Page 3 of Wanting You

“Thanks, Abby! Ever since moving from my apartment and into the house, things are still a little sparse. I’d love to look for some new stuff for it.” Glancing at a few dresses as she made her way over to Abby, she smiled. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had to buy any furniture, and I’m not sure what exactly I’m looking for, but it can’t hurt to look, right?

“Ooh…I didn’t know you bought a house! How exciting! We moved into our first place last year and I love it. We lived in apartments for the last ten years, so it was a real treat to be in a house of our own. You’re going to love it.”

“Well, I’m just renting it for now,” Chloe replied. “My cousin Marissa, well…she’s actually my cousin’s wife, but I consider her to be my cousin too…she convinced me to rent first while I figure out my finances so I can make an offer to buy.”

“Marissa handled our house too! We adore her. I’m sure she’ll help you find some great financing deals. What kind of house are you looking for? Or did you mean you were going to buy the one you’re renting?”

“Um…”

“Who’s buying a house?” someone called out from the back room.

Chloe looked around for a moment and then spotted her friend MacKenzie Holland walking toward her. “MacKenzie! Hey!”

They hugged for a moment before MacKenzie pulled back and gave her a huge smile. “You’re house hunting? Why didn’t you mention it the other day when we were hanging out?”

“Oh, uh…it’s actually the house I’m renting. Ultimately, I’d love to buy it. Renting first seemed like a way of testing the waters and all that. Marissa thinks I can get financing because I’m a teacher, but I’m afraid to take that step.”

MacKenzie’s eyes went wide. “Wow, seriously? This is huge! And, no offense, a little out of character for you. I never pegged you for wanting to take on such a big responsibility.”

With a small shrug, she said, “I never thought I would either, but the apartment walls were closing in on me. It was time for a change. I know we’ve talked about that.”

“Devin and I were talking about looking at houses just the other day. His place is awesome, and he’s put a ton of work into it, but it’s small if we decide to start a family right away.”

All Chloe could do was nod.

Another person living the dream while I’m basically house hunting solo…

“From everything he’s told me, Sweetbriar Auto Care has doubled its profits this year,” MacKenzie went on. “I love working with him and being a part of the success—even though I’ve only been there for less than six months—but I’d like to find something of my own so I can contribute to a house. You know, when the time comes.”

Yeah, MacKenzie was still new around here, but she totally fit. It had practically been love at first sight for her and Devin, and they’d been inseparable from the moment they met.

The sigh was out before she could stop it, but fortunately that’s when Abby came over to show them both a beautiful beaded purse she was about to put on display. If there was one thing Chloe had gotten good at this last year, it was smiling even when she didn’t feel like it. She was always optimistic and always the first one to offer congratulations or an encouraging word. Basically, she was a happy person.

It just felt like more of an effort lately.

“Hey, any chance you’re free for lunch?” she asked MacKenzie.

Her friend smiled as she studied her. “Wasn’t Evan supposed to be here this weekend?”

Inwardly, she groaned. “It’s a long, boring story. How about we talk about it over lunch?”

“Absolutely! But let’s shop first!”

“We’re sorry, but the position has been filled.”

Tanner Westyn forced himself to smile—even though it was a phone conversation—and thanked the woman for her time.

Right before he threw his phone down hard on his sofa and began to pace.

Seriously, how was it this difficult to find a job he was qualified for? It had been three months and not one teaching position had opened up for him.

Okay, that was kind of a lie. Technically, several positions were available; they just weren’t what he was looking for. People had warned him it might be like this, but he’d been too arrogant—some would say mildly cocky—to believe them. He’d never had a problem achieving a goal before, and he’d be damned if that was going to start now.

As if on cue, his father walked into the room. “So? How’d the interview go? Did you wow them?”

For a moment, Tanner pinched the bridge of his nose while he silently told himself not to snap. Letting out a long breath, he turned and faced his father. “Actually, Dad, the position was already filled.”

With little more than a nod, Nate Westyn went and made himself a fresh cup of coffee before coming back and joining Tanner. “Where’s the next school on the list?”

---