beginning to feel way too small."

"I'll look around for you," she replied. "But if this is some kind of game..." I don't think she knew what to threaten me with, so she left it at that.

I thought about asking her to keep my search from Wilson, but I knew that would only motivate her to ask him what I was up to.

"How about apartments?" she asked, so she was taking me seriously.

"I'd prefer a condo for the tax deductions, but I'd consider an apartment."

"It might take me a couple of days to find you some possibilities," she warned. "I'll get back to you."

"Great."