54. Chapter Fifty-Three

Chapter Fifty-Three

It's been a week since Sev and I last saw or spoke to one another. He hasn't texted or called. Neither have I. It's a good thing, in my opinion. It's giving me time to clearly think about not only him and I, but me and what I need to work on. Who I want to be. Where I want my life to go. Some days I'm confused as hell and go to bed with no answers. Other days I fall asleep with a clear goal in mind.

Today, I'm not worrying about Sev and I though. Not worrying about my problems. Today, I'm going to look at houses with Reese, and I plan to make a cash offer to the one I like the best so I can get this move over with. Being here has made me realize how much I enjoy it. I don't feel as good as I do when I'm with Sev, but I feel good being around these people. I'm lighter, less stressed. It's relieving. Reese and Josie are great. They have sex way too much and way too loudly, but they're newlyweds. So I shove in my ear buds and ignore them when they go at it. The memories I have of walking in on them aren't so hard to ignore. Especially the one of Reese railing Josie from behind over the kitchen counter, where I make my food. I appreciate them letting me stay here, but I need my own place. For all our sake.

Ori and Ezra are great to hang out with too. And their kids are cool as shit. I held a baby for the first time. Seriously. I've never held a baby before I held her son Oliver, and I swear that kid and I have a bond now. He's adorable. Still so tiny. I was terrified I'd break him. But the moment he held onto my finger with his tiny hand, and I saw how small his fingers were, something inside me softened. It was weird as hell.

Ori mentioned they needed help at the bookstore. They seem to run into problem after problem with the renovations. I'm no contractor, but I know a thing or two and offered to help because it'll keep me busy.

I like being around all of them. I'm happy with my decision to come here. Shitty I left the way I did, and things are the way they are with Sev, but maybe this all needed to happen. Once I figure out things with Sev, I think I'll be in a good place. I just need more time. Hopefully by then it won't be too late.

"How many more houses are we looking at?" Reese asks with a groan. "We've seen at least twenty already."

"That was the fifth one. Why are you so dramatic?"

His response is a louder and longer groan. I turn up the radio so much the car shakes. Reese glares at me and lowers it.

"Where is the next one?" he asks.

I point to my phone that's in the holder. We're in his car, but he got sick of driving after the first house, so I took over.

"It's already in the GPS, and it's the last one. So stop whining."

Ten minutes later we're pulling up to the house. A warm feeling settles over me when I step out of the car and look at it. From out here, it looks perfect. Something about it just looks right.

The outside isn't too flashy or too cozy. It's modern with a two-car garage, long driveway, and manicured front lawn. From the photos, there should be a pool in the back with a large patio and small yard. Perfect for a dog, if I decide to go with that instead of a hamster.

Reese and I walk up the driveway and a plump woman in a red skirt suit hurries out the front door. She holds her arms out wide, grinning.

"Welcome!"

"You must be Gretchen?" I offer her my hand.

"That's me. You're Justin?" I nod.

"And this is my cousin, Reese."

"It's nice to meet you both." She and Reese share a quick handshake, then she turns to head inside. "I really think you're going to love this place. I know you mentioned it was just you, and the man who is selling it was here alone too. About the same age as you, so I imagine you'll like it."

We step into a large open space. The kitchen and dining room are against the far back wall, with a sliding glass door that leads to the patio. I can just about make out the in-ground pool from here. To the right, as soon as you walk in, is a bright living room with hardwood floors and white paint. It's decorated minimally, just the way I like. With a lot of grey and white furniture. Not that any of it would stay, but it's nice to get a visual.

"As you can see this is the living room, kitchen, and dining room. It's wide open and all the windows allow plenty of light in." She moves toward the kitchen area. "Mr. Antonio, the man who owns the house, was considering putting an island in right here to break up the kitchen and living room a little more but decided against it. At least it's an option, if you choose to do so."

She gestures to a door on the left just before the floor changes from hardwood to tile, designating the kitchen. She opens it and flicks on the light.

"Here is guest room number one. There is a half bathroom attached." We head inside. "It could also be an office or library."

We leave the room and head back toward the front door where there is a short hallway to the left that opens up into a large room. "This is currently an office, but the previous owners had this set up as a game room. There are so many options. This is also where you will find the downstairs full bathroom and the laundry room." She gestures toward the back wall, toward two doors, and we peek inside. They're both bigger than I expected. Both all white and modern.

We make our way upstairs. Gretchen explains each room that we go into. There's a sunroom that leads to a deck that looks over the back yard, a smaller guest room, another bathroom, another living room, and the master bedroom up here. Everything is spacious, but the master bedroom is huge, with the attached bathroom the size of my bedroom now. It's more than I need, but I love the design. It's done in all blacks and greys, matching the bedroom.

When we're done, we make our way back downstairs.

"We have a few more showings tomorrow," Gretchen says.

"Remind me of the asking price?" I say.

"He is looking for $600,000."

I gesture to her. "Call him right now and tell him I'll give him $750,000 today."

Her eyes widen and she sputters out inaudible words before finally saying, "That's well over asking price."

"What can I say? I love this house." I look around again, and it all just feels right. I can see myself living here. It's spacious but far enough away from other neighbors that I won't feel claustrophobic. It has everything I could ask for. More than I need, but it'll be nice to have the extra space. I can set up an in-home gym, have an office area, plus a spare bedroom. It's just perfect. I don't want to let it out.

"O-okay," she says, holding up a trembling finger. "Give me just a moment."

She goes to the kitchen to get her purse from the counter and pulls her phone from it, then steps out onto the back.

"You think it's worth it?" Reese asks, looking around. "It's not very big."

I roll my eyes. He would say that. "Not everyone needs a castle. This is more than I need and much more than I'm used to." I glance around. "Besides, it feels right."

"That's all that matters," Reese answers, taking another peek into the guestroom. "At least there's a bed for me when I piss Josie off."

"Oh, are you planning on doing that?"

"Of course not, but it happens."

Gretchen comes back in with a smile on her face and looking much more put together. "Mr. Antonio said as long as everything clears, he can be out within two weeks."

I hold out my hand to shake on the deal. She smiles up at me and takes my hand.