I hesitated, confused. Was it a date? Or a casual coffee thing? A flush came over me as he waited patiently for my answer. Was it a betrayal to Rafe to spend time with the man, or was I overreacting? Frustrated with my doubts, I decided to treat it like a mentoring thing. He seemed smart and interesting. Nothing wrong with having a talk over coffee. “Sounds good. There’s a café down the street that’s much better than the cafeteria.”
“Thank God. I like my coffee strong, black, and unapologetic.”
I laughed. “Me too.”
“We’re going to get along just fine, Ms. Moretti. Maybe even at the end, I’ll have your application in hand.”
I was surprised at how easily our conversation flowed. Two hours passed in a blur as we loaded up on caffeine. I learned he was an up-and-comer in the company and had big ideas on how to recruit not only technical business majors but a bigger variety of creative people to think outside the box. He spoke with a passion about his job and his dreams, thinking big, and I was swept up in his ambition to have it all. I’d always leaned toward a simpler existence, content with my thoughts, my books, and my art. But lately, I was getting pulled into the lure of the world and its other possibilities. As I became more comfortable in social situations and gained more friends, a strange longing for something bigger kept twisting my gut.
It scared me a bit because I didn’t want anything to change. But I wasn’t sure how to stop it.
Adam fed that longing, and when we finally broke apart, I was reluctant to leave. “Hey, I had a great time with you. Can I take you out to dinner sometime?”
His invite was simple, but his gaze was bold as he stared at me. A shiver raced down my spine. My instinct was to say yes, but it had definitely sounded more like a date. I had to let him know the truth. “Honestly, Adam, I’d like to, but I have a boyfriend.”
Surprise flickered across his face. “Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t know. Then again, kind of stupid to think you’d be free.” I blushed at his compliment. “Listen, I won’t push and we can keep things as friends. Here’s my number.” He pushed his card into my palm and treated me to one of his sexy smiles. “Call me if you want to hang out as a nondate. I promise I won’t cross the line. I just like your company.”
Pleasure sprang up. I nodded. “Okay. I’ll let you know.”
We parted ways at the café. I tucked his card into my purse for safekeeping. There’d be no harm now in calling. He might be a great friend to cultivate since he was in the business world. College taught us anyone can have a contact somewhere. Besides, I’d been honest and he knew I wasn’t available. My conscience was clear.
If I’d known that night would have changed the course of my future, would I still have called him?
I’d never know.
chapter nineteen
Dev
The real estate agent was quick and efficient. Her eyes widened when she spotted the place, and Dev watched as dollar signs pretty much flashed in her gaze as she took in the remodeling and perfect condition.
“I could get you top dollar for this property,” she promised, her short dark bob swinging under her chin. “How fast do you want to sell?”
“Soon,” Dev said.
“Never,” Bailey shot back, giving a death glare.
Dev ignored her and sent the alarmed agent a smile. “We needed to start with initial figures before we move forward.”
“Of course. I think you’ll find my sales history is top-notch in the area. This is a rare find with such updates. Is this a straight sale or are you looking to rent?”
“Give us both options,” Dev said.
The agent calculated some numbers and left after Dev was satisfied she’d answered every last question.
When she turned to her sisters, Bailey crossed her arms across her chest, disgust sketched on her features. Pris just seemed confused. She’d have to be careful navigating the conversation. “These are hefty numbers,” Dev said, trying to start off on a high note.
“I don’t care,” Bailey said. “My vote is no sale.”
Dev let out an annoyed breath. “You promised to go through every suggestion rationally first, remember?”
Pris glanced over. “You did promise. Why don’t we sit down?”
They all convened at the sturdy pine table. Dev opened her phone calculator and her notebook. She’d been calculating various scenarios to find the one that satisfied everyone. “Hear me out before we go any further. If we sell the house for this price, minus fees, we each pocket this amount.” She tore off pieces of paper and slid them across the table. Bailey didn’t react, but Pris widened her eyes.
“That’s a lot of money,” Pris said.
“Exactly. Think about the nest egg this can bring us. That’s what I believe Mom wanted for us. There was a reason she never came back here. She wanted us to have this inheritance not for the house but for the investment.”
Bailey rolled her eyes. “Are you serious? You would think like that!”
“Look, I’m sure this house was important at one time in her life, but she literally never told us about it. Never brought us here, never wanted to share it. Don’t you think that’s saying something?”
Pris let out a breath. “She’s right. Why was Mom so intent on not having us find out? I mean, it was locked up in the trunk with those love letters. Maybe the house held bad memories instead of good but she felt guilty about selling it.”
Bailey jumped from the chair. “Guys, this is crazy. You have to listen to me. The reason she didn’t tell us is so much bigger—can’t you see? This house was special because it was just for her. Her memories. Her summers with Aunt Silvia. Her romance. It was something she didn’t have to share with her husband or her children or anyone else. This is a legacy of happiness, and I will not sell it off to the highest bidder just so I can fatten my stock portfolio.”
“You don’t even have a portfolio,” Dev muttered.
Bailey jabbed a finger in the air. “That’s what I hate! I want my sister back—the one who went to lunch with us and admitted she had issues. Not this snarky, defensive woman who has so many walls I can’t get through. Why do you have to pretend to know everything? Please, Dev. Let’s keep the house and we can figure out logistics later. If you want help with the maintenance or finances, I’ll give it to you. Please don’t sell Mom’s house.”
The raw emotion in her sister’s voice hit her full force. Dev froze, staring into those pleading bright blue eyes, and her heart cracked open. It was the first time she realized Bailey needed this for much more than a place to crash or a summer vacation. She believed it was one of the best parts of Mom.