“Who’s your decorator? They suck.”
I scanned the room, taking it in from her viewpoint. To be fair, it wasn’t so much ugly as it was an over-the-top attempt at mid-century modern. The house’s architecture made it livable, even if the furniture wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea.
“Ask the previous owners,” I told her. “I bought it like this.”
She eased herself from under Waldo, then brushed dog hair off her jeans when she stood up. “So the furniture isn’t yours?”
“Came with the house.”
“You just move in?”
“Three years ago,” I admitted.
“That makes the furniture yours.” She laughed, then shook her head. “And Waldo?”
“He didn’t come with the house.”
She pointed and grinned as though to say,I see what you did there.
“How long have you had him?” She skimmed the living room, the dining area, and the kitchen as she moved toward the back of the house.
“Two years.”
Laikyn peered down at Waldo, who was propped with his front paws in front of him as he watched her. “How old is he?”
“Three, maybe four. Don’t know for sure.”
“No doubt the longest relationship you’ve ever had,” she said with a grin.
“Not quite, but close,” I admitted.
Her eyes met mine, and I could tell she was trying to read into the meaning. When I didn’t give her anything more, she continued to survey the space.
“What was the appeal?” she asked, placing her hand on the retracting wall of windows that opened to the outdoor living space. “All the concrete, the pool, or the view?”
“All. None.”
Laikyn smiled, and it changed her from attractive to dick-hardeningly beautiful.
“What’s out there?” She was pointing at what the real estate agent had referred to as a recreation room at the far back of the property. The previous owners had used it as a gym.
“Nothing at the moment.”
“Seriously?”
I nodded. “You should get some sleep.”
“Oh, right.” She clutched her hands to her chest. “Big day today. A girl only gets married three times, but I’m sure the first is supposed to be special.”
I choked on a laugh. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting her to be quite so lighthearted about the whole thing.
“So we get married this afternoon.” Laikyn’s eyebrows rose. “Then what? I hope you don’t expect me to sit in this depressing place all day.”
I could tell she was being facetious. The house wasn’t the least bit depressing, even if it was bland. Considering I was rarely here, I didn’t see the point in doing anything with it.
“I’ve got an office,” I informed her.
“In the house?”
