“I do love it. Just couldn’t justify living here by myself because it’s so big. My grandfather left me enough money to keep it up and hire a staff, though. And I suppose I could move my work here.” He looked around what was his second favorite room in the house with its big, cozy furniture and massive television on the other side of the fireplace, which was made of floor to ceiling gray stones. “I do love this room, as well as the kitchen. And I once loved that study.”
“That awful real estate agent was right about the study, even if he was wrong about everything else. It would be a great room to work in.”
“It would if it didn’t give me the creeps. I can’t shake the feeling there’s something wrong in there.” Everett knew he sounded crazy, but again, Dax made him comfortable enough to speak his mind.
“Maybe once everything is packed and you have your own things in there, you’ll feel differently.”
“It’s possible. I truly never thought of moving in here—had just always assumed I’d sell it once he passed.” He was truly considering it, though. Creepy feeling aside, it felt like his home, and he’d had a hard time knowing people were going through it and putting price tags on all the things his grandfather had collected. Had cherished.
He should have realized this was what he needed to do, and now that the realization was settling, he knew the decision not to sell was the right one. So what if he was alone, rattling around in this huge place? It belonged to his family, and as the last surviving member, he should be here. He could maybe fill it with children someday. That was his dream. He’d always wanted a family, so he’d have to make one himself.
“You know what? I’m staying. I’m going to halt the estate sale, and I’ll have to think on what I want to do with everything in the office. Keep all the books, of course. With what I’m writing, they are invaluable research. I’ll just make room for all my books—keep packing away the shelves of figurines.” He looked at Dax, who was quietly listening as always, and smiled. “I can’t believe I’m doing this, but it feels right.”
“It’s a lovely home, Everett. Maybe putting your own things in the one room will get rid of that bad feeling.”
He squared his shoulders and took a deep breath. “I think you’re right. Now I just have to figure out what I’m keeping at my house.” He laughed. “This is crazy, but I feel good about the decision.” He did. Felt like a weight had been pulled from his shoulders. One he’d mistaken for all of the things he needed to do in order to sell everything. But he didn’t want to do that. This had been Wilson’s home and Everett’s father’s home, and it should really be his own as well.
A flood of joy made it feel as if sunlight had suddenly poured into the room. He gave Dax a wide grin. “This is a good thing,Dax. This is my family home. I think we should go out to celebrate. How does that sound?”
“I’ll do whatever you’d like. I’m happy for you—I had a feeling this home was special to you. Where would you like to go tonight?”
“Not tonight. Now. Today. This probably is going to make me sound like the most boring man alive, but all the fall vegetables will be on display at the farmer’s market, and I’d like to go, get some fresh goodies and cook a big pot of butternut squash soup with homemade bread. A home-cooked meal in what will be my home again sounds like the perfect celebration of this decision. Unless you’d like to do something different, like go dancing tonight?”
Dax laughed. “I’m not much for dancing, and that soup sounds wonderful. I don’t find you boring at all.”
“Most men have. I write at home, and I prefer cooking my own meals and eating them at home. I’m a homebody to the extreme.”
“I’m not most men, Everett.”
Something in Dax’s tone had Everett studying him closer. “No, Dax, you aren’t. So, you want to go to the farmer’s market with me? Just so you know, I’m going to look at this as a date.” He watched as Dax’s beautiful green eyes widened.
“A date?”
He nodded. “A real date. I like you, and I have the feeling you like me, too. I don’t think I’m truly in any danger, yet have I let you go? No. That’s because I wanted you here. I like being around you. So, I think we should date. I’m sure your company has all kinds of rules about that, so we’ll just keep this to ourselves. Unless…you aren’t interested in me like that?”
It took so long for Dax to answer, embarrassment swept through Everett, and he quickly backtracked.
“I’m sorry—that was so presumptuous of me. It’s just that…I feel something happening between us, and it feels too big to be one-sided. Am I wrong in feeling that?”
“No, you aren’t, Everett. I am attracted to you.” Dax went silent again, but he seemed to be thinking of more to say, so Everett waited. “Yes, there is a company policy of not dating clients, but it’s not really enforced. It’s just that…”
“What?” Everett asked softly.
Dax shrugged his big shoulders, then gave him that shy smile that did all sorts of electric things to his insides.
“You know what? I’d like to go to the farmer’s market with you, and I’d like to share a dinner. Have a date. So yes, Everett, let’s do that.”
Chapter Ten
Dax
Everett had fallen asleep on the other side of the insanely comfortable sectional couch. Dax, content to watch him sleep for a time, set down his book and relaxed back into the cushions. Everett looked younger asleep. More…vulnerable…when the man was anything but.
Dax had enjoyed their date at the farmer’s market and then dinner together. They’d eaten in the breakfast area off the kitchen, laughter a big part of their conversation as they talked about their interests. He’d learned that Everett liked to read research books for his writing and that he hated working out but did it to stay healthy. He also found out that Everett secretly loved bubblegum ice cream cones but thought the flavor was for children, so he normally kept that to himself.
Dax had shared that he hated cabbage because his father loved it so much his mother had made it for most meals. He also talked a little about his past relationships, but it was hard to make those relationships sound recent, so he’d kept them to vague references.
But it felt like they were forming a bond, which only constantly reminded him that Everett couldn’t be a soulmate. He didn’t see through glamour magic, though he did seem to sense magic. He certainly sensed something in that study.
