Page 51 of Keepsake

We walked around. I pointed out the changes, the walls we had to knock down, the room’s positions, and the ideas for a common area. Finally, I brought her to a very barren back lawn.

She smiled. “I always wanted a big backyard.”

“You live in a penthouse.”

She hugged her midsection, lifting one shoulder. “I know. I liked the view, and it was one of those properties that when it’s on the market you have to be quick.”

I nodded. “I get that. But a house is what you want?”

“She sighed. “I think kids need space, don’t you?”

She turned to me, her head a little tilted because of our height difference.

I really liked her like that. Her nose was a little red from standing in the cold, her cheeks rosy, too. Since Logan got a smile out of Lachlan, a weight had dissolved off her shoulders.

And relaxed, Logan was just…

Breathtaking.

I cleared my throat, looking away. “You can get a house, if you want a house.”

She nodded but said nothing. Eventually, she ran out of time. “Thank you for showing me around. I’ll see you tonight.”

I kept my eyes on the barren yard, refusing to watch her go.

“Oh hey, Dustin, see you soon.”

Of course, he was around. Knowing what waited for me, I turned to catch my business partner holding a disposable cup full of steamy coffee and that annoying smirk of his.

“What?” I made the mistake of asking.

He smiled. “You want to fuck your sister’s best friend.”

Ileftthejobearly.

I don’t want to fuck my sister’s best friend.I said it to myself while I started the car and negotiated the streets.

It wasn’t just the memory of Sofia standing between us. Everything about this situation was unusual and difficult.

There were kids in our lives that weren’t mine. My mother pressuring Logan and…

She was young.

Sure, she was thirty years old, but sometimes I looked at Logan and she seemed so fucking young. Happy, trying her best and thinking that was enough to prevent the world from chewing her up.

Maybe I was jaded, but I couldn’t be that optimistic anymore. Logan could say whatever she wanted, but that girl was walking and talking hope. She wanted a happy ending, and I was everything but.

“How’s it going Andrew?” I passed the doorman.

“Great, Mr. Castillo.” He nodded and called the elevator before I could even make it across the atrium.

“I told you to call me Alvaro.”

He nodded in acceptance as the elevator doors opened. I knew he was going to call me Mr. Castillo again tomorrow, but I was going to try until he could say it.

With a last wave, I used the keycard and ascended to the penthouse, my body still buzzing with something.

The house was empty, kids probably at school, and Logan was busy with something or other.

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