“Yup.”
“It’s yours, isn’t it?”
“Yup.”
She tears her gaze away from the front door to glare at me. “I am not living with you. Not now and not ever!”
6
Pepper
How did I get in here? Abel stands holding my laundry basket in the entryway of his home. Right. I need to use the bathroom. I’ll do that real quick and then I’m out of here.
“You can just put that back in the truck.” I point at my basket. “This will be quick. I won’t need anything out of there since I only came in to use the bathroom.” If I keep telling him, then maybe he’ll finally get the fact that I’m not planning on staying. Instead of returning my basket to the car, he kicks the door shut and sets it down on a chair. “Whatever. Where’s the bathroom?”
“This way.” I try not to look around the ridiculously wonderful house. This is one of those dream homes out of one of those town and country magazines. I thought the outside was stunning with that wraparound porch. The one that made me momentarily daydream sitting on it with a good book while sipping some lemonade. But the exterior had nothing on the interior of this gorgeous home.
“You live here alone?” I itch to open some of the doors as we move down the long hallway.
“Yeah, for now.”
“No kids? I bet kids would love that backyard. There is so much room.”
“There is. I could put in a pool or swing set. There is also a giant oak out there I think I could hang a swing on.” He stops walking and I almost run right into him.
“This is a lot of house for one person.”
“Room to grow.” He turns back around, opening the double doors at the end of the hallway. I follow him into the master bedroom.
“Oh my.” Two of the walls are covered in glass. The sun pours into the room onto the bed. “I would ask how you get dressed in here but I guess no one is around so it doesn’t matter.” I walk over to the window, looking out into the backyard and seeing the tree he was talking about. It is perfect for a swing. He flips some switch and the glass blacks out. The whole room goes pitch black before he flips it back on again. This house really does have everything.
“Bathroom is there.” He points to another door.
“Thanks.”
Abel sits down on the bed, watching me as I head into the bathroom. “Are you serious right now?” I turn around and gawk at him. That has to be the most stunning bathroom I’ve ever seen. It’s a girl’s dream. “Wait. Are you sure you’re not married? Maybe divorced?”
“I don’t believe in divorce.”
“I wish more people were like that. Many just give up.”
“You fight for what you want and then you keep fighting to make sure it’s always yours.” He sends me a heated look. Now I’m talking about marriage with him. I dart into the bathroom and slam the door. I hear Abel chuckle.
“Wait. Are these floors heated?”
“They are. All the floors are. Can’t have your toes getting cold in the winter.” I run my hand across the sink, but my eyes never leave the giant tub. I bet it could fit four people. Or a bunch of little ones. I shake the stupid thought and use the bathroom. I need to get out of this place. It’s messing with my head. It’s too pretty and out of my league or comfort level.
When I come back out Abel is still sitting there waiting for me. “Do you want a tour?”
“No.” I lie. “But I think as a designer I should have a look around.”
“Of course. You’re welcome anywhere. Nothing is off limits.” I follow him back out of the bedroom as he leads me through the house.
“This is all really amazing.”
“I think in my line of work it’s expected for my house to be. No?”
“True.” I stand at the kitchen island that’s a chef’s dream kitchen. You could easily cater a small party here. “You don’t have many personal touches to it,” I point out. While it’s breathtaking, nothing hangs on the walls. There isn’t much furniture either. It doesn’t give you that warm and fuzzy feeling that a home should.
“Nope.”
“You like things simple?”
“I wouldn’t say that. I can build of course, but I know shit about decorating, and this is a family home so I’m just waiting.”
“Waiting for what?”
“My wife.”
I stare at him. Did he really just say that? “Then don’t you think I really shouldn’t stay here? Maybe this wife you get won’t like that you had other women in your forever home?” I know I wouldn’t.
“Probably not. Besides my sister and mom, you’re the only one who’s been here that’s a woman.”
“See? Then I really shouldn’t stay here.”