Chapter 4
House Hunting
Astrid
“Ilove the light,” I stepped into an open-plan living room in Notting Hill. “But—”
“It’s not grand enough,” Parker sighed.
“Parker, I know you love the area, but… it’s so far from downtown. It’s miles from Amara and Niall.”
The estate agent shifted, wanting to jump in but fearing Parker’s grumpy mood. We saw seven houses already. She wanted to be done but hadn’t played her cards right. We hit all of Parker’s preferred neighbourhoods and none of mine.
“We will lose space in Belgravia or Kensington,” Parker protested. “What you want—it will be smaller.”
“It doesn’t have to be huge,” I laughed. “Four bedrooms will be plenty, Parker. We don’t need seven. How many children are you planning to have?”
“Well, two.”
“Two is fine,” I said. “With four bedrooms.”
“If I may,” the estate agent chirped, “there is a five-bedroom terraced house in Knightsbridge which may suit.”
Parker, the forever frugal man, fought an eyeroll.
I grabbed his arm, “Five is a compromise. And it’s close to Niall and Amara.”
I knew he’d relent. He always did.
“Fine,” Parker said. “But it’s stuffy.”
“I think you will appreciate the modern house. It could be a good compromise in style and location,” the agent said.
To date, she tried to please my grumpy fiancé unaware that he always gave into me. Argument was our foreplay.
We went to Knightsbridge, tucking into a terraced house with a beautiful private garden.
There were four flours—three above ground and one below with a nanny suite and gym.
The garden had plenty of quiet entertaining space in the middle of a busy city.
I knew that would please Parker. He stood on the patio, looking around.
I came up behind him, rubbing his back. “What do you think?”
“It’s gauche,” he said, “but when I think about this space, I…”
He shook his head.
“What?” I laughed.
“It’s sappy.”
I rested my head on his shoulder.
“I love sappy, Parker. Be sappy.”
He kissed my head. “I see our kids out here playing. Maybe we will get the dog we always wanted. And… that feels good.”
“So, you’re saying…”
“That you get what you want, Princess.”
I leapt into his arms, kissing him. “I promise you we will make it home.”
Parker kissed my forehead. “I know we will.”