Chapter 22 #2
I trail behind her past the staircase and through a doorway that opens into a sprawling kitchen. The cabinets are outdated and the countertops have seen better days, but the windows overlook a wild, overgrown backyard, and even in its current state, the view is pretty stunning.
“The dining room’s through there,” she says, motioning toward a pair of double doors. “You could take out that wall and open it all up so you’ve got kitchen, dining, and living space. You’d have a full-length open-plan space with bifold doors all the way across the back. It’d be amazing.”
I glance at her. “Are you offering to knock the wall down for me?” I say, grinning as I remember her joke about taking a sledgehammer to the walls in her own place with her dad. “I know demolition’s kind of your thing.”
Her cheeks color slightly, but she smiles. “I’d help.”
I laugh under my breath. “Relax, I’m teasing. But seriously, your idea’s perfect. That’s exactly the kind of space I want.”
She beams. “Come on. Let’s head upstairs.”
I follow her back through the entryway and up the sweeping staircase, her hand grazing the banister as she climbs slowly, like she’s taking it all in.
“I’m obsessed with this staircase,” she says, glancing down over the railing. “Can’t you just see that huge Christmas tree I mentioned the other day down there in the entry?”
She looks over her shoulder at me, grinning, and my heart races.
Because yeah, I can see the tree. But more than that, I see her decorating it.
I see her in this house, laughing in the kitchen, curled up on the couch in the living room, glass of wine in her hand.
Every version of this place that’s forming in my head has her in it. She’s everywhere.
I just smile at her, afraid that if I open my mouth, everything I’ve been holding in will come spilling out, right here, halfway up the damn staircase.
At the top, she turns to me.
“There are seven bedrooms. We’ll start with the master.”
My brows lift. “Seven?” I repeat, and she nods.
“Too many? Is it too much space for just you?”
Her question hits me in a way I don’t expect. “Well,” I say, a little quieter, “I’m hoping it won’t always be just me.”
She meets my eyes, and for a split second, something flickers across her expression, but it’s gone before I can place it. She offers a smile, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes.
“Of course it won’t be,” she says.
The upstairs is just as striking as the rest of the place. Even with all the work it’ll take, I can already picture what it could become. When we’ve made it through every corner of the house, we step into the overgrown expanse of the back garden.
“You think I could put a pool out here?” I ask, motioning to a clearing a little farther from the house.
She lights up. “Absolutely. And just so you know, if you buy this place and add a pool, I’m basically moving in for the summer,” she teases with a laugh.
Her words land deeper than she realizes.
“I could live with that,” I tell her.
She grins. “You say that now, but wait until I’m turning up every day with floats and snacks.”
Truth is, I wouldn’t mind if she never left at all. But I don’t say that. Not yet.
After checking out the outdoor space, we come up with a rough plan for where I could keep the cars.
There’s already a detached double garage, but it’s not nearly enough.
I need at least twice that, maybe more, especially if I end up adding to the collection down the line.
Ivy says she’ll look into the extension possibilities for me and see what’s doable.
“So, what do you think?” she asks as I pull onto the main road, heading back toward Hope Creek.
“I love it, Ivy. I’m pretty sure that’s the one.”
She turns in her seat to face me, eyebrows lifting. “Seriously?”
I nod. “If we can work out the garage situation, it’s perfect.”
“I don’t think extending will be an issue,” she says. “But I’ll make a few calls and double-check.”
“Thanks. I can’t believe the second place you found me might actually be it. You’re killing it.”
She laughs lightly. “Not quite perfect yet, but close. Now we just need to sell the apartment. The listing’s live, so hopefully, we’ll start getting some viewings.
She pauses, then asks, “I probably should’ve checked earlier, but… do you need to sell the apartment before buying something else?”
“No,” I say, shaking my head. “I’d need to sell it before I start remodeling, but I don’t need the funds to purchase.”
“Okay, good. That gives us more flexibility.”
“As soon as we confirm the garage extension is doable, I think I’d like to put in an offer.”
Her eyes widen. “You’re sure you don’t want to see anything else?”
I hesitate. Part of me wants to say yes, if only to keep spending time with her, but I’d be lying. She’s nailed it. That house already feels like mine.
“I can’t imagine finding anything better. That place just felt right, you know?”
“I know,” she says. “I can totally picture you living there.”
So can I. But in my version, she’s right there beside me. I just wish she could see that too.
We took my car to the viewing, so I drive Ivy back to my parents' place, where her car is parked. As we pull into the driveway, I spot Mom climbing the porch steps, her arms full of grocery bags.
Ivy hops out of the car immediately to help, and I follow, grabbing a few bags too.
“Thanks, guys,” Mom says gratefully. “How was the viewing?”
“It was great,” I tell her. “Ivy found a place that’s pretty incredible.”
Mom’s smile widens as she glances at Ivy. “Well, then you’ll have to come to dinner tonight and tell us all about it. I’m making lasagna.”
Ivy blinks, clearly surprised. “Are you sure?” she asks, looking between the two of us.
I smile, already knowing how much I like the idea of seeing her again tonight.
“Of course I’m sure,” Mom says warmly. “You’re always welcome, sweetheart. You know that.”
“Okay, thank you. What time should I come over?”
“Wyatt will pick you up at six-thirty,” Mom answers without missing a beat. “Then you and I can split a bottle of wine. Sound good, Wyatt?”
I glance at Ivy and nod. “Sounds perfect.”
“I can just get an Uber,” she offers. “That way you can have a beer, Wyatt.”
I shake my head. “I’m good. I’ll come get you at six-thirty.”
She smiles. “Okay. Thanks.” She hands me the grocery bag she took from Mom. “I guess I’d better head home and get some work done. I’ll see you later?”
“See you later, sweetheart,” Mom chimes in with a grin.
“Bye, Ivy,” I add.
I watch as she walks across the driveway and climbs into her car, giving us a little wave before pulling away.
I turn to Mom, narrowing my eyes. “What exactly are you up to?”
“Me?” she asks, all innocence. “Absolutely nothing.”
“Right,” I say, unconvinced.
She gives a casual shrug. “Just inviting a friend over for dinner. You can thank me later. Maybe wear that shirt I like. I think Ivy will like it too.”
“You are unbelievable.”
“And you’re welcome,” she calls over her shoulder as she disappears inside.
I shake my head, but I’m smiling. I can’t even pretend to be mad.
Not when I get to see Ivy again tonight.