He wanted to take her face in his hands and make out with her. Instead, he led her to the one-story side of his house. While she was distracted, looking at the surroundings, he studied her gentle profile. Her opinion of his place meant something to him. It felt as if he was watching her open a gift he’d given her.
“It’s fabulous the way the ceiling’s vaulted and supported with all those beams,” she said. “And I like how this whole area is just one open space. Kitchen, dining room, sitting area.”
“This is the part of the house I use the least.”
“Oh?”
“If I were married or had a family, it would probably be the part of the house I’d use the most. As it is, I’m usually here alone. I don’t have much use for a dining room table or a sitting area.”
“What about the kitchen? Do you cook?”
“Not really. You?”
“Not really.” They made their way to the two-story wing.
Downstairs, he showed her the half bath and the den where he watched TV. Upstairs, they walked through the guest bedroom, connecting bathroom, and the room that served as his office. Then they stepped into his master bedroom, which thankfully, he kept clean.
He wouldn’t have thought twice about showing anyone else his bedroom. But this wasLeah. The fact that he was showingherhis bedroom made this seem intimate. Irrational things he’d never say out loud crammed into his head.Marry me. Sleep here with me. Live here withme.
They reached the landing at the top of the stairs. “I love your house,” she told him. “You and the architect who was glad to get rid of you did an excellent job.”
Their eyes held. For a split second his brain blanked, and he couldn’t find words. “Have ... have you learned anything new about Jonathan and Trina Brookside since I saw you last?”
“Not much. I visited the house where they lived twenty-eight years ago and found pictures of Trina and Sophie online.”
He wanted to say,“Please let me know how I can help.”But he only let himself nod.
He heard the back door open.
Ben, no doubt. He needed to give his friend warning. “Look who was walking down my street,” Sebastian called as he and Leah made their way downstairs.
Right when they reached the foyer, Ben came into view. He hesitated for only a moment before a grin broke across his face. “Leah! Great to see you.”
“You too,” she answered, hugging him.
They stepped apart. “I didn’t think I’d get to see you until Wednesday,” Ben said.
“Same.”
Sebastian’s gut knotted. Ben filled Sebastian in on a lot of aspects of his life, but he no longer spoke about Leah. Until Leah had mentioned her date with Ben earlier, he hadn’t known about it.
“How was your trip?” Ben asked.
While she described a few of the highlights, she pulled out her phone to find some photos to share.
Ben took the opportunity to send Sebastian a look that said,What are you doing with my girl?
When Leah returned her phone to her arm band, Ben’s friendly expression snapped back into place.
“Would you like something to drink?” Sebastian asked.
“Water would be great.”
In his kitchen, he surveyed his pantry. “What about something to eat? I’ve got crackers, sunflower seeds, protein powder, collagen.” He considered the contents of his fridge. “Greek yogurt, leftover chicken and rice, olive tapenade.” He motioned to the bowl on the counter. “Clementines, bananas, sweet potato.”
“Collagen and sweet potato, please.” Leah spoke from her position across the island next to Ben.
Ben bent at the waist, chuckling.
