Page 165 of Messy Strokes (Wrecked Roommates)

“I already told you. It’s a surprise.”

“Well, yeah. But––”

“Stop asking questions. We’re almost there.”

“Almostwhere?”

His glare makes me snap my mouth shut, and I fold my arms and stick out my lower lip.

“Party pooper,” I grumble.

Pulling up a short driveway with trimmed green grass framing both sides, he puts his Subaru into park and turns to me.

“You gonna pout? Or are we gonna go inside?”

“Inside…this?” I wave my hand at the adorable, white two-story home in front of us with giant windows and red tulips popping out of the rich dirt-filled flower beds.

“Yes.”

“Oookaaay?” We both climb outside as I continue to eye the foreign house warily.

“Is this Jos’s house or something?” I question when he rounds the front of the car with Penny on his hip.

“You’ve been to Jos’s place.”

“Yeah, but wasn’t he thinking of moving? Maybe this is hisnewhouse.”

“No.”

“Okay, then. Is it––”

“Stop asking questions, and get your ass inside,” he orders, all bark and no bite.

Sticking my tongue out at him, I sway toward the black front door, lifting my hand to knock as he sidles up next to me and twists the door handle.

“Milo––”

“Get inside, Mads.”

“This isn’t our house. We can’t walk in––”

“Get in the house,” he repeats, shoving the front door open.

With a huff, I step inside and slip off my shoes, inspecting the gorgeous maple-colored hardwood floor and white walls. There’s an amazing stone fireplace in the center of the family room and high, drool-worthy vaulted ceilings. Seriously. It’s gorgeous. I’d be surprised if it wasn’t featured in a magazine at one point.

“What do you think?” Milo asks from behind me.

“I think it’s beautiful. But you still haven’t answered my question.” I turn around and face him as he sets Penny down and pats her bum. She takes off crawling like a champ, eager to explore the random, absolutely breathtaking house.

“There’s a shed out back,” he informs me.

“And?”

“And I was thinking I could use it for my studio.”

With a gasp, I cover my mouth and try not to get my hopes up. “Milo…?”

He pulls me into him, rubbing his hand up and down my back. “Yes, Mads?”

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