I Flipping Love You

by Helena Hunting

  I drop my head and exhale a breath. It would be too easy to say yes. “I can’t ask you to do that.”

  “You’re not asking.” He looks so earnest in his offer.

  “This place reminds me of the good parts of my family, but I don’t need the Mansion to keep the memories.” I tap my temple. “Everything is already up here.” Then I move my fingers down to my heart. “And in here.”

  He caresses my cheek, eyes soft and questioning. “So you don’t want it anymore?”

  “Buying it isn’t going to bring my grandmother back, and it’s not going to make my family whole again.” I lace my fingers with his. “I already have what I need.”

  * * *

  Pierce leans in to kiss me. It’s brief and chaste, possibly on account of my lipstick. “Good luck today.”

  I pause with my fingers wrapped around the door handle. “You’re not coming in?”

  “I have a couple of errands to run this morning.” He glances at his phone, which has been buzzing nonstop since we woke up.

  “Oh.” I assumed he’d stay for the open house considering how much time he put in on this project. He’s freshly shaven, dressed in a suit, not a hair out of place, but he looks tired and restless. “Is everything okay?”

  “Fine. Nothing you need to worry about.” He flashes a smile, but it seems off, and his gaze doesn’t quite meet mine. “I’ll be back before the open house is over.”

  “Okay.” I don’t move, though. Something’s up. Something’s been up since we visited the Mission Mansion the other day.

  His phone keeps buzzing, and he taps the steering wheel. He misreads my anxiety. “It’ll sell today. I have no doubt.”

  I nod and expel a breath.

  This time his phone lights up with a call. He checks the screen again. “I gotta go, hotness.” He gives me another peck on the cheek, and I have no choice but to get out of the car.

  He gives me a tight smile and a quick wave as he puts the car in reverse and backs out of the driveway like his ass is on fire. What the heck was that all about?

  I don’t have time to fixate—much—because the open house on the Paulson home begins in less than an hour, and I still need to put the cookies in the oven.

  The showing ends up being the best we’ve had this summer. An endless stream of potential buyers tour the property, keeping us busy the entire time. Despite the influx of interested parties, I still notice that Pierce doesn’t return prior to the end of the open house like he said he would. Disappointment settles under my skin and irritates like an unscratchable itch. He’s been such a big part of helping make this happen. I would’ve thought he’d want to be here to see it sell. And it does sell. By the time it’s over, we have four offers, all well over asking.

  Marley’s phone rings while we’re reviewing offers at the kitchen table. I’m still irked that I’ve yet to hear from Pierce and the open house has been over for half an hour already.

  “Who is it?” I ask absently, still punching numbers into my calculator. Our profit on this one is going to be incredible, the money we’ll make on the flip far outweighing any commission we could’ve made. I ran the figures out of curiosity, and we still can’t afford the Mission Mansion, beyond the down payment.

  “Oh? But I thought the open house wasn’t until tomorrow?”

  I glance up from the calculator, taking in Marley’s stiff posture. The unsettled feeling that’s been plaguing me all day hit again, making my palms sweaty.

  “Do you know who bought it? Right. Of course. Okay. Well, thanks for letting me know. Congratulations on the sale.”

  She ends the call and sets the phone on the table, eyes slow to meet mine. I don’t say anything, waiting for her to say what I already know.

  “The Mission Mansion sold to a private buyer.”

  I knew this was coming, but I didn’t think it would be until tomorrow. As prepared as I thought I was, it still causes an ache to bloom in my chest. I clear my throat. “Did she say what it went for?”

  “A hundred thousand over asking.” Her eyes are soft, assessing my reaction.

  “That would’ve been a great commission.” Tears prick my eyes and I fight to keep them from falling.

  “Are you okay?” Marley gives my hand a squeeze.

  “Rationally, I know it’s better this way. We couldn’t have afforded to manage the property, but it still hurts to know it’s gone already.”

  “I get it. I know how much you loved that place.” She comes around to hug me. “Why don’t we deal with the offers in the morning?”

  “Okay.” I help Marley gather up the papers, straightening them into a neat pile and returning the promotional materials to the folder.

  “Are you okay on your own for a bit? I kind of feel like going for a walk.” I push up from the table, sadder than I thought I’d be.

  “Do you want me to come with you?”

  “I think I need a little time alone.”

  “Sure. Of course.”

  “I won’t be gone long, then we can have dinner or something to celebrate.”

