Page 31 of Instinct & New Identity

“Ellie andJackare going over toWade’sparents’ house for most of the day but said they all might swing by for a bit,”Itold her. “Archeris coming, andRuthieandAxelmight come too since neither have any family here.”

“That sounds fun,” she replied. “AtleastI’llknow some more people then.”

We continued on with various topics, and she mentioned she loved my loft and hoped to find something in a similar part of town that was close to the pub forVal.

“I’m glad you like it, though it’s just a holding point for me until my house is built,”Isaid.

“You’re building a house?”Shelooked at me with excitement and wonder in her eyes, andIfound myself really excited to tell her about my place, even though very few people knew about it.

“About a year ago,Archerfound this old horse ranch not far from here that was being sold,”Itold her. “Itsits on eight acres, so we planned to split the property and give ourselves roughly four acres each.We’llbe close, but not that close.”

I felt a sense of pride asIexplained my plan to her. “Archerhas already begun construction on his, and it’s coming along quickly, butIhaven’t yet broken ground becauseIhaven’t finalized the layout and design.”

“Because it’s a slow process, or because you can’t make up your mind?” she asked.

I explained to her thatIwanted another set of eyes on a few aspects of the house, but my mom and sister were too opinionated, and their opinions didn’t necessarily line up with mine.Mydad was also no help since he kept telling me the house didn’t matter as long as the furniture was comfortable.

She laughed and nodded. “Idon’t know if our opinions would match either, butI’mhappy to look if you want me to,” she said, and oddly,Ifound myself wanting to know her thoughts on it.Ihad this weird desire for her to like it and be comfortable there.

“There’s also the original house on the property, too.It’sa smallerCraftsmanranch and closer to the main road, but comfortable.It’sin decent shape, andJackoffered to buy it from us.Hewants something with good bones that he can fix up but also good enough already that he can move into right away.Thathouse is definitely dated, but he could easily move into tomorrow.”

“So, are you guys going to let him buy it?” she asked.

“Yeah,”Iconfirmed. “Wehave a lawyer drawing up the paperwork this week.He’shoping to move in beforeChristmas.”

“That would be nice.Wheredoes he live now?”

“In one of the two apartments above the security office.WadeandEllielive in the other.Jackclaims he can’t live there anymore because hearingWadeand his sister go at it like rabbits is not conducive to his sanity,”Iexplained, and she threw her head back and laughed.

God,Iwanted to kiss her in that moment.Shewas pretty just as she was, sitting there, but when she laughed, she was stunning.Withher head tilted back like that,Iwould have easy access to the soft skin of her neck.Icould kiss my way up to her jawline while running my hands through what looked like the softest hairI’dever seen.

“What is that look for?” she asked, jolting me out of my thoughts.

“You’re beautiful when you laugh,”Itold her, and her face started to turn pink.

“Oh, um, thanks,” she replied and looked down into her lap.

Realizing my feelings may not be reciprocated,Ichanged topics.

“What’s your favorite movie?”

“My favorite movie?Hmmm,” she said, then paused to think. “Iknow it’s older, butIreally likeBackto theFuture.Andall of theHarryPottermovies.Thoughsaying that, it’s a good thingIwatched the movies first and then read the books becauseIthink ifIhad read the books first, the movies would not have lived up to them.”

“Fair,”Isaid, chuckling, and enjoying this carefree side of her. “Inever read the books, but the movies were good.”

“What about you?” she asked.

“Easy,StarWars.Allof them, but the first one is my favorite.”

“I’ve actually never seen those.”

“Wait... you've never seenStarWars?”Iasked her with whatIwas sure was a shocked look on my face. “I’mpretty sure a million nerds just suddenly cried out in horror.”

She laughed, holding her hand to her chest. “I’msorry for the apparent horror thatIhave caused you.”

I nodded and accepted her apology.

“Aha!Thenew plan.”Isnapped my fingers, my eyes widening.

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