“That’s great. I love an open-concept thermal experience.”
Will snorted, stepping down off the deck and walking closer, his shoes crunching over gravel that should’ve been lawn. “I’m not joking, Jesse. It’s going to be freezing.”
I shrugged, watching Hubert return triumphantly with the ball. “That’s pretty rich coming from a guy who lives in a black hole of maintenance otherwise known as an English castle.”
He snorted. “Exactly. That’s why I know how construction worksandthat you’re going to need a lot of it.”
I grinned, taking the ball from Hubert and tossing it again, a little farther this time. “Look, worst case scenario, fixing this place up bankrupts me.”
Will glanced at me with one eyebrow arching. “Is that really the worst case? Because you and I both know this place won’t bankrupt you even if you knock it down and rebuild it from the ground up. It’s going to be a mess, but it won’t make a dent in your accounts.”
“Okay, fine. That’s the second worst case anyway. The actual worst case is Jacque realizes she married an idiot and leaves me alone with it.”
“Yeah, that’s unlikely. I’m rather sure she knew you were an idiot and married you anyway.”
“One can hope.” I glanced back at the house, at the peeling paint, sagging gutters, and windows that definitely needed replacing. “I know it’s a lot, but we’ll get it done. I’ve already hired a crew to get started after Thanksgiving.”
“You’re really good with that? Living in a house like this instead of an overly modernized penthouse with a spa and a gym in the building.”
I huffed out a laugh. “No idea. Ask me again when I’m crying over contractor quotes.”
“That seems fair. I’m happy for you, though. You’re going to have so much space, assuming the yard doesn’t eat you first.” He went quiet for a second. “Have you talked to Zach?”
I shook my head. “No, not really.”
“Not really?”
“I mean, there’s been the stuff on the group chat. The logistics around you guys coming back home for Thanksgiving and whatnot, but that’s it.” I glanced at him. “You?”
“Same.”
After the gala, everyone had gone back to their own lives, their routines, and in Will’s case, another country. I hadn’t exactly been making the rounds either, focusing instead on lying low until the initial fervor had died down and then settling into life as a married man—and moving Jacque and Hubert into my condo for the time being.
“Do we need to be worried?” I asked, keeping my tone casual. “With the Morris situation and the divorce. Do you think they’re going to come down on him? I was hoping that had all blown over.”
Will exhaled through his nose as he considered it. “I’m not sure. They’ll push where they can, but you already did them a favor. Indirectly, but still. You bought them a few months away from being the main focus of the press. That should make them think twice about coming after Zach.”
“Are you sure?”
He met my gaze. “Yeah. I’m sure. At least, that’s my opinion.”
“Alright,” I said. “Good.”
He rocked back on his heels. “I think it’s mostly everyone tiptoeing around Zach now. He’s been acting like he’s completely fine, but I don’t think that’s true.”
“Agreed,” I said immediately. “I think it’s just an act.”
Hubert came charging back toward us again and I took the ball, but my focus wasn’t really on him anymore. “How about I check in on him more regularly from now on?”
Will glanced at me. “Yeah?”
“Yeah. I don’t buy this whole unaffected act, but it’s not just that. None of us have been there for each other like we should after Mom. I know I’ve been worse than everyone else, but still.”
“True,” he said slowly. “I’ll try to be better too. Why don’t we start by me walking you through your house and pointing out all the stuff I think the contractors should pay special attention to?”
“Because you’re such an expert?”
He smirked. “No, because I live in a money pit too and I’ve learned a thing or two about what ends up costing more if you don’t get it done right the first time.”
