Page 2 of Love Me Ever After
Luke came out of his room, thankfully dressed in boxers and a hoodie this time. “Morning. Sleep okay?”
I snorted. “What do you think?”
He took Tasha’s place at the breakfast bar, eyes focused on the surface where he scratched a small scuff with his nail. “Tasha and I have been talking, I think we’re ready to take things to the next level, so she’s going to move in here, permanently.”
I practically spat out my too-hot coffee. “Really? I didn’t know it was that serious between the two of you. When I went away, you weren’t even sure you liked her.”
Luke shrugged. “Yeah, we were on and off for a bit at first.” He ran a rueful hand through his hair and made it stand on end. “But these past few months have been great.” He glanced at me, a shy smile like I’d never seen before growing across his face. Christ, it must be serious. “We’re happy.”
“Congrats, buddy. I’m pleased for you.” I nodded, shifting a little and cleared my throat. “Although, you okay with me crashing on the couch for a bit longer while I try to find a place? I wouldn’t want to get in the way of your love palace.” I blew out a laugh.
Luke fidgeted with the cereal packet on the counter. “We might have sorted that out for you too.”
“How does that work then? You got an estate agent gig on the side?” I arched a brow and sipped my black coffee—rank stuff.
He held his hands up, palms forward, “Okay, here me out, so, Tasha lives in a house share in the centre of town with a couple of other girls. When she moves in here, her room there will be available. You could have first dibs on it.”
Two women? With me? Given my single status, there’d be no harm finding out more. “And… Where do I sign?” I shot him a cheeky grin and rolled my hand to ask for more information.
“You might not want to know when I tell you who her housemates are.”
“How bad can it be?” I shrugged. “I’m sure Tasha has great housemates.”
“She does.” Luke nodded.
“Then what’s the problem?” Honestly, if he kept me in the dark for much longer, I was going to think I could be living with a couple of serial killers. Little did I know that might have been the better option.
“So one of them is Sara.”
The name rang a bell somewhere in the back of my brain, but I couldn’t immediately place it. “Okay. Go on.”
Luke drummed his fingers on the counter, prolonging the agony. “And the other one is Ems.”
With my mouth open, I wondered if I’d heard him right. “Ems? As in Ems, my ex?”
Slowly, he nodded.
“Fuck,” I breathed.
Tasha poked her head out of the bedroom. “Have you told him yet? I didn’t hear any doors slamming?”
“Yeah, he’s told me.” There was no way on earth I could rock up at Ems’s place and move all my stuff in. When I’d told her that I was leaving for New York, I’d found out she was expecting me to ask us to move in together instead. Talk about awkward. I looked between Luke and Tasha. “Look, thanks for trying, guys. Not sure that’s going to work though. I’ll just keep looking for somewhere else.”
“Really?” Tasha pouted. “I thought it would be perfect.”
“You’ve spoken to Ems about it then?” I tilted my head, knowing full well she hadn’t. If she had, I doubted the suggestion would ever have come anywhere near me.
She chewed on her bottom lip. “Not exactly. I did say I’d be moving out but thought I had the perfect replacement.”
I almost laughed out loud. “Not going to happen.”
“Look, why don’t I give you Sara’s number anyway? You could call her if you change your mind.” Tasha made grabby hands at my phone.
Reluctantly, I unlocked it and handed the phone over, waiting while Tasha put in Sara’s details. While she was doing so, it pinged with the reminder I had to leave. I downed the last of my coffee, grabbed my jacket, tucked my phone into my laptop bag and waved. “See you guys later.”
Luke and Tasha’s suggestion ate at me all day. I had plenty of time to think on the journey for a client meeting, then on the way back. At the same time, I’d browsed the local Ealynn Sands estate agent sites for rental properties. There wasn’t much around unless I wanted a one-roomed studio near the marina for an extortionate price, or to spend all my salary on a massive property I’d probably only use about three rooms in. It wasn’t even affordable, let alone a practical idea. Maybe I should bite the bullet and call Sara?
But how would Ems react to me moving in? We hadn’t been in touch since I went to New York. Needs must, though.
