“I can’t believe you, man. I’ve always looked out for you, and this is how you treat me?”
Quincy looked so bereft, Tristan tried not to laugh, but he couldn’t stop the snicker. His brother was right, he had always looked out for Tristan, coming through for him more times than he could count.
“I’m sorry, Quincy. I had no idea she’d take my suggestion, but would it be so bad if she found you a woman?” When Quincy shot him an incredulous look, Tristan lifted his hands. “Hear me out. You’re not getting any younger. Don’t you want children? You don’t want to be that guy at fifty with a toddler and—”
“Dude, I’m not even forty yet. I have time, but all that is beside the point. Would you want Mom finding you a woman?”
“No,” he answered honestly. “I’m sorry. Hopefully after you tell Mom to back off, she’ll listen. Or you can always sick her on Bethany. It wouldn’t hurt for our sister to get hooked up with a good man.”
Before Quincy could respond, Tristan’s phone buzzed in his pants pocket, and he hurried and pulled it out. He hoped it was Cree, but a glance at the screen showed it was his real estate agent calling.
“Hello.”
“Hi Tristan, I’m glad I caught you. I think I found the perfect home for you and Cree.”
Tristan listened as she spouted off the highlights of the home, including that it was in one of Cree’s chosen suburbs. It had the number of bedrooms and bathrooms they were looking for, as well as a pool and pool house. The two-car attached garage and a three-car standalone garage were perfect. That’s where most of the homes he’d looked at lately had fallen short.
“Any chance you guys are able to take a look at this gorgeous home today? It’s move-in ready, and the seller is very motivated.”
Tristan glanced at the time, wondering when he’d hear from Cree. “Cathy, I’m not sure. I’d have to check with my wife and get back to you. Are there any other homes in the area that fit what we’re looking for?”
“There was one more a few blocks away from this one, but I heard this morning that the owners accepted an offer. I’ll keep looking, but Tristan I think this one is the one. If there’s any chance you two can meet me there today, just give me a call back.”
“Cathy found another house for you to look at?” Quincy asked when Tristan disconnected the call.
“Yeah, it sounds like a good contender. Hopefully, it’s all she says it is because I’m tired of looking.”
He was so ready to find their dream home and get settled in. They had hoped that would happen before Thanksgiving, but seeing the holiday was next week, Tristan had given up hope. But if they could find a place and get moved in by Christmas, that would be great too. He felt once they were in one place, instead of bouncing between their two condos, he’d feel a bit more settled. Then they could start planning the rest of their life.
Quincy stood. “I need to go downstairs and talk with one of the tenants in the building. You gonna still be here when I return?”
“Probably not. I’m going to head out soon.”
“Okay, lock up when you leave, and I’ll catch you later.”
“Will do.”
Tristan’s phone rang, and when he realized it was Cree, he answered quickly.
“Hey, baby.”
“Hey yourself.”
Relief flooded through Tristan at hearing her voice. “How’d it go with Warren?”
“Things started… interestingly, but once Warren and I came to an understanding, we were prepared to meet with Felicia. After long discussions and hashing out a few important issues, I’ll get what I want… at a cost. But I’ll tell you all about that when I see you.”
“Okay,” he said slowly, hearing something else in her voice, maybe weariness. “You don’t sound good. You okay? Are you ready for me to come get you?”
He had dropped her off that morning, but she thought it best if he was not seen there until after she talked with Warren.
“I’m fine. Just a little tired, and anxious to see you. Instead of you picking me up, I’ll get a car and come to you. Where are you?”
“At the commercial building. Are you sure you don’t want me to come get you?”
“No, that’s okay. I think it’ll be better if you stay clear of the offices here. I’ll come to you. Or I can meet you at home. Umm, your condo.”
That was a reminder that they needed to find their home.