  I leave her at the kitchen table with the paperwork and head down the beach. Marley has never had the same connection to the Mansion I do. While she would’ve taken on that venture with me, it would’ve been because I wanted it and she loves me enough to make that sacrifice.

  Even from a distance I can make out the bold red letters of the SOLD sign. I stop about fifty yards from the Mansion and stare up at one of the best parts of my past; a place full of love and happiness and good memories. I let the tears fall for the family I lost all those years ago, and take comfort in the fact that all those things still exist inside my heart.

  CHAPTER 30

  LITTLE GIFTS OF LOVE

  PIERCE

  You know those days when you’re in a rush to get something done, but the whole world seems like it’s against you? I’m having that day. I’m finally on my way back to the beach, but Rian’s open house is long over. I’m disappointed that I’ve missed the whole thing, but I’m hoping my absence will be forgiven shortly.

  I pull into the driveway, grab the flowers from the passenger seat and head for the front door.

  I find Marley sitting at the kitchen table reviewing paperwork. She doesn’t look up. “Rian went for a walk about twenty minutes ago.”

  “Is she okay?”

  “She will be.”

  “Is she upset that I missed the open house?”

  “She’ll get over it.” She gives me a small knowing smile and nods to the flowers clutched in my fist. She pushes up from the table. “Pretty sure we both know where she is, so you should go find her.”

  I head for the sliding door and step out into the warm summer air. I’m still wearing a suit and dress shoes, which quickly fill with sand as I make my way down the beach toward the Mansion and the lone figure staring up at it.

  Rian’s dress flaps lightly against her legs, hair fluttering in the breeze, arms wrapped around her as if she’s hugging herself. I come up behind her and slip an arm around her waist, holding the bouquet of flowers in front of her. “Congratulations on the sale.”

  She startles and runs her fingertips along the petals of a peony. She twists in my arms so she can look at me, her head resting on my chest. Her smile is soft and questioning, eyes shimmering with sadness. “Well, it’s not official yet, but thanks.”

  “I’m sorry I missed the open house.” I stroke her cheek and move so we’re face-to-face. “I had to take care of something important this afternoon.”

  Her eyes shift, following her fingers as she traces the lapel of my suit jacket. “It must’ve been pretty important.”

  I hear the questions in that statement, feel her despondency in the weight of her palm on my chest, and I know I’ve done the right thing today, even if right now it’s making her sad. “Why don’t we go back up to the house and I can tell you all about it?”

  “Sure. Okay.” She gives me an uncertain smile as I lace our fingers together, and look
s over her shoulder at the Mansion one last time as I guide her back to the house with its own, matching SOLD sign.

  I don’t take her inside the house. Instead, we sit on the deck. It’s peaceful out here this evening, the breeze warm and light. The sun hangs low in the sky, heading for the horizon. I’ve grown attached to this, both the view and the woman. “So I did something today, and I need you to hear me out before you get mad at me.”

  Rian looks away from the ocean and frowns. “What kind of something?”

  “Just promise you’ll listen before you go off.” I’m nervous right now. This could go two very different ways and one of them ends with Rian very pissed off. I’m hoping that’s not what happens.

  “This approach is not reassuring, Pierce.”

  “Yeah. I get that.” I run my hands down my thighs. They’re damp and clammy. “So you know how I’ve been in Manhattan a lot recently?”

  “Clearing up the patent issue.”

  “Yeah. Well, that’s part of it, but I’ve been taking care of a few other things.”

  “Okay.” Rian clasps her hands and waits. “What kind of other things?”

  I need to spit it out. “So a lot of the reason I’ve been in Manhattan a lot lately isn’t just about the patent. I’ve been training someone to take over at the firm for me.”

  “You’re quitting?” Her eyes flare with surprise.

  I nod, lick my lips, run my hands down my thighs again. I need to cut the fidgeting. “I talked to my father and explained the circumstances.”

  “Circumstances?”

  “That I wasn’t happy practicing patent law, that I wanted to be here instead, doing something I love.”

  She sits up a little straighter. “And he was okay with that?”

  “At first I think he was surprised, but yeah, he understands and mostly he kept pushing the business because he wanted there to be something for me and Law and Amalie. He wants to slow down, so he’s talking about selling the majority of the company off, but we’ll see what the logistics are.”

  “Wow, that’s … wow.” Rian exhales on a whistle. “This is good then, yes?”

  “It is.”

  Her expression is soft and hopeful, which is reassuring. “So does that mean you’re staying here? In the Hamptons, I mean?”

  I feel like a bobble head with all the nodding. “Yeah. I, uh, put my penthouