“Love,” he croaks out.
Bringing my arms up and around his neck, I pull him closer. “I’m so sorry, Cooke. I would’ve been here sooner.”
“No. It’s okay. I should’ve told you. I-I just wasn’t ready.”
“My poor baby,” I whisper softly, then kiss his cheek that’s covered with fuzzy hair. I’m not sure it’s the right thing to say, but it’s what my mom always said when we were hurt. It always comforted me. And from the sob that just came out of him, I’d say he needs to hear it too.
We stand in his doorway, holding each other for several minutes. When he pulls back, he’s still got his hands on my arms. He’s smiling. No, he’s beaming. “I can’t bloody believe you’re here, love.”
“Me neither.”
We stare at one another a little longer when it finally hits him. “My manners. Come in, come in.”
I turn to grab my suitcase, but he hops, one footed, over to it to pull it inside.
“No, you’re injured.”
“I’ve got it. But if you’d grab my stick, love.”
“I assume you mean your crutch. I’m going to have to get used to the language gap.”
“Aye.”
I scurry into the foyer of his house and wait for him to roll the large suitcase inside. Once he’s got it over the threshold, I take it from there. “Where should I park this?” I point to the luggage.
“My bedroom.” He gestures to the left. “Last door on the left.”
Turning around, I grab my suitcase and let my jaw drop. “Is that a pool?” It is. It’s a freaking indoor pool.
“Aye.”
“Not going to lie, Cooke. From the outside, this place looks like an ordinary house.” But inside, it’s all modern and streamlined, just like I pictured his home to look like.
“A hidden gem. It’s why I chose this one.”
“Wow.” I turn and look right at the kitchen. It’s white with marble countertops and extra-fancy appliances. It’s open to a very large living room with an entire wall of windows. That’s how I saw the pool.
“Follow me. I’ll show you to the bedroom.”
So I do, trailing behind him as he moves quickly on his crutch. “There are two full baths down here.” He points to one in the hallway. “That’s a guest bath.”
When he pushes a door open at the end of the hallway, I gasp. “You have got to be kidding me.”
“Swanky, yeah?”
“It is.” There’s a gigantic bed at the far end of the room. It’s got a canopy on top with soft white fabrics draping from the top down. It looks like it would be heaven to sleep beneath all that fluff. He’s got tables on either side of the bed, and two large dressers flank the bed on either side of the room.
“Here is the master bath.”
My eye follows the direction he’s pointing. Stepping into the bathroom, I want to choke. It’s massive, with a tub big enough for two people and a shower big enough for four. “This is amazing, Cooke.”
His reply is soft, almost shy. “I’m glad you like it.”
He clears his throat and continues the tour. “There’s a master closet through that door there.” He points to the far end of the bathroom. “Be warned. I’ve got a bit of laundry backed up. I usually just toss it there.”
Since I’m a snoop, I step closer to the door and open it. “Shut. Up!” I shout. “This is bigger than my bedroom.” And he’s right. Clothes are strewn about on the floor and hanging from hooks.
“So, you like it?”
