Chapter Twenty-Five

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

Archer stood at the kitchen island, taking it all in. The house was exactly like the ones he'd imagined himself growing up in when he was a kid. Colored door, fancy kitchen, more space than any one family really needed. Oh, and you couldn't forget the oasis in the backyard.

Yeah, it was everything his fantasy life had consisted of.

Not to mention, it was waaayyyy out of his price range.

"Do you think it'll work for you?" Spencer asked, staring out at the backyard, probably so he didn't have to make eye contact.

Smiling, Archer moved toward the real estate agent who'd jumped at the chance of a potential sale when Archer strolled into his office an hour ago, asking to look at this house specifically. Funny thing was, the guy was eager, yet Archer got the sneaking suspicion he was also on edge. He couldn't quite pinpoint what the problem was, but he was giving Spencer space. The same way Spencer was giving him space.

"It's big," Archer told him as he stopped behind Spencer, looking over his shoulder out the window.

"Almost six thousand square feet," Spencer noted, not looking back at him.

"I'm not sure I need somethin' quite this big."

"No?" Spencer turned, looking up at him. "I've got a few more places. They're smaller. Not all of them are in Coyote Ridge, but nearby."

Archer met his gaze and held it. "Are you scared of me?"

Spencer shook his head. "Should I be?"

Damn, it took effort not to lean in and kiss this man. He'd wanted to do it the first time he laid eyes on him and every encounter since. Not that there'd been many. In fact, there hadn't been nearly enough. That was why, as soon as Simon mentioned wanting to look at this particular house, Archer jumped at the chance to get some alone time with the guy.

Hence the reason he'd had Spencer bring him over here first.

"Definitely not," Archer whispered, licking his lips when he noticed Spencer's gaze sliding south toward his mouth. No, he didn't want Spencer scared of him. He wanted him eager and willing.

"You didn't have to pretend you were interested."

Archer flashed a grin. "I didn't pretend. I am most definitely interested." Just not in the house.

"Yeah? You just said it was too big for you."

"I did say that, didn't I?"

When Spencer backed up a step, Archer didn't follow. He turned his attention out the window, admiring the sparkling water of the pool. This place was an entertainer's dream, even if it did have a few too many bedrooms for Archer's taste. Five was pushing it when, at best, he could only ever imagine needing two, and that was in case his grandmother ever wanted to visit. He would like to give her a nice place to stay while she was there.

A knock sounded on the front door. A second later, Simon's voice echoed throughout, bouncing off the Travertine floors.

Spencer's gaze snapped to Archer. "Is that…?"

"Simon? Yeah. You should go talk to them." He smiled. "They really are interested in the house."

"What are we doin' here?" Violet's voice resounded through the space.

Violet's surprise made him smile. Evidently, Simon had pulled off getting her here without telling her why.

"I just want you to look. Give me your opinion."

"On what? Oh, hey, Spence. Can you tell me what's goin' on?"

Archer didn't interrupt, listening when Spencer greeted them and explained they were there to look at the house.

"Sorry for the ruse," Simon told Spencer. "It wasn't my idea. Seems Archer's got his own agenda."

Archer smiled when Spencer glanced back at him. Yeah. He was most definitely interested. Now, he simply needed to figure out how to approach the man without coming on too strong.

"Would you like a tour?" Spencer offered Simon and Violet.

"Yes?" Violet said, the question causing Simon to laugh.

"We would, yes. And just so you know, I'm pre-qualified. We're not lookin' to waste your time."

"Pre-qualified?" Violet asked, her gaze bouncing between them. "To buy … this ?"

"Details later," Spencer said, gesturing toward the kitchen. "Look first."

·····

Simon didn't get a chance to talk to Archer before Spencer was leading them through the house, offering up tidbits of information meant to pique their interest.

He could've told the man there was no need. Simon had every intention of buying the place. How could he not when the woman he loved had already mentioned that she would love to live there? Granted, he'd purposely set that up by looking at the house online and accidentally leaving his laptop open when Violet was nearby.

She'd thought he was kidding when he told her it would be the perfect house for them, something they could grow into one day. Her "Yeah, whatever. Maybe in my dreams." comment only made him more determined to snatch it up before it was gone. He'd heard from more than one person that real estate in town goes quickly, so he figured there was no reason to drag his feet. Although he saw nothing wrong with Violet's house, even she admitted it was a bit small for the two of them, plus her enormous cats.

"Five bedrooms," Spencer said as they walked up the curving staircase to the second floor. "All the bedrooms are spacious; however, there are two primary bedrooms—one on the main floor and one up here. The one on the main floor has doors that lead to the pool. Up here, there's a balcony."

"It's beautiful. I love the colors," Violet said, then glanced back at him. "What would you do with all this space?"

Simon chuckled. "You mean, what would we do with all this space."

"We?" Her eyes flashed with excitement.

"I'm only lookin' to buy it if you're lookin' to live with me."

Her smile was sweet. "Seriously?"

He nodded.

"Come on, kids," Spencer said. "There's a lot more to see before you get all mushy."

They continued through the upstairs, peeking into the bedrooms, all of which had en suite bathrooms. There was a game room and a media room. Plenty of space for Simon to set up his equipment and the privacy necessary to work when he needed to.

"I think you'll like the downstairs bedroom better," Spencer told Violet. "The bathroom's bigger. Enormous walk-in shower plus a jetted tub."

Simon felt like he was walking on a cloud, listening to Violet's soft gasps and sweet giggles.

"This is pretty nice, though," she told him.

"It is," Spencer agreed. "You could keep it as a guest room."

"Or Archer could take it," Violet said.

