Page 6 of Haden

Why must I be so freaking attracted to my brother’s best friend? I haven’t seen him for several months. Part of me had thought perhaps I would feel nothing when he showed up. Then I could stop daydreaming about him. But no… Instead, he’s everything I’ve fantasized about and more.

I lead him down the first-floor hallway, pointing out rooms that have been taken over as offices by Dallas, Ryder, Tiago, and Brody, as well as the workout room they installed. In between are several rooms that no one has claimed for any particular purpose.

Haden pauses inside one of them. “It’s like stepping into a flea market,” he comments.

I giggle. “That’s a great way to describe it, including the fact that some of this shit is worthless and some of it is extremely valuable. Luckily, Dallas knows his antiques. He’s slowly working through everything to ensure we don’t throw out some million-dollar heirloom.”

Haden trails his fingers over an end table. “I see the problem. It’s hard to tell if this table was picked up at an estate sale for a dollar or purchased in the early nineteen hundreds from a famous furniture designer.”

“Exactly. So we go through these rooms one at a time, meticulously cataloging and looking things up. It’s tedious.”

He turns to face me. “Are you staying?”

“In Wilde?” I shrug. “I’m not sure.”

“Do you have a job lined up? I know you got your degree in early-childhood education.”

I’m stunned that he remembers that so specifically. “Uh, no. I intended to start my master’s in the fall.”

“But now?”

After a deep inhale, I respond, “I’m not sure. This place is addictive. I might decide to stay.”

He gives a curt nod. His expression is unreadable, as usual. I can’t tell if he’s glad I might stick around or if he’d prefer I get out of town.

“Show me the upstairs,” he demands, the abrupt change of subject giving me whiplash.

I lead him toward the front of the house. “This is the main entrance. These ornate stairs go up to the second floor. We almost never use these doors or steps. Most of us come in through the kitchen where you parked. There’s a back staircase in the corner of the kitchen. It’s just easier.”

“Got it.” He grabs the railing and gives a gentle shake as we ascend, probably to assess how sturdy it is.

I don’t blame him. I’m half afraid I might fall through the floor one of these days. All of us will sleep better once Haden gets a handle on the safety of this mansion. Not just structurally, but also the electricity.

Clanky pipes that need replacing are one thing, but faulty electrical wiring could be a fire hazard with the pressure on the framework now that the house is filling with occupants.

I take a look around, seeing the mansion through new eyes.

Let the renovations begin.

Chapter 3

Emilia

* * *

“My God, you all weren’t kidding,” Haden comments as he passes me at the top of the stairs. “There’s no rhyme or reason to the hallways and doors.”

“Exactly. As people move in, they wander around up here, decide which rooms they like, and claim them.”

“Show me yours.” He doesn’t look at me as he makes that request. He just keeps moving forward.

This takes me by surprise. “Uhhh…”

He glances over his shoulder. “What? Is that a problem?”

I practically have to skip to keep up with him, and when I reach his side, he looks at me and slows as if suddenly realizing his legs are much longer than mine. He did this outside, too.

I’m not that short. I’m five-two. Has the man never walked alongside an average-sized woman before? Maybe not. I know very little about Haden. He comes to Brody’s house for the holidays because he doesn’t have family in San Antonio. But I don’t have a clue how many girlfriends he’s had or even if he’s been married. I’m pretty confident he doesn’t have a wife or any other serious woman in his life at the moment because if he does, she’s still in Texas.