“Friend,” I blurted out rudely.
“Seth?” She eyed him warily.
“Emma, this is Claire. Claire, Emma. Emma’s Bryce’s better half.”
“Damn right I am,” she replied with a wink. “How are you, Claire?”
“I’m good. Thanks for having me,” I replied, remembering my manners.
“Absolutely no trouble at all. Has Stiffy introduced you to everyone yet?” Emma asked, setting the tray down on the coffee table.
“Stiffy?”
“Ah. Guessing Seth didn’t let you in on that little secret yet.”
“Emma! Did you have to?” Seth whined, grabbing a sausage roll and taking a big bite before bouncing around like an idiot, fanning his face because it’d burnt his tongue.
“Hey, Em?” a voice called out from somewhere in the house.
“Coming,” she replied before she started to scurry away only to stop and turn back to us. “Seth?”
“Yeah?”
“Get Claire a drink.”
“Yes, Ma’am,” he replied cheekily, pretending to tip his hat.
“Don’t be a dork. The good bubbles are in the pantry fridge.”
“On it.”
Taking my hand in his, Seth led me through the house, and I wasn’t sure where to look first. Everything was amazing. The ceilings were high, the lounge looked soft and luxurious and the perfect spot for a winter afternoon nap, and then Seth led me around the corner and my jaw hit the floor.
I don’t know which I liked more—my dream kitchen or the pool beyond the huge open doors. The kitchen was all marble and shiny, stainless steel. The huge island bench was buried beneath platters of finger food, chopping boards, and utensils while cute little trinkets lined the windowsill. It was every chef’s dream, and that was even before I stepped into the walk-in pantry.
When I paused, Seth turned back to me, a worried look on his face. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“You sure?”
“I’m never leaving.”
“Huh?”
“Seth, this place is incredible. The kitchen alone would have me offering to move in just to be the cook and maid.”
With a relieved chuckle, Seth exhaled. “Don’t let Bryce hear you say that. He might just take you up on that offer.”
“What offer?” Bryce’s head poked around the corner.
“It was nothing,” I brushed it off feeling incredibly awkward.
“Claire’s in love with your house. She’s decided she’s going to move in just to cook in your kitchen. I tried to tell her that meant living with your ugly arse, but…”
Ignoring Seth, Bryce winked at me before threading his arm through mine. “Well then, Claire, let me show you around.”
“You don’t have to…” I started to protest.
