I change into a pair of nice jeans, forgoing the ones with ripped up holes like I usually wear. I find the nicest tank top I own and grab a cardigan because, let’s face it, I’m always cold. Easton seems to always have his air conditioning one notch above freezing. What I refuse to budge on are my white canvas sneakers. My feet can’t take anything that will kill them today. I’m in and back out of my house within ten minutes. From there, we’re off to the first house on Easton’s list.
“This is nice,” I tell him as we pull up to the house. It isn’t the one I expected to see first. He must have found a few last night after he dropped me off.
“It looked better in the pictures. I’m not sure I want to tackle what all this could entail.” Siding is hanging off the side of the house, the roof has clearly seen better days, and the yard is months overgrown.
“Maybe the inside is better,” I offer with a shrug of my shoulders. We get out and head up to the front steps.
“I highly doubt it. I’m beginning to think I got catfished from their website.” He has the access code to the front door, so he opens it up, and he’s right. It’s a train wreck. This place hasn’t been touched in decades.
“Hmm,” I mumble, before saying, “Does it at least have a view?” I follow Easton as he goes toward the back of the house. There isn’t a view, not even a window.
“Nope, I’ve seen enough. This will cost twice the amount of the place alone to get it where I want it to be.” He takes my hand in his, and we leave the house, going to the next on his list. This one is way too modern for his taste. We leave as quickly as we came.
I have to agree with him on the modern vibe; Easton seems to like the more laid-back appeal, even if he does rent a penthouse that costs a ridiculous amount of money a night.
The last place we stop at is the house I loved the most when we were looking last night.
“Oh, Easton.” I sigh out loud. I have no right to sway his opinion, but I can’t help it. This place is amazing.
“I know. It’s the one I have my heart set on, too.” He helps me out of the truck, and we take in every inch of the front yard then meander our way through the back yard. It has a built-in fire-pit with furniture set up, enough grass to have a couple of kids running around, and even enough room for a dog. There’s a small pathway to a covered dock, but no lift like Easton explained.
“I’m not sure that I care what the inside looks like at this point. The outside is what has me sold.” My voice is still in a state of awe. Easton comes up to me. His hand finds the nape of my neck, and our lips meet. The way Easton kisses me, it’s like he’s making love to my mouth, soft and sweet. I get lost in him every single time. When he pulls away, I’m yearning for more.
“Let’s go check on the inside, but if it’s anything like the outside, I’ll be making an offer today.” We walk toward the house, taking everything in. Once we go inside, we see the open floor plan, leading to a kitchen that’s a dream by anyone’s standard. The upstairs is just as amazing. Easton decides he’ll be making an offer as soon as we get back to the hotel. I can see him living here, and part of me can see myself living with him.
Chapter Eleven
Easton
One Week Later
It’s been a few days since I’ve seen Cam, and a lot has happened. The offer on the house I wanted went through, and I just closed on it after rushing the sale. I wanted Cam to be with me when it happened, but she’s been slammed with clinical after clinical this week. As much as it sucks not to see her, I know she’s needed to study. But today, I finally get to see her. I’m meeting her at her place when she gets out of school. The only thing is I’m early, and I’m not at all impressed with what I find when I get to her house.
“Son of a bitch,” I mutter as I take in her front door, which is standing wide open. I make sure I have my gun on me and call Slade for help before I go in.
“Yo,” he answers right away.
“I might need back up down here. I got to Cam’s place, and it’s trashed. I’m walking in now. Do you have anyone in Alabama?”