I unlatched my seatbelt. “It is, and I am. This is just where I always stay when I come to visit.”
His brow knitted together. “You don’t stay with your family when you visit? I thought the rental was because I was coming with you.”
“Don’t flatter yourself, Ford.” I opened the door and stretched. “I don’t like staying at my mom’s house. She can be . . . temperamental. I need space. The owner is a family friend, so she lets me book it without going through the rental site and gives me a great deal.”
Like I had summoned her, a rusted-out station wagon pulled in behind us.
“Perfect timing,” Beverly said as she eased out of the driver’s side. “I was hoping I’d get here before you. It’s good to see you, Autumn. Though I wish the circumstances were better. I’m so sorry to hear about Shep.”
I offered her a watery smile and a light hug as I met her in the driveway. “Thanks, Bev.”
She held up a shiny silver key that looked brand-spanking new and let out a sigh. “New keys. We’ve been working on the place for the last month. It’s still got a little way to go—ohhello.” Her weathered eyes widened as Ryan appeared behind me.
I glanced at him, then turned back to Beverly. “Do I need to put down a pet deposit for this one? He followed me here from New York.”
She snickered. “I think it’ll be fine. He looks house-trained."
“He’s not,” I deadpanned.
“Just point me to my crate,” Ryan teased as he slipped his arm around my waist. “Although I’m a great bedmate."
I rolled my eyes.
Beverly laughed, but it turned to a sigh. “That’s what I didn’t get a chance to tell you when you called to see if the house was available. The last renters we had trashed the place. Broken furniture and water damaged the floors. Apparently, there was a kitchen fire at some point.” She shook her head. “We’re almost done with it, but the second bedroom is still a construction zone. It’s got paint, sawhorses, and tools in it. We’ve still gotta paint, get new carpet down in there, and get a new bedroom set. But the main bedroom and bathroom are good to go. And they look real nice, if I do say so myself.”
“That’s fine. We only need one bed,” Ryan said at the same time I shrieked, “What?!”
His arm tightened around my waist, shaking me out of the shock and shutting me up. “Thanks for getting this together on such short notice,” Ryan said as he shook Beverly’s hand. “I’m Autumn’s boyfriend, Ryan.”
The lie slipped off his tongue easily.
Beverly made eyes at me as she shook Ryan’s hand. “Well done.”
Just great.
Beverly handed over the new keys and waved us off before backing out of the driveway.
“What the hell was that?” I shouted as I spun on him, shooting daggers from my eyes.
“I was stopping you from freaking out on a little old lady. She seems nice.” He kissed my forehead. “I’ll sleep on the couch.”
I stared at him, utterly perplexed, as he grabbed two bags out of the car, made his way to the door, and let himself in.
Ryan fucking Ford . . .
I grabbed my one bag and headed inside. The house still smelled of fresh paint and lumber. The layout was the same, but where old wallpaper had been, soft gray walls were now in their place. The original wood floors had been replaced with vinyl planks. The corner hutch was gone, and generic department store artwork now hung over a fake plant that came up to my waist.
Beverly’s rental was one of my favorite places to stay. The house used to drip with charm. Seeing it turned into yet another white and gray minimalist snoozefest was a knife to the heart.
Where were the doilies? The lace curtains? Where were the tchotchkes that were adorable but also kind of creepy? Where was the old roll-top desk that I always spent hours writing at?
I was grateful that she had worked so hard to get it ready for us to stay. Still, it was another memory stripped away.
Shep and Lisa had eaten at the old oak table with me. We had sat on the frilly couch with its curved back and talked for hours. We had taken pictures together in front of the red-brick fireplace with one of my books on its release day.
The fireplace had been painted white now, and the flooring was gray . . . just like everything else.
A tear slipped down my cheek as I pictured him there, all long legs, soft middle, and salt-and-pepper hair.
