Page 101 of Housebroke

“Just about.”

“Where are you off to next?”

“I’m... not sure. Maybe I’ll hang out here for a while.”

Eugene looked surprised. “No shit. You like Orlando that much?”

“It’s nice here and I can’t complain about the weather.”

Eugene gave him a wry smile. “Or maybe it’s the company you’re keeping?”

“Maybe.”

“How is Hazel?”

“She’s good. What are you up to? Designing a new, previously unknown way to play video games?”

“Actually, I might have something bigger in the pipeline. That’s why I’m calling. I wanted to get your feel for Orlando. For the real estate out there.”

This was a surprise. “You’re thinking of moving out here?”

“I have a tasty job offer that might be too good to pass up.”

“No shit. Tell me about it.”

“Can’t just yet. Not until I sign on the dotted line. But if I do, it’s a five-year contract and I’m not going to do that in a rental.”

“Ah. So you want to purchase property. I just happen to have a house that’s almost ready to go on the market.”

He laughed. “Maybe. Is it a nice house?”

“It’s a perfect house.” Linc told him about it.

“Sounds great. But I have specific needs that don’t come with most houses.”

“Like what? A sex dungeon?”

Eugene snorted. “No. Just a lot of tech stuff. And a soundproof room.”

“Huh. Well, not sure this house could accommodate that, but the pool is nice.”

“Good to know. But you’d look around for something for me?”

“Hell, if I do end up staying here, I’ll renovate it for you. How much fun would that be? The two of us together again?”

Eugene laughed. “I can’t say I’d hate that. One of the biggest drawbacks to taking this job would be leaving Mom. And Warren. And pretty much everyone I know. Not that I like you or anything, but it’d be nice to have family nearby.”

“Yeah, it sure would. Have you talked about it with Mom and Warren yet?”

He shook his head. “Not until I know more. But you know how Mom is. She’s big on all of us having our own independent lives, even if she misses us when we’re not around.”

“That’s what airplanes are for, Euge.”

“Yeah.”

“Let me know as soon as you decide, okay?”

“Will do. Gotta go.”

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