Page 101 of The Perfect Love

“It is. It was my dad’s dream house. They’d been saving for years, and it wasn’t going to be on this big of a piece of property, but they’d already had plans drawn up. They’d been dreaming of it together since before I was even born. My dad wanted enough room so my grandparents could live here after they retired if they wanted, or so I could live here with my family one day. He loved the idea of multi-generational living and that kind of family structure. My mom liked it too and wanted something private and safe. When he died and we got all the money that was somehow supposed to take his place, she built his dream house.”

My heart shatters for him—for his mom.

I know Trevor would rather live in a shack if he could still have his dad with him.

I run my hand up his arm. “Well, I’m excited to get to know more about him from his dream house.”

Trevor lets out a soft sigh as he parks the car. “Thank you.”

I don’t bother to ask what for. I know why he’s thanking me—for understanding that as much as he loves his home, there’s a part of him that hurts because of it. “Don’t thank me for being here for you.”

He leans in to kiss me, but sighs and hangs his head before he gets there.

“What?”

“You might regret being here for me in a couple of minutes.”

“Why?” I ask, biting back a laugh.

“Because we’ve already got a stalker.”

He flings his door open, and as I open mine, I look over at the house in time to see someone moving away from the window.

Trev grabs our bags, then leads the way up to the front porch and swings the front door open.

“Having fun, creeper?” he says.

“I’m not trying to be creepy. I’m just excited to meet—”

He cuts Hyla off as I walk through the door. “Chelsea. This is Hyla, the reason for most of my insanity.” I laugh when she sticks her tongue out at him. “Hyla, this is Chelsea. The reason I sound less like a grumpy asshole these days.”

“You only pretend to be grumpy.” Then I turn to Hyla, nerves swimming in my gut. She’s a little taller than me and thin with long blond hair, a bright smile, and mischievous eyes. I want her to like me. So I say the truth. “Hi. I’m not sure exactly what to say. This feels like it could be weird, but I don’t want it to be.”

She sighs in relief. “Me either. So I’m just going to decide we’re best friends now, okay?”

I laugh as relief washes over me. “I’m down.”

Then Hyla wraps me in a massive hug before looping an arm through mine and guiding me farther into the living room.

“Is Trevor behaving himself while he’s away at school?” she asks.

I smile and say, “Define behaving.”

Behind us, Trevor groans, making Hyla and me laugh more.

“She’s here!” Hyla yells.

“We.Weare here,” Trevor mutters.

Hyla waves a hand. “We’ve had you for twenty-one years. We’re over you now. You’re washed up. Old and stinky.”

“I’m not stinky.” He pokes her in the ribs.

She sticks her tongue out as footsteps sound, then a woman dashes from a hallway leading to the other side of the house.

“Where? Gimme!”

Hyla shakes her head and laughs as Trevor’s mom runs over to us. She’s wearing leggings and a sweater and has medium-length dark blond hair. And a smile just like Trevor’s.

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