The house appeared at the end of a gravel driveway, smaller than the mansions on either side, shingle-style with a wraparound porch and hydrangeas blooming blue against the weathered wood.
Tessa straightened in her seat. “This is it?”
“Don’t sound so surprised.”
“I was expecting something that screamed ‘private equity.’”
Gabriel killed the engine. “It’s still worth four million dollars.”
“Four million.”
The front door opened. Devney appeared in bare feet and a sunflower-print sundress, bright and impossible to ignore. “You’re here!”
Before Gabriel could circle the car, Tessa had opened her door, and Devney was down the porch steps in seconds, pulling her into a hug that lasted several beats longer than socially required.
“I’ve been waiting all day,” Devney said, still holding on. “Ronan reorganized the pantry twice.”
“I heard that.” Ronan appeared in the doorway in dark jeans and a white shirt rolled at the sleeves. “It needed organizing.”
“It was fine.”
“It was chaos.”
“It was alphabetized.”
“By product type. Not by use frequency. Completely inefficient.”
Gabriel caught Tessa’s eye. She was trying not to laugh. “Welcome to the madness,” he said.
Ronan helped with the bags while Devney led them through the house. Hardwood floors, white walls, windows everywhere framing views of dunes and ocean.
“Your room’s upstairs. Best view in the house. Knox and Lucy are on this floor too.”
The room was simple—queen bed, white linens, wildflowers on the nightstand, windows open to catch the breeze.
Gabriel set down their bags and closed the door. Tessa stood by the window, looking at water that stretched to the horizon.
“Hey.” He came up behind her, arms wrapping around her waist, chin resting on her shoulder. “You okay?”
“This is strange.”
“Strange how?”
“Not long ago I was catering your best friend’s wedding. Now I’m sleeping in his guest room.” She turned to face him. “You know what I mean.”
He pulled her closer. “I know. And I know this is fast. But I’ve been waiting years for this.”
“For the Hamptons?”
“For you. Here. With me. Just being.”
“You’re very smooth when you want to be.”
“I’m always smooth.”
“No you’re not.” She smiled. “But I like you, anyway.”
“Good enough for me.”
