Page 35 of Reuniting with Lucy

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner,” he said. “I do trust you.”

It stung, but when she thought about it, decided it wasn’t that big a deal. If she put herself in his shoes, she probably would have done the same thing. The whole situation was actually a lot like what she’d just done to Jack’s parents by not telling them outright she was the owner of The Drip—a small lie of omission to see how they would react. Jack’s family was no doubt constantly on watch for those looking to take advantage.

“It’s fine,” she said. “So you’re freaking loaded. Doesn’t change anything for me. Except I won’t feel bad about ordering the steak from now on.” She smiled.

“Technically, I’m only rich on paper,” he said. “I don’t get a salary from the business or anything. Everything I spend is what I make contracting. So, you know, maybe just the six-ounce steak?”

She laughed. “We can go Dutch for all I care. I’m not dating you for your money, lack of money, or potential to inherit a shit ton of money. I’m dating you because I like you.”

He picked up her hand and leaned in to kiss her. “I know. And I like you too.”

“Wanna come to my place for dessert?”

“Sure. Got any chocolate ice cream?” he said.

“I didn’t mean that kind of dessert. It was a euphemism for something else.” She waggled her eyebrows, and he shot out of his chair.

“In that case, hell, yes.”

He stood, grabbed her hand, and pulled her out of the chair. They drove separately to her house, and he spent the night. It was becoming her new normal, and she liked it. She wondered if or when he’d ever ask about moving in or maybe even getting married. It seemed both too soon and not soon enough. Even though she’d only known him a few weeks, she was ready to commit. She didn’t want to come on too strong, so she decided to just enjoy the journey while waiting for him to catch up.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

It was the Sunday after Thanksgiving, and Lucy had invited Jack to her parents’ house for Sunday dinner. He’d celebrated the holiday and most of the weekend with his family in Wilmington, so this was the first time he’d seen her in days. She sat in the passenger side of his truck, excitedly recounting the story of how Emma’s boyfriend, Dirk, had proposed after Thanksgiving dinner.

“They want to get married as soon as possible,” she said. “Like, as in, my mom is helping them plan the wedding right now. We’re so excited.”

“That’s nuts,” he said. “Why the hurry?”

He caught her shrug out of the corner of his eye but kept his eyes on the road. “I guess when you know it’s right, there’s really no reason to wait,” she said, bordering on defensive.

He felt like this was some sort of test. One he hadn’t studied for and was likely to fail. Marriage wasn’t a topic he wanted to discuss. Now or ever. He’d been there, done that, and was in no hurry to try again.

“This is a nice neighborhood,” Jack said, hoping she’d let him change the subject.

“Yeah, I’ve always loved it. All the houses on the left overlook the river. My dream home is just up the street. Wanna see it?”

They passed a couple of driveways before she pointed to a large brick Victorian home with a towering turret on one side. He turned into the driveway.

“Why this house?” he asked. “As opposed to all the others in the neighborhood?”

“Well, I haven’t seen the views fromeveryhouse on the street, but this one is spectacular. Kate had an open house here about two years ago and thought it was so awesome, she texted all of us to come and check it out. The moment I walked in, I fell in love. Kate wanted to include sunrise pictures in the listing photos, and I came with her to take them. It was spectacular.”

“Wow, you’re serious about this,” he said, backing out of the driveway.

“I swore to myself if it ever came on the market again, I would buy it,” she said. “Don’t ask me how, but I’d do it.”

“You’d be okay living practically next door to your parents?”

“Oh, yes. We’re a tight-knit group. Some would say too close,” she said. “We do dinners every Sunday and see each other sporadically during the week. Add in birthdays and holidays, and we girls might as well move home.”

“That sounds nice. For you, I mean. I don’t think I could live so close to my family.”

“You haven’t said much about your time at home. How was it?”

“The usual. It was fun catching up with my brother and my uncle’s family. Conversations with my parents tend to go in circles nowadays, plus we just saw them last week, so I avoided being alone with them.”

“Your dad talk to you about taking over?”

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