Page 161 of Promising You

It’s definitely an expensive neighborhood. Carson’s mom is a trauma nurse and his dad is a doctor so I know they’re rich. Not Kensington rich but richer than most people.

“These houses all look new,” I say. “When did you move here?”

“In January. My parents couldn’t take being in the old house after my sister died. Too many memories.” Carson turns into the driveway of a two-story house with a dark gray exterior and pulls into the three-car garage.

As soon as we’re parked, a woman comes into the garage from the house. She has straight, dark-brown hair that hits just above her shoulders. She’s taller than me, maybe 5’8, and thin. She has a pretty face and doesn’t wear much makeup; just a little blush and some mascara.

“You must be Jade.” She smiles and comes over to hug me. I just got used to people I know hugging me, so having a stranger hug me is a little much. But she doesn’t linger. She moves on to Carson and gives him a hug.

“Hi, honey. I’m glad you’re home. We’ve missed you.”

“Where’s dad?”

“He went down to the bakery to grab some donuts.” She comes over to me again. “This bakery down the street has the best pastries. Let’s go inside. I’ve got some coffee brewing.”

“Um, I was going to help Carson get his stuff from the car.”

She holds the door open. “He’s a big boy. He can handle it. Let me show you around.”

We go inside and Judy gives me a quick tour of the house. It’s big, but feels homey. The walls are all painted in warm, rich colors. The kitchen walls are red, the dining room is dark beige, and the living room is a light chocolate brown. The furniture all looks soft and comfy. An oversized couch covered in a navy blue fabric sits in the living room across from a flat-screen TV and a stone fireplace.

As she leads me back to the kitchen I glance around, noticing all the family photos everywhere. In the hallway there are photos of Carson at different ages, along with a girl who I assume is his now deceased sister.

This house is such a stark contrast to Garret’s house, which is all white. Cold, white tile floors. Stiff, white furniture. Empty white walls. There is only one family photo at the Kensington house and it’s a professionally taken photo where the four of them are all dressed in—you guessed it—white. I’d never want to live in Garret’s house but I’d love to live in this house. I’ve only been here a few minutes and I already feel comfortable.

CHAPTERTHIRTY-EIGHT

“Have a seat.”Judy points to the tall chairs that line the kitchen island. “Cream and sugar or just black?” She hands me a big ceramic mug filled with coffee.

“Cream, please.”

She reaches in the stainless steel fridge and pulls out the pint of half and half. “We’ll eat in a few minutes, as soon as my husband gets back. Everything’s ready. I’m just keeping it warm in the oven.”

Carson walks in loaded up with luggage. “Did she give you the tour?”

“Not all of it,” Judy answers. “I didn’t show her the basement.”

“Come on, Jade. Let’s go downstairs. You’ve gotta see this.”

I’m not sure what’s so great about a basement, but I follow him anyway, taking my coffee with me.

I see why he likes it. The basement looks like a sports bar. On one end there’s a small kitchen with a tall counter and six barstools. Red glass pendant lights hang above the counter and there are two TVs hung on the wall, I’m guessing so you can watch multiple sporting events at once.

In the middle of the room is a pool table and next to that is a big, wraparound couch in a bright red fabric that faces a massive flat-screen TV. Carson turns it on and sound booms from speakers mounted in the ceiling.

“Pretty cool, right?” he says. “And of course they get this after I go to college.”

I follow him down a hallway that leads to his bedroom. I wait outside the door as he walks past me into the room.

“You can come in,” he says, putting his suitcase on the bed. “I only spent a couple nights in this room and then I left for college so it doesn’t have that lived-in look yet.”

I remain at the door and check out his room. It’s painted a grayish-blue color and he has a king-size bed covered in a dark gray comforter and neon green throw pillows. It’s masculine, but you can tell his mom decorated it. The colors all coordinate and everything’s neatly organized. Across from the bed is a desk and bookcase which has some trophies and medals on it.

“Anyway, that’s the tour.” He meets me back at the door. “Let’s go upstairs and eat.”

We go back to the kitchen to find the entire length of the island covered in food. Pancakes, scrambled eggs, hash browns, bacon, fresh fruit, and baskets filled with baked goods.

“Ready to eat?” Judy asks.

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