“I’m fine. A change of scenery is not going to stop me from thinking about work.”Or Vance.
“We’re going out,” he tells me, walking into the bedroom without letting me argue. I watch him with a smile until he stops suddenly and rushes back into the kitchen.
“Are you naked under that robe?”
“I sure am.” I beam up at him and he groans, dropping his face into his hand. “Are we still going out?”
“Yes. Come on. I’ll help you get dressed.”
The sun beams through the trees, appearing like flashes of light as we drive toward the beach and away from the chaos. I put down my window to feel the breeze on my face, breathing in the salty air as the ocean comes into view.
“Where are we going?”
We’ve been driving for about twenty minutes without Sal saying a word, and as we turn toward the water, my interest piques.
“Are you taking me to the beach? I’m not sure my crutches will be that easy to use on sand.”
“I could carry you.” His eyes flash my way before they’re back on the road, so he doesn’t see me poking my tongue out.
“I can walk, Sal. I’m not—” I cut myself off when he smirks, and roll my eyes as I bite back a smile. “We’re not going to the beach, are we?”
He shakes his head.
“How about I wait and see?”
“I think that’s a great idea.” Sal smiles as he turns his attention back to the road, while reaching out to curl his hand around my thigh, giving it a squeeze.
I bask in the warmth of his palm on my skin until the car slows, and he turns into the driveway of a huge mansion. A beachfront property that I stare at longingly like it’s love at first sight.
“Are we visiting someone?” I ask, turning his way to gauge his reaction.
“No,” he answers without emotion, coming to a stop near the front of the circular driveway.
“Trespassing?” I ask next, and this time Sal laughs.
“No.”
I stare at him for a beat until an idea hits me and I gasp. “You bought a house, didn’t you?” I don’t know why that thought popped into my head, but the second it’s there, I know it’s the truth.
“I did. A year ago.”
“What? Why?”
“Because I thought there would come a time when I’d want to grow up and become a homeowner.”
“Sal, you own your apartment. Two apartments, in fact—one here and one in New York.”
“And a house in…” My eyes widen and he trails off. “It doesn’t matter. The point is that I wanted something bigger. What do you think?”
Without giving him a response, I turn toward the house and take it all in, breathless at its beauty.
I’ve never pictured the type of house I’d want if I ever moved, and yet, one look at this place has me thinking this would be it. If I had unlimited funds like Sal does. It’s a modern beachy structure with lots of windows, and what looks to be high ceilings based on the size.
There are manicured hedges running around the grounds, and a huge entry with an angled roofline covering the porch, highlighting the water features on both sides.
“It’s beautiful, Sal.”
“I’m glad you think so. Here’s hoping you like the inside too, because I’m moving you in here.”
