"Yes, that one we already know," I sigh. Maybe this isn't going to work.

But he goes on. "I'd also like a modern kitchen with granite countertops. I'd like a room where we can entertain, maybe play pool, watch TV."

Wow. We might be making progress. I want those things too!! "I agree with you, Phillip. What else?"

"Three garages would be really nice, you know, in case we decide to get another car."

"You don't want to spend any money on a house, and now you want another car?!"

"Not now, but eventually, yes."

I decide not to start a fight.

I'm so amiable tonight. I don't know what's gotten into me.

"Okay, what else?"

"A big backyard and a hot tub, for sure. I miss how we used to sit in the hot tub and talk for hours."

I smile at him, remembering all those talks in college. How we would dream about our futures. "I miss the hot tub too, and you know how I like the water. I'd love it if we had a big bath tub." Things are going well, so I decide to push it just a bit. "I'd also love to have some kind of view."

"We cannot afford to live by Danny. I'm not an NFL quarterback, okay?"

"That's not what I meant, Phillip. I just don't want a backyard where my view is nothing but a tall wooden fence. That would drive me nuts! I get that you don't want to spend any money and have any fun."

"Do you have any idea what they spent on their house? Even with the raise I'm getting, I can't afford that."

"Yeah, I do. And the remodel too. I don't know why you're being so stubborn about this. Let's take what you're comfortable spending and pay the rest from my trust."

"I can't do that. That's your money and if something happened to us..."

"Phillip? What are you saying? Are you saying you don't think we're gonna work out?"

"Well if you don't stop bugging me about this, we might not work out. I have a good job. I don't need your handouts to buy my wife a house."

My mouth flops open. I quickly clamp it shut because I think we just got to the root of the problem.

I need to think more about the best way to approach this. I'm pretty sure some sex and a back rub isn't gonna work in this situation. Besides, I've been on the internet every day, and there's nothing for sale worth fighting over.

Might as well let him wear the pants for a little while longer.

Speaking of pants.

He's not wearing any, so I slide my hand between his legs, kiss his neck, say, "We'll work out just fine," and let him take control.

If it weren't for the promise of margaritas after, I don't think I could get through couple's counseling.

I've also come to hate these stupid blue checkered chairs.

I'm fantasizing about how I'm going to sneak in his office, steal them, and burn them. That way no other couple will ever have to sit in them again. I'm going to steal his records and invite all the other couples who've been tortured here. We'll stand around the chairs, have a big bonfire, and roast wienies that look like Pastor John.

Pastor John brings up the subject of money, which catches my attention. I realize that Lori might be right. Maybe we DO need counseling! Because Phillip definitely needs counseling in this area. He needs to learn the art of compromise!

Pastor hands us each a financial questionnaire.

After we write down our answers, he takes them from us.

Shit!

I didn't know he was gonna take them!! Last time, he didn't take them!!

Double shit!

I cringe as Pastor reads them back to us. "The first question asks what your spending habits are and if you agree on them. JJ, you said, I buy shoes. He buys beer and shit for his car, and we try to pretend it doesn't bother us. So yes, we agree. Oh shoot, I probably shouldn't say shit on a religious paper. Cross that out."

Phillip raises an eyebrow at me. I'm slightly mortified. I really wish I could read his mind because then I'd know if I'm in trouble for cussing or for what I said.

I whisper to Phillip. "I didn't know he was gonna read them! Last time, he didn't read them!"

Pastor continues. "Phillip said, This is probably an area we need to discuss. Especially since we need to buy a house soon. JJ is pretty conservative with her money, so it will work out well."

Awww. Phillip is so sweet, but he's so completely clueless. I've been conservative with my trust money, but the money I make at my job, not so much.

Like, not at all.

That's why I have so many shoes. An assassin would have no trouble profiling me. He'd look at my credit card statement and quickly find my weakness for shoes and drinks. I'd die holding a cocktail and a bag of shoes. Not a bad way to go, now that I think about it. Actually, scratch that.

I'd die never having worn the shoes.

That'd suck.

Phillip reaches over and holds my hand. I grin lovingly back at him.

Danny's not the only one who can suck up.

Pastor keeps going. "The next question asks if you have set any mutual long-term financial goals. JJ, you said, Uh, no, and Phillip said, I have quite a few long term goals for myself, but this is something we need to discuss. I'd say that's a good idea, Phillip."

Oh, sure. Phillip's the star student. If I would've known he was gonna read them, I would've tried harder.

"I think we can probably guess whether or not JJ has made a budget yet, but here's what your bride said, Phillip. If there's money in my account, I spend it. Does that count?"

Phillip chuckles. I guess at least I can make him laugh.

"Okay," I say. "I think we've heard enough. We haven't talked at all about money. In fact, we've been arguing about how much to spend on a house. Phillip won't negotiate. Couple's counseling has corrupted him. Now, he thinks he wears the pants in the family."

Phillip narrows his eyes at me. "I'm not negotiating because we can't afford what you want." He turns toward Pastor and says, "We'll figure it out. Thanks for making us aware that this could be an issue."

Pastor says, "It's definitely an issue. Money problems are one of the top reasons marriages fail. I think I'll let you go early today. Why don't you go home and discuss how to overcome this challenge."

He's letting us out early???? Taco Tuesday, here we come!!!

I sneak my phone out of my coat pocket, hide it under my leg, and text Joey.

Me:  The warden is letting us out early due to bad behavior! We'll be there soon!

"I agree," I say quickly. "We should go home and work on it right away."

As we're walking out to the car, Phillip says, "So we're going home to talk about our budget, huh?"

Ha!

"NO!!! We're going to the bar and getting you a few drinks. Then we'll go home and discuss it in bed."

"I thought we learned that sex doesn't resolve conflict."

I think about how my mom used to handle my stubborn dad and say sweetly, "Phillip, we don't have a conflict. I'll do whatever you think is best."

His head snaps toward me, and he looks at me with wide brown eyes. I think I just shocked him.

"Really?" he says. "You don't wanna argue about it?"

"Nope, I trust you. You set the budget, and we'll find a great house."

He looks confused. "Are you trying to trick me?"

"I don't think so," I say.

Even though I totally am. If he picks the wrong house, he'll feel guilty about it. He won't wanna feel guilty, plus, he'll want to please me, so I'm hoping this is like reverse psychology.