SWNOVELS When He Desires: Chapter 11
“We got an offer?!”
“I told you we would.” Nicole, the Kansas City realtor, is now officially my favorite person. “They want to close quickly.”
I press my fingertips to my lips. “I can’t believe it.” We had three more showings in the week and a half since the storm, but I’ve been careful about getting my hopes too high.
“I only brought over buyers who I knew would be genuinely interested. I don’t like to waste anyone’s time, Blake,” she says, matter-of-factly. I’m a little jealous of how much of a boss this woman is. “You should feel proud of the work you did on the house. I have to say, I was impressed with how well you fixed everything up.”
I spin around the living room. It does look great after the fresh coat of paint and getting rid of most of the clutter. I even reorganized my books to have all the spines grouped by color so the living room bookshelf looks like a rainbow.
A grin spreads over my face. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome. I suggest you start packing. Since this is an all-cash offer, everything will move quickly. They’ll transfer the money after the weekend, and you might be out of there in another week.”
There isn’t much I plan on keeping, but packing up the books will take time. It took me years to amass my carefully curated collection. For years, whenever I had any spare money left at the end of the month, that’s where it went. I’m going to store them in a storage unit nearby until I figure out where to settle down.
“That’s perfect. Can I ask who the buyer is?”
“A retired couple from New Jersey. They’re looking to move somewhere quiet but close to their family in the city. Their daughter is pregnant, and they want to be moved in before the baby arrives.”
“That’s amazing. Thank you again.”
“You’re welcome. Happy Thanksgiving. We’ll talk soon.”
I hang up and jump around the house, squealing like a lunatic. It’s finally happening. A few weeks, and I’ll be out of here.
My hands are shaking as I dial Del’s number.
As soon as she picks up, I burst out, “I got an offer!”
“I think you just blew my ear drum.”
“Sorry, I’m just so excited.”
“Um, yes, you should be. Holy shit, congrats!”
I sink down on the couch. “It’s a retired couple with an all-cash offer. Nicole thinks we’ll close in no time.”
“Fuck yes. It’s about time you caught a break.”
“My whole body feels lighter. I think I’ve been carrying a lot of stress.” I roll my shoulders and sigh.
“Working for your ex will do that to you. Not to mention dealing with your new neighbor.“
“Are you fishing for info?”
She laughs. “Of course I am. You haven’t called me in a few days. I want to know what happened after he fixed your fence last week.”
“Nothing.“
“Nothing?”
“Well, he cleared my driveway the day after the blizzard,” I admit.
Del gasps. “Really?”
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I looked out the window the next day and saw it perfectly clean. I almost burst into tears. I’ve been on driveway clearing duty ever since Maxton left, and it felt so nice to have someone do it for me. Frank came to drive me to work the day after since my car was still at Frostbite, and he even commented on what a good job I’d done. For some reason, I didn’t tell him it was actually all Rowan.
“Is it terrible that I haven’t thanked him? I haven’t seen him coming or going since then, so it’s not like I’ve been avoiding him, but still. Should I just go over there when his truck is in the driveway? What do I even say? I came out guns blazing the moment he moved in, and I’ve said some pretty rude things to him, so I feel like a bit of a jerk, but it’s not like he’s an angel. He’s full of himself, and he’s arrogant, and he did sleep with Abigail, we can’t forget that, can we, but he’s got this side to him—’
“Blake, sweetie, take a deep breath.”
I grip my face. “Can we just not talk about him right now? I want to enjoy this moment.”
“You got it. Okay, so what now? Have you decided where you’re going to move to? Please, please, please just come here. We’d have so much fun.”
“I wish. There’s no way I’d be able to afford San Francisco.”
“I know you could find a good job here.”
“Have you forgotten I don’t have a college degree? That makes my job prospects limited.”
Del makes a thoughtful hmm.
I sigh. “I’d love to be closer to you, but I don’t think I’d be able to handle the pressure of trying to survive in such an expensive place. Not right now.”
“I hear you. What are you thinking then?”
“I don’t know. Maybe somewhere in Texas? Now that the house is sorted, I’ll finally have some more time to do the research.”
“Dream big, baby girl. I think you should move to LA and become a model.”
“Have you forgotten I’m five-three?”
“You could be a hand model.”
