I hum a sound. “Right.” My T is sharp. “What house are you looking at?”
“It’s on the other side of the lake, you can kind of see your brother’s house from it. It’s on…” He scrolls his email for the street name.
But I already know. “Owl Hill Lane,” I say and take another sip of my coffee.
Declan’s face screws up when he looks at me. “That’s a very… storybook name. How did you know?”
“The landlady to this place used to live on that street. The house you’re looking at is a great house, though it probably needs some changes.”
“Will you come with me?” It shoots out of his mouth, taking us both aback.
“Tie her up,” Nugget calls out.
We both look at the bird and back to one another. “He’s super talkative in the mornings, ignore him.”
“Who taught him that?” Declan is entertained.
I hold my palm up, urging him not to press with the questions. “I was too scared to ever ask. But, uhm, the house…”
Declan steps forward. “Come on, you know the area. I could use the advice.”
“Is that a good idea?” My voice raises an octave.
He runs his thumb along the line of his jaw. “A horrible idea.” He grins to himself. “But I don’t care. Plus, if we weren’t sleeping together, then you wouldn’t hesitate. Besides, the agent is from Chicago selling on behalf of an estate, so they don’t even know the quirky little details about this area. Please?” His eyes are pleading, with mischief thrown in.
A long sound escapes my lips as I puff out a breath. “Okay.”
Not what I was going for.
“Great. I’ll meet you there at 4.”
“Yep.” But my eyes turn cautious.
* * *
We slowly trailbehind the real estate agent dressed in a suit. Jimmy is in his forties and reminds me of the guy from that reality television show about California real estate that I watch. Everything he says feels like an upsell.
The house is empty of furniture and is incredibly big, but the view of the lake is to die for. Owning waterfront property is nowhere in my future. It’s far too expensive, but I have a brother who lets me drop in at their pristine lake house at any time.
We all stop when the agent opens the sliding doors to reveal the backyard overlooking the lake. It’s pouring rain yet again, so we admire the view from inside.
“The weather isn’t cooperating, but on a good day, you’ll get the sunrise and full sun until about mid-afternoon. The dock was renewed only a few years ago, and it’s possible to add a pool if you really wanted, however the hot tub and sauna are perfect all year round. You’ve seen the house now. There is room to negotiate, I think, as they’re looking for a quick sale,” Jimmy explains.
“The only neighbor is the house up on the corner by the main road, right?” I ask to confirm. “The Joneses, and they’re snowbirds, so they head down to Scottsdale in the winter,” I add, as privacy is important for Declan.
“Something like that, I think. How about I leave you two alone for a few minutes to discuss?” Jimmy suggests.
I was introduced as a friend, but Jimmy has given me a few questionable glares about that definition, especially when Declan made a joke about the master suite shower being the right size for two, with room to bend over.
Declan nods. “That would be great.”
I cross my arms and offer Jimmy an appreciative smile. The moment that he’s out of sight, I roll my eyes at Declan.
“This is ridiculous,” I inform him, yet I’m entertained. “One, that I’m here, and two, that you would need a house this size. This is a family house.”
Declan smirks before he takes a step, right to the doorframe edge. “I need a house for entertaining.” He seems to be reflecting.
I point out to the yard. “With a treehouse?”
