Page 27 of Out of Bounds
Chapter10
Bree
I’m late heading to the barbeque but I walk with a bounce in my step as I get out of my car.
I just saw the house.
The house in Pine Valley and it wasbeautiful. The place is only under offer because the floor needs to be restored on the left side of the house and the grounds revamped. That’s it. I can work with that.
Shelby and I did a grand tour, and it took a little over three hours because the agent allowed us time to frolic on the grounds of the property. And frolic we did.
I’ve never felt so close to owning anything before in my life and this is a home I’m buying to turn into a business. If I do get it, I think I’d still want to keep my apartment but now I’ve been there I’m not sure.
I’m a firm a believer in not mixing work with my home life, but that might be the exception.
The only thing left to do now is to get it.
I put my name down and my offer for three hundred thousand. If I get it, I’ll have the deposit ready for the mortgage and I’d just need to speak to the bank.
The realtor told me there were ten people who’d applied, and we were the last to view the property. She liked us but it’s not up to her. The owner has that final say and they’re interested in whoever offers the most.
My worry is the place would have attracted people who were already looking to spend a million dollars and my meagre offer will look like exactly that. Meagre.
It doesn’t matter.
I have my fingers crossed.
What matters is that I’ve done it and it’s something to hope for.
I glance at my watch and quicken my pace when I see it’s ten thirty.
I am beat. I just want to lay my head on my pillow and dream of owning the Pine Valley house, but I needed to be here for Logan and Quinn. They’ve been looking forward to today for a long time.
The traffic coming back into this side of town was horrendous so I’m more than two hours late and the party started late anyway to accommodate everyone’s work schedule. It also started late to account for everyone who’s going to Vegas tomorrow.
When I get to the corner of the house laughter greets me. Everyone’s here. A few steps closer and I could be transported right back to high school.
Logan stands with his friends: Ethan, Bryce, Denver, and a few others I recognize from school.
There’s also family dotted here and there like Logan’s father and sister. Quinn’s birth mother, Heather, is here too with her husband and Quinn’s half-brothers.
Heather is standing by the barbeque with a chef’s hat on her head and an apron with the slogan- Kiss the Cook. She’s preparing another round of burgers.
Quinn is with our friends: Mary, Tennessee, and Clarissa.
Everyone has a drink of some kind in their hands, and they all look like their having fun. I love barbeques at night there’s a certain homey feel to them.
I hold the little cheesecake I picked up closer to my chest and make my way over to the girls.
When I get closer Ethan looks my way. He doesn’t smile but he dips his head and I do the same.
Bryce sees me too and eyes me with open admiration.
I look away at that point, from both of them. Both mystified me. Bryce was never as bad as Ethan in the past so years ago when he asked me out, I agreed to go out on a date. I thought he liked me so we planned a second date but the asshole stood me up.
The excuse he gave weeks later about his car breaking down and losing my number was so lame I just called him out on his bullshit and walked away. We haven’t seen each other much since and I don’t talk to him if I can help it. Pretty much like the rest of them.
Quinn smiles when she sees me, and she rushes over to me. She knew I was going to be looking at the house.