I look down at the hand that’s not currently holding my phone. “I don’t think so. I haven’t had a manicure in years, and my fingers are kind of stubby.”
Del snorts a laugh. “Okay, I’m just trying to get some ideas going.”
“And I’m grateful, because I really don’t have a clue what I’m going to do.” A flicker of nerves appears in my belly.
“What about that bookstore you’ve always wanted to open?”
“I’d need to save up more money for that.” I scratch the side of my nose. “It feels like a big risk. I think I just want to find a steady job and get settled first wherever it is I end up in.”
“That makes sense. Don’t worry, you’ll figure everything out. Today, you’ve got to celebrate. What are your Thanksgiving plans?”
“I was going to buy a frozen Thanksgiving dinner for one from Hy-Vee and watch a rerun of Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.”
“Gah. Stop. You’re making me depressed. I think you need company. Oh, I know! Go invite Rowan for dinner.”
“Are you crazy?” I glance out the window that faces his front yard. Hold on. “Actually… That’s not a bad idea.”
“I know.”
“He’s probably spending the day alone too. He’s got no family here, and it will give me a chance to repay him for everything he’s done for me before I leave.” It’s been a while since I cooked for more than just me. If I go to the store right now, I should be able to pull something together.
“I’m full of great ideas. Go get ’em, tiger.”
“Love you, bye.”
I’m in such a great mood that I don’t think about it twice. I slip on my Vans, jog over to Rowan’s, and knock on his door.
It’s cold out, so I hop from foot to foot while I wait for him to answer. I should have put my coat on.
Finally, the door opens, and Rowan appears on the other side.
My heart stutters inside my chest. His hair’s wet from a shower, his beard is freshly trimmed, and his eyelashes seem thicker in the afternoon light.
Given that I’m leaving soon, it feels okay to let myself appreciate just how stupidly handsome he is.
He eyes my thin T-shirt for a moment before lifting his gaze to my face.
“Hey. I wanted to—“
He steps aside. “Come in.”
“No, it’s okay, I just stopped by to see if you have plans for Thanksgiving.” My palms slide up and down my arms.
His gaze flashes with irritation. “Where is your coat? Do you want to freeze to death?”
“I’m fine. It’s not that bad.”
He rolls his eyes. “Your lips are turning blue.”
“Oh my God, I just came over to ask…” I get distracted when he starts unzipping his big black hoodie.
“Um, what are you—“
He takes it off, steps closer, and wraps it around my shoulders. “Here.”
Heat spreads through my chest. His hoodie is still warm from him. Still smells like him. My heart ping-pongs inside my chest like it’s itching to burst out. I curl my fingers around the fabric and tug it closer.
“Thanks. Do you want to come over for Thanksgiving dinner?” I say in one breath before I chicken out.
A sexy—I mean, annoying—smirk stretches across his face. “You’re inviting me over?”
“I just thought since we’re both alone, it might be nice to have some company. I owe you for the drive home. And for clearing my driveway,” I add, feeling my cheeks heat.
Standing in only a T-shirt, he braces his palm against the doorjamb. His biceps bulge, the tattoos on his arms shifting with the movement.
I can’t tear my eyes away from them.
“I was going to have dinner with a friend.”
My excitement dims.
Another friend? Jesus, he really doesn’t waste any time, does he? After his unexpected acts of kindness, I’d almost forgotten about that side of him.
The pang of disappointment inside my chest is more than a little absurd. I clear my throat. “I shouldn’t have assumed you’d be alone.”
He drags a hand over his beard.
“Never mind.” I take a step back, tugging his hoodie closer around me. “I’ll ju—“
“Can I bring my friend with me?”
I blink. Is he serious? Are we talking about some kind of third-wheel scenario? That sounds awful. Everything inside me screams no, but…I owe him. And I don’t like owing people.
So if that’s what he wants, I guess I’ll just have to go along with it. “Of course.” I force a smile. “Does she have any dietary restrictions?”
A beat passes. Something entirely too amused flashes in his eyes. “My friend’s a he. My business partner—Sam. And he eats everything.”
Ohmigod. What is wrong with me?
I have to pray the relief I feel soul deep isn’t blatantly obvious on my face. “Okay. Come at seven.”
Rowan looks like he’s holding back a laugh. “We’ll be there.”
It’s only when I jog back home and close the door behind me that I realize I still have his hoodie wrapped around me.