Simon was surprised by the suggestion. Mostly because he had intended to bring it up at some point. Not a permanent thing, but he figured Archer could stay here until he decided what he wanted to do next.

"There's far more space than we'll need," Violet said, as though she needed to justify her statement.

"And he could help with the mortgage," Simon said, using one of the many reasons he'd intended to use to sway her.

"True." Violet moved to the railing that overlooked the main living space below. "Archer, do you wanna move in with us?"

He appeared below, his grin wide. "I thought you'd never ask."

Violet canted her head. "Are you allergic to cats?"

"Nope."

"Good."

"What if he had said yes?" Spencer asked.

"I would've told him to stock up on antihistamine."

Simon met Archer's gaze and smiled when Violet spun around and followed Spencer into the game room.

Archer gave him a thumbs up.

It took another twenty minutes to check out the rest of the house, including every room downstairs, all of them earning an approving glance from Violet.

"I've saved the best for last," Spencer said, opening the back door and gesturing with a hand for them to go out first.

"I've always wanted a swimmin' pool," Violet said.

"It's heated," Spencer noted. "Plus, there's a hot tub if you're not lookin' to crank up the electric bill."

They walked the path around the pool.

"How big is the lot?" Violet inquired.

"Five acres." Spencer pointed toward the back of the lot. "See that orange flag out there?"

Simon squinted to see the small piece of plastic sticking up from the ground.

"That's the end of the property." He turned to look at Violet. "You could hold the next Walker reunion here."

"Yeah, no," Violet said with a choked laugh.

"Well, if you decide to or not, this is the outdoor living space." Spencer gestured to the large, covered area they stood in. "Full kitchen, fireplace, ceiling fans."

"This countertop is amazing," Violet said, trailing her fingers over the stained concrete as she walked around the raised bar toward the kitchen.

Simon followed, pretending to be interested in all the little details.

"There's even a dishwasher." She looked at Spencer. "Seriously? Who needs a dishwasher outside?"

"You do," he told her.

"Whatever. That's a little—oh. It looks like someone left this out here." Violet held up a small velvet box.

Spencer started forward, but Simon waved him off from behind Violet.

"Probably should call the homeowner and—"

Simon reached around Violet, taking the box from her hand.

Finally.

As she turned to face him, he went to one knee and opened the box.

·····

Violet was pretty sure her heart stopped beating for a moment.

This wasn't real, was it? It was a dream, one inspired by the pictures she saw on Simon's computer. He'd been looking at this house, so it made sense that her subconscious would work up a crazy scenario where she would get to live there.

Any minute now, she was going to wake up.

Simon's eyes lifted, meeting hers. She saw so much love that it choked her up even more.

Her eyes widened as she planted her hand flat on her chest. "What are you doin'?"

"Violet Jane Anderson," he said, forcing the words past the tightness in his throat. "I know you think nice guys don't stick around, but I'd like to be the one who does. For the rest of my life. Will you marry me?"

Violet tried not to let the tears fall, but her heart was too full. She instantly thought about the reactions in all those movies she'd seen. She had more than enough valid reasons for saying no, but not for a second did she consider anything except for an emphatic—

"Yes," she whispered, giggling. "Yes, I'll marry you."

Simon's expression shifted, that hint of fear disappearing, replaced by the heat she usually saw when they were in the bedroom. She watched as he slipped the diamond on her finger, the gem sparkling as she admired it.

He got to his feet, pulling her into him, and she went without hesitation.

"I love you," he whispered, his mouth sliding over hers.

"Me, too," she said, her head spinning. She was as giddy as she'd been that first night he came to her house. Maybe more.

Simon chuckled, pulling back.

"You don't have to buy a house just to ask me to marry you," she teased.

"I happen to like this house," he countered.

"Yeah? You saw it before today?"

He shook his head.

"Then how do you know? You hardly looked at anything."

"I didn't need to. As long as you love it, I will, too."

Swoon.

She really did love this house. It was even better than she thought it would be, and her standards were high.

"I'm not sure we can really afford this," she told him, trying to be serious.

"We can."

"Are you sure?"

"We could afford two."

Violet laughed. "That would be overkill."

"Remember that when Archer walks around in his underwear," he warned.

Violet's eyebrows bounced. "That sounds like a bonus."

Simon patted her ass gently. "I see a lot of spankings in your future."

"Promise?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Spencer cleared his throat, causing Violet to laugh as she turned to see her best friend standing beside Archer, both of them watching them unabashedly.

"What's a guy got to do to see the ring?" Spencer joked.

With a squeal of excitement, Violet hurried around the bar and showed off the ring.

Spencer hugged her tightly. "I'm so happy for you."

"Me, too."

He laughed as she'd expected he would.

When Spencer released her, Archer reached for her hand, lifting it, turning it this way and that. He looked over at Simon. "It could've been bigger."

"Fuck off," Simon said without heat, stepping up behind her.

"Kiddin'. It's perfect. Y'all are perfect.

Violet wasn't sure about that, but she was happy, and if she was being honest with herself, that was all that mattered.

Simon took her hand, twined their fingers. "What do you say we go grab some food and discuss the offer we want to make?"

"I could eat," Archer said.

Violet laughed. "Me, too."

"Spencer?" Simon asked.

"Me?" Her best friend looked between them.

Violet raised her eyebrows, urging him to agree.

"Okay. Sure."

Still holding her hand, Simon turned, leading the way toward the house.

"We're gonna have to get a table," Violet told him. "They both won't fit in the booth."

Simon barked a laugh. "Don't tell Archer that. He's always up for a good dare."

It took a second for Violet to get it, and then she had an image of Spencer sitting on Archer's lap. She couldn't stop the giggle that burst free.