Was Marcus serious? “I’m doing it as a surprise for him. I’m sure he’ll be thrilled. I know Tyler has concerns over money, but Sam and I don’t have that issue.”
“I don’t know, Zach. Much as I hate to say this, Marcus may be right. Buying a house is a big step, and usually people do that together, like Nick and I did.”
Neither of his friends understood what he wanted to do. “But Sam loves the beach, and even though we planned on looking this summer, once he sees the house and knows that its ours, he won’t care. After I leave here I’m meeting a real estate agent, and we’re going to go look at a few houses.”
Zach didn’t miss the doubtful exchange of glances between Marcus and Julian, but he chose to ignore them and finished his breakfast. He was the fiancé and knew Sam best. What better way to show Sam how much he loved him than to buy him what he wanted the most?
They settled the check and made plans for a full get-together sometime over the weekend at either Marcus’s or Julian’s apartment. That reminded Zach about how small Sam’s apartment was, and he made a note to talk to the real estate agent about condos.
Julian had to leave in a hurry to make an appointment with a buyer, so after a quick farewell hug, he raced out to hail a cab. Marcus, though, seemed in no rush and dawdled with his coffee cup.
“You’re making a big mistake to do this without Sam’s input. If you ask me—”
“But I didn’t.” Zach’s temper snapped. “You’re acting like we’re kids again, but I’m not that person any longer; I’ve grown up.”
“Even grown-ups make mistakes,” said Marcus softly.
“I’m not.” He set his jaw. “I don’t need your protection.”
After staring at him hard for a moment, Marcus shrugged. “Okay. I hope it works out and you find the house you always wanted.”
“Thanks.” As they walked to the front of the restaurant, zipping up their jackets and dodging harried waiters, Zach remembered a question he had for Marcus. “Do you think Tyler would let Lillie be a flower girl at the wedding? We thought she’d look really cute.”
Marcus pushed the door open and walked out of the diner. They stood in the cold, and Zach could see his breath in the frosty air.
Marcus shrugged and put his hand out to hail a cab. “I don’t see why not, but I’ll ask him tonight.” A cab pulled up. “Where are you headed? Want to share a ride?”
“No, I’m headed to the realtor. Thanks anyway. We’ll see you this weekend though.”
Marcus climbed in and shut the door to the cab but rolled down the window. “Think carefully before you take that final step.”
Zach waved him off. “You’re being ridiculous.” He watched the cab pull away and then stuck out his own hand to hail a cab. Marcus was becoming as big a worrier as Julian. Who wouldn’t love a surprise beach house?
*
The helicopter rideto Quogue proved an additional thrill to fuel an already highly anticipated experience. Each house the realtor showed him had something special to distinguish it: one had a beautiful gourmet kitchen, the next had professional tennis courts and a private bowling alley indoors. But when he walked up the steps of the dove-gray shingled home on Dune Road, Zach knew he’d found the perfect place.
The front had an expanse of windows that Zach anticipated would overlook the water. When he walked through the front door, each room flowed to the next. The backyard pool, complete with cabanas and outdoor kitchen could be seen from the front, and though it was empty now because it was winter, Zach could imagine all his friends lounging around the pool during the heat of the summer. The beach and the ocean lay beyond, waves pounding to foamy peaks.
The gourmet kitchen with its glass-fronted cabinets and farmer’s sink was painted a cheerful buttery lemon and provided open access to the huge family room, which boasted a vaulted ceiling, wide-planked floors, and a magnificent stacked-stone fireplace.
Zach wandered through the house, going upstairs to peek in the five bedrooms, each with their own bathroom, taking pictures on his phone. Returning downstairs, he pictured Sam reading in front of the fireplace. Maybe they’d get a dog; Sam once mentioned he’d love to walk along the beach with a dog. He placed his hand on the stone wall, rubbing it to get the feel of the place to keep in his memory.
“Well, what do you think?” Carla, the perky realtor, spread her arms wide. “Isn’t it magnificent?”
“It’s beautiful,” said Zach, unable to keep the smile from his face. “I’m already picturing us living here.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful; it’s as if the house is welcoming you. Now, here are the specs.” She handed him a sheet. No matter that he had more in the bank than he’d ever be able to spend in a lifetime, the sight of seven figures for a house still set Zach’s heart racing. But considering this was beachfront in a prime area and he wanted to be close to Julian and Nick, whose house was further inland, Zach knew he’d pay the price. He had to have this house.
Still, a bit of negotiation was both fun and necessary. “I’m going to make an offer, but between you and me, I want this house. I expect that you’ll negotiate the lowest price possible for me.”
“Oh my God, of course I will.”
Zach almost laughed at the excitement in Carla’s eyes. This would be a huge commission for her, and he might be happy to help her, but that didn’t mean he wanted to overpay for the house.
“Tell them it’s an all-cash deal, and I want to close in less than thirty days.” When they got married, Zach wanted to be able to come here after the wedding.
Carla was already nodding. “Oh, that’s perfect for them. I know they were hoping to sell fast, since Mrs. Dunlop was transferred to England for her job.”
