Chapter 27

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

ZAIN

Fourteen Years Ago

"Congratulations, Zain. You're now the official owner of Raven's Hall." My realtor hands me the keys, with a wide smile. "Will your … friends be moving in with you?"

I smile in return, but don't reply. Pocketing the keys, I pick up the paperwork and thumb through it once more, ensuring I haven't missed anything.

"Will you be selling the other house? It's in a prime location, and I know quite a few people who would love to make you an offer. I'm positive I could sell it quickly."

"No, it's not for sale." I slide the papers into an envelope and look at my dad. "I think we're all done?"

He nods.

"Thank you, Caroline." He holds out his hand to the realtor, and steps in front of me, giving me the opportunity to slip away while he distracts her attention away from me.

I asked him to come along today because the last few times I've met up with her, she's made it abundantly clear that she'd like to take our realtor/client relationship to a new level. One that includes getting naked in the nearest bed. In fact, I'm pretty sure if I showed interest, the bed would be optional. To save on the potential fallout of me turning her down, I brought my dad as a buffer.

Passing through the kitchen, my gaze lands on the table. Caroline has pulled out all the stops. Six place settings have been laid out around the table to show its size, little gold rings holding the royal purple napkins in neat rolls. Each plate has a matching purple pattern round the edges, and the silverware all has purple handles.

That will have to change. There won't be six people living here, and I'm not really someone who hosts dinners for all my friends.

I snort quietly, striding through the house toward the entrance hall.

All my friends.

I've never been one to have a large group of friends. I like my own company too much. But two people found their way through that. They gave me something I didn't even know I needed. Something I didn't know I was looking for.

And my relationship with them both has been the talk of the town for around a year, with theories and rumors of what goes on between us. I don't think I've heard a single one that actually comes close to the reality of the situation.

Not that it's anyone's concern but ours.

I take one last walk around the house. My house. Sure, I already own a house, but that's going to change soon.

I pat the papers tucked away in the inside pocket of my jacket, and feel a surge of satisfaction at the thought of how they'll react when I hand them over. I can't wait to get back to the house I share with them and give them the news .

Once I'm outside, I walk over to where I parked my car and get inside. I have some errands to run before I go home. Jason and Louisa won't be back for a couple of hours, anyway. They've gone into the city, where people are less likely to see what they're doing and spread gossip before they're ready to share.

My plan for the rest of the day is to go grocery shopping, then head over to my parents' house and work on the Mustang for a couple of hours. After that, I'll head back home to prepare dinner. It's my turn to cook, and even though I'm moving out tomorrow, I'm still going to keep to our regular routine for tonight.

I reverse across the gravel, then spin the wheel so I can make my way down the drive. I can't help but glance over my shoulder at the house one last time before it's blocked from view by the trees.

My first stop is the grocery store, where I pick up everything I need for a bolognese. I also grab a cheesecake for dessert, because it's Louisa's favorite. I manage to get out without answering any questions from the cashier, and I'm at my parents' house ten minutes later, where I spend an hour or two working on the Mustang.

The sun has set by the time I leave the house, and instead of going home, I take a detour down to the beach. I need some time to myself before I go home.

I love my friends, and I love sharing my life with them, but sometimes I just need quiet, space, and time to myself.

I'm okay with how things have changed over the past couple of months. I'm happy, even. Happier than I should be, maybe. Also, if I'm being honest with myself, relieved with how things are going .

Once I go back to the house, once I hand over the papers in my pocket, that makes everything even more real.

And there's no coming back from that.

I'm not going to lie, I'm really excited to see what the future is going to bring. But I'm also a little bit scared by it.