“Double-double, animal style,” Rowan announces with a grin, handing me a warm, paper-wrapped burger. “And fries. A true California experience.”
I take a bite and nearly moan. “Holy shit, this is really fucking good.”
“Right?” His smile is smug as he digs in.
When we finally pull up to a gated driveway, the sun is high in the sky, glinting off a pair of large, black iron gates.
Evo pushes a button above the rearview mirror. The gates slowly part, revealing a long driveway. When we turn the corner, my jaw hits the floor.
“Holy shit,” I breathe, practically pressing my face against the glass. “This is where you live?”
The driveway curves through meticulously landscapedgrounds, leading to what can only be described as a modern mansion. All clean lines and massive windows, the house looks as if it’s built into the hillside, offering what is sure to be breathtaking views of the city below.
“Home sweet home,” Rowan says casually, a hint of nervousness in his voice as he watches my reaction.
As soon as we roll to a stop in front of the house, Evo climbs out and opens my door before I can even unbuckle my seatbelt.
“Thanks,” I mumble, stepping out and craning my neck to take in the full scale of the place.
It’s intimidating and gorgeous. A perfect reflection of the life Rowan has built for himself so far away from our childhood home.
Sunlight bounces off floor-to-ceiling windows, and I can see glimpses of an infinity pool wrapping around one side of the house.
Coming to stand beside me, he shoves his hands into his pockets. “What do you think?”
“It’s...” I search for the right word. “A lot.”
The sound of his laugh carries across the quiet hillside. “Come on. I’ll give you a quick tour.”
He raises a hand to Evo as he pulls away.
“Does Evo live here, too?”
“Kind of. He stays in the guesthouse on the other side of the property. Keeps to himself. He won’t bother us unless he has a reason.”
Rowan presses his thumb to a small panel beside the enormous front door. It swings open effortlessly, and I follow him inside. As I walk into the open-concept living space, I’m momentarily stunned.
Sunlight streams through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating polished concrete floors and mid-century modernfurniture. The entire back wall is mostly made of glass, framing a view of Los Angeles that steals my breath away.
“This is... insane,” I murmur, slowly turning in a circle to take it all in.
“It’s just a house,” he says with a shrug, but I can tell he’s pleased by my reaction.
“Just ahouse? This place is bigger than all the buildings on Main Street back home put together.”
He snorts. “I wouldn’t gothatfar.”
I cast him a glance over my shoulder. “Close enough.”
Mesmerized by the sprawling city below, I wander over to the wall of windows. The infinity pool extends right up to the edge, creating the illusion that it merges with the horizon. It’s like something out of a movie—which I guess makes sense, considering who owns it.
“Come on,” he says, picking up our bags. “Let me show you to your room.”
I follow him up a floating staircase to the second floor. It’s just as impressive as the first, with a long hallway lined with more windows and pieces of abstract art that probably cost more than my car.
“This is you.” Rowan pushes open a door to reveal a guest bedroom that’s bigger than my loft.
A king-sized bed butts up against a wall painted a soft sage green, covered in a fluffy, plush white comforter. The rest of the room is decorated in earthy tones. It’s luxurious and cozy.
