Page 101 of Only Ever You

“I hear you’ve got a handsome new neighbour.”

Resisting an eye-roll, I move to the next shelf.

“I also hear he paid a lot for that house. Gabrielle Larsen was very happy.”

I come to a halt—my arm in midair as I’m reaching for the breakfast cereal.

Wait. What?

“He did what?” I drop my arm and turn back toward Mrs Lewis.

“She was in here crowing about it. The first offer was for well over the last valuation, and when they refused it, he offered even more. It was just too hard for them to turn down.”

It takes me a moment to process what she’s said.

“Deacon bought the house?”

She gives me a smug smile. “He’s already introduced himself? Sounds like a winner to me. Maybe he can help you get over that idiot who jilted you.”

I scrub my face with my right hand. “He is the idiot who jilted me.”

Her eyes widen.

Oh. I shouldn’t have said that.

By the end of the day, all the locals will know.

“He must be pretty set on winning you back then.”

I shrug. “I guess.”

Why would Deacon have bought the house? I assumed the Larsens had rented it to him in some kind of Airbnb situation, but buying it? The man has more money than sense.

Now I need to talk to him again. Forget waiting for dinner.

I dash through the store, grabbing what I need—hell, I’m sure I’ve forgotten half of it.

Mrs Lewis smiles knowingly at me as I make a mad dash out the door and run to the car. I’m not sure why I’m running. It’s not like Deacon’s going anywhere.

After dropping off the groceries, I race across the sand to the other house again before hammering on the door until I hear a sound inside.

“Just a minute,” he calls.

The door swings open.

Oh my.

He’s fresh out of the shower, a blue towel wrapped around his waist and nothing else. He always looks so good.

“Pippa? You’re here.” The breath he lets out is audible, like he’s relieved to see me. “Two visits in one day. How did I get to be so lucky?”

“Is it true? You bought the house?”

He beams that blinding smile at me. “I did. How did you …?

“Mrs Lewis at the store told me. Why?”

Holding up a finger, he turns back into the house. “Just give me a minute to finish getting dressed and we’ll talk.”

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