Me:You fucking wish.
Issac:Fine, I’ll take the sofa.
Me:No sofa.There’ll be a spare room.Relax.
I can practically hear his smug grin through the phone.Isaac’s never needed an invitation to make himself at home.
Issac:Good, let me know when I need to put in for vacation time.
Chapter 31
Adrian
Thenextmorning,Keithand I pull up next to the realtor at the first house, which is close to town, tucked among other homes with barely a stretch of greenery between them.Too little house, not enough space.As I step inside, the dated interior confirms what I already felt: I don’t want to be this close to town.After living in the city, I need space to breathe.But also, the walls are a dull beige, the carpet worn in spots, and though the layout isn’t bad, it feels cramped.This isn’t it.And if I needed further confirmation, when I head out the back, I step in something squishy.I look down.
Fuck’s sake.
I snap a photo and send it to Amelia.
Me:House one, fail.
“Yeah, not the one,” I mutter, turning back toward the door before Keith can even ask.
Amelia:A shitty one, literally.LOL!
I clean up as the realtor locks up behind us, already pulling out her keys for the next property.
We move on to the second house, a little farther out.The drive here is better, less traffic, more open sky.The house itself is more modern, with clean lines and a fresh coat of paint.The yard is a good size—there’s even a small outdoor living area with a covered patio that could be something special with a little work.
“This one has potential,” I say, stepping onto the patio.I can actually picture myself here, having people over, grilling on weekends.
Keith leans against the doorframe, arms crossed.“What’s missing?”
I exhale, taking in the space.“It doesn’t have that feeling.You know, the one where you walk in and just… know.”
Keith nods.“Like my place.”
I laugh.“Exactly.Sitting on your back deck, looking out.This one could work too, but I’d have to build that outdoor space.”
Keith doesn’t argue.He knows as well as I do that buying a house isn’t just about practicality.It’s about feeling like you belong there.We head to the last house, the one farthest out.The drive is different this time—long, winding, the smooth feel of asphalt stretching out ahead, lined with trees.I can already picture it… trading in the Mercedes-Benz for a truck, rolling up this driveway, dust kicking up behind me.
As we pull up, the house comes into view.A brick structure with a pitched roof and double timber doors that look like they’ve weathered decades of seasons yet still stand strong.The property is wide and open, filled with greenery, bare branches from the winter, not overly landscaped with flower beds or trimmed bushes.Trees sway in the light breeze, and I suddenly feel something shift inside me.
This is the one.
I take the steps up to the front door with Keith, the wood solid beneath my feet.The realtor opens the door, and I marvel at the interior.Inside, the polished wooden floors gleam under the soft afternoon light.The walls are painted in warm tones, giving the place a lived-in feel without feeling outdated.It needs a few minor updates, but nothing major.Nothing that would make me hesitate, only things that would make this house feel more like a home.
“One more bedroom than the last one,” Keith points out as we move through the space.“Something to think about.”
I nod, running my fingers over the doorframe of one of the rooms.If I ever had kids, would this work?The thought flickers through my mind, unexpected but not unwelcome.I never really considered kids until Amelia.I want is this.A home, not just a house.
“Four bedrooms is better,” I say finally.“One for me, one could be an office, and then two for guests if they ever need to crash.”
Keith hums in agreement.“Makes sense.”
The living room is my favorite part.A big fireplace, the kind that makes winter something to look forward to.I can already see it: carrying wood in the back of my truck, stacking it neatly outside.The kitchen is simple and practical—nothing fancy—but I don’t need luxury.And then there’s the deck.
I step outside onto the wooden planks overlooking the backyard.In front of me, a view of greenery, endless trees, and distant mountains.No buildings crammed together, no city skyline peeking over the treetops.Just quiet, open space.
