Page 69 of Bought
“It’s actually an interesting story,” Cleo says. “I’ve been researching the history of the house, and apparently, during the Depression and over the decades, many families chose to, or needed to, sell off parts of their land to someone who then built a new house on it. This house spans three lots. A rarity within Forest Hills, even, not just the city.”
“We’re lucky.” Cleo looks down, thinking about the Village, I’m sure, and how grateful she is to be back in the city.
“We are lucky,” Blaze says, reaching over and taking her hand. “In every kind of way.”
“Except for what happened to your Village,” Cass interjects. “That was terrible. Is it just you guys in the city now? I thought there were tons of Bachman?”
“Cass…” I don’t even know how to control her anymore.
“It’s okay, Erin,” Blaze answers. “It was safer to move as many out as we could for now. We have lawyers living at The West,”—a tower of apartments on the West side—“helping us figure out the business side of recovery, and then a group of single brothers dispersed through the city…” he finishes by saying, “working on the ground level stuff.”
“Single brothers!” Cass turns to Cleo. “And are they as hot as these two?
Cleo blushes. “Bachman men are known for being handsome.” She peeks at Blaze, saying, “But I’m partial to one.”
Blaze gives his wife the sexiest wink. Those two are so cute together. I ache with jealousy.
“Tell me where you’re hiding them,” Cass says.
“We’d have to kill you,” Blaze jokes.
“Believe me, someone already tried.” Cass rolls her eyes. “And I have the wheelchair to prove it. No, thank you.”
A heavy silence comes over the room. Cass takes a sip of her water.
“Can I ask, what happened?” Cleo asks her.
“Not on our first date, Cleo. You’ll have to work harder than that.” Cass laughs. “Now, did I see a bottle of wine somewhere?”
Ah, my sister.
“I’ll grab another one.” Cleopatra smiles sweetly, utterly unfazed by my sister. She puts a hand on Cass’s shoulder. “White or red?”
“White, please.”
Falcon and Ryan return with a massive platter of juicy steaks. “We’ve got the meat!” Ryan announces proudly.
“Ryan’s back. No more real talk,” I whisper to Cass. She nods.
“I think we have everything. Wait. I forgot something in the foyer!” Sharon quickly heads to the front of the house. Everyone settles in her absence, and the meat passes around the table.
Falcon places a smaller steak on her plate while she's away. “This one’s for my girl.”
Sharon then returns with the flowers I brought, now beautifully arranged in a large, clear glass vase. “I love this bouquet! Thank you for bringing them. I never think to buy fresh flowers.”
She proudly places them in the center of the table.
Falcon’s eyes immediately go red, his face starting to swell. “Are there Peruvian lilies in that bouquet?” he asks me.
“Oh no! Oh my gosh. I have no idea. I didn’t even think to ask if your family had allergies!” I push back my chair and go to grab the vase to take it away.
“Who would? It’s flowers, not food.” Falcon laughs, dabbing at his eyes with his napkin. He clears his throat.
I lunge for the vase.
Sharon beats me to it. “I’ve got it, honey. I’ll just put these on the screened-in porch. I can enjoy them with my coffee in the morning.” She pats Falcon’s shoulder lovingly as she goes. “Been married to you twice, and I’m still learning new things about you, babe.” She flips the switch on the wall as she leaves, sending the wooden fan above us spinning to bring in fresh air. “I guess it’s good I never buy flowers!”
“Married twice?” Cass whispers to me.
