Chapter 45
45
COLE
Leaning over the engine of the car I was working on, I felt something land on my back and sighed. This was becoming a habit of Hazel’s that we somehow needed to break. She lay down on my shoulder and pressed her cheek against mine while staring into the car.
I heard laughing and knew the guys saw what was happening. They thought it was hilarious that Hazel had somehow become the garage cat over the past month. She spent hours going between the office and the garage, but she never wandered out of the open bay doors. I guess she remembered being out there and recognized the cushy life she had if she stayed inside.
When she started purring, I called out. “Paige!”
I heard her moving around in the office and looked over to see her standing inside the garage.
Her eyes widened, and she laughed. “Did you need something?”
Grinning, I shook my head slightly. This was the Paige Jake and Ben knew, but I never saw. She didn’t give me this version of herself before because she didn’t trust me.
But she did now, and I’d never do anything to lose it.
“Can you get her off me?”
She sighed but was smiling when she moved across the garage and lifted Hazel, holding her against her chest. “She loves you.”
“I know, but I can’t get shit done if she’s lying on me.”
“Hey, Paige,” Billy called out, and when she looked across the garage, I immediately missed her eyes on me.
“Yeah?”
“Tomorrow still good?”
I watched her smile waver and knew she was feeling a little sad that all the kitten adopters she lined up were picking up their kittens tomorrow.
She nodded. “What time?”
“Gotta make up some time here, so when I’m done?”
“Sure.”
“What time is Harper coming?”
“Well.” Paige ran her hand over Hazel’s soft fur. “Considering tomorrow’s Saturday and she’ll be out tonight, my guess would be late afternoon.”
“It’s cool you found homes for all of them,” Ryan said.
“It is.” She sighed but then smiled at me. “At least we’re keeping Hazel.”
I returned her smile, but then heard the phone ring, and she looked over her shoulder.
“Gotta get that.” She turned and carried Hazel back into the office. She would stay in there for a bit, but then she’d find her way back out to us.
Pushing off the car, I grabbed the rag from my pocket and wiped my hands. We’d been living in my apartment and had talked about moving out, but neither of us did more than talk about it. Paige finally sold her townhouse, so that financial burden was lifted, but I hadn’t wanted to make a big move with Hazel and the kittens. I figured it would be easier to move once they were placed with their new families.
Smiling, I pulled my phone from my pocket and called the one person who could probably help.
“Hey, what’s up?”
I grinned at Ben’s greeting. “You know of any houses for sale?”
He chuckled, and it was obvious he suspected this was coming when he answered. “Been keeping an eye out for you, but without much luck. If you’re interested in building, I can give you a lot more options.”
I’d considered that, but when I mentioned it to Paige, she didn’t seem excited. I think the length of time it takes to build was a deterrent for us. “Not sure we want to wait that long.”
“Makes sense,” he agreed. “I haven’t heard of much inventory out your way, but I’ve also been swamped with these builds, so I haven’t had as much time. You may need to call a real estate agent if you’re looking for something sooner than later.”
“Any suggestions?” We could use the one Paige had used to both buy and sell her townhouse, but I couldn’t stand the guy. He was arrogant and flirted with her any time I wasn’t around. She said she only continued to use him because he was good, but I still refused. There had to be real estate agents in this town who were just as good without being obnoxious.
“Call Kate. She works in the real estate office her friends own.”
“That’s right. I forgot she worked in real estate.” I rubbed my hand across the back of my neck. “I actually met her bosses at Luke’s and her wedding.”
“Good luck, brother. I’ll let you know if I hear about anything in the meantime.”
“Thanks,” I said before hitting End and pulling up my texts. I had a text out to Kate and an answer from her in only a few minutes.
Grinning, I walked into the office and saw Paige typing on the computer. When she heard my boots, she glanced over her shoulder and smiled. It was a punch in the gut when she focused her attention on me, and like always, I wondered if it always would be.
“Just talked to Kate.”
“Kate? Why?” She furrowed her brow. “Is something wrong?”
“No.” I leaned my hip against the side of her desk, understanding why she was confused. I was close to all my cousins, but I didn’t talk to them as frequently as Ben and Jake, and I almost never had the reason to reach out to their wives. “I texted her because Ben reminded me that she works at a real estate office.”
“Oh, that’s right.” Understanding dawned on her face. “I forgot about that.”
“I did too until Ben reminded me. Anyway, I made us an appointment to meet with them today at four.”
“Four o’clock? Today?” She repeated and looked at the time on her computer monitor before pushing to stand and laying her hand on my chest. “To meet with a real estate agent?”
“Yeah.” I grinned, wrapping my hand around her hip. “You ready for that?”
“I’m ready.” She smiled and leaned in close, her lips hovering in front of mine and her voice low when she breathed, “Are you?”
Groaning, I squeezed her hip. “More than ready.”
She smiled and pressed her lips to mine, kissing me sweetly, but she pulled back before I could deepen it. “Then let’s go find a house.” She put her hand to her forehead and laughed. “Wow, I never thought I’d hear myself say that to a man.”
Chuckling, I pressed one last kiss to her lips, pulled away, and smacked her ass when I walked by, aware it would piss her off. “Be ready at four.”
“That bossy shit is never going to work with me,” she yelled after me.
Laughing, I walked back into the garage and met the annoying smirks of my employees, all of whom were working today.
“Get back to work,” I said, but there was no force behind it, and I grinned when they all laughed.
I paused for a moment and took it all in. A year ago, I was miserable, in love with a woman I couldn’t have, and exhausted because I had more work than I could handle.
It was crazy to me how life could flip so quickly.
And gave me everything I always wanted.