Page 59 of Love You
Win suspected it would be tough for Reggie to part with the place, given all the memories it held of his late wife. It needed a good steward, someone who would preserve the place. Keep it happy. Win jogged down the mammoth pine staircase. He could’ve spent all day here but he knew Darcy had to get back to GA.
“What kind of price are you thinking, Reggie?” Win probably should’ve done some research before coming but it had all been pretty spur of the moment. If the deal with FlashTag didn’t happen this could be pie in the sky.
“Well”—Reggie rubbed his hands down the legs of his jeans—“I don’t really know. I guess I need to sit down with someone and find that out. Why don’t I get back to you with a number?”
“Sounds good.” Win took another visual spin around the great room, took in the big stone fireplace that reminded him of the one at GA, and got a business card out of his wallet. “My cell’s on that.”
Reggie walked them to the door and called Oscar inside.
“Thanks for letting us see it. You’ve got a hell of place here.” Win put his hand at the small of Darcy’s back and they got in the Jeep.
“Tell Hilde I said hi,” Reggie called.
They drove up the long driveway, past the chainsaw bear. Upon reaching River View, he said, “Well?”
“Well, what?”
“You’re killing me here, Darcy. Jeez, why do you think I brought you? So, what did you think of it?”
“It’s nice. I was trying to be noncommittal . . . you know, in case you want to dicker with him.”
“But you liked it, right?” Win got onto the main road and headed back to downtown Glory Junction.
“It needs a lot of work but yeah.”
“Wow, I wouldn’t want you to go out on a limb or anything.”
“Oh, for God’s sake, I loved it. If I could afford it I’d buy it myself. I just don’t want to get your hopes up because even I know that place is worth a mint. Watch out for that guy in front of you. He keeps braking.”
Win shot her a look. “Did you used to side-seat drive with Lewis?”
“Why do you have to bring him into the picture?”
“Because I like bugging you.” He put his Ray-Bans back on because the glare from the sun was making it hard to see, especially out of one eye. “You talk to Geneva today?”
“Not yet. I don’t want to do it at work.”
“You didn’t call me,” he said.
“Was I supposed to?” She tilted her head, confused.
“For phone sex, remember?” He couldn’t help himself.
“What I remember is you kicking me out of your bed.” She feigned interest in the highway, which wasn’t the least bit interesting.
“That’s because I’m saving myself for marriage. But phone sex is fine. You and I”—he waved his hand between them—“could do that.” This was payback for her not saying anything about his house. Christ, he was already calling it his house.
She twisted in the passenger seat to face him. “What do you think would’ve happened if we’d been alone the other night when you and I . . . you know?”
“Who can say? We got pretty carried away. I may have made a promise to God and country to keep it in my pants but a man can only take so much.”
“Are you ever serious?” she snapped.
“Are you ever not serious?”
“Let me ask you something.” She paused, taking time to consider her question. “Do you find me attractive?”
He answered without hesitation. “Yes. But only when you’re not side-seat driving.”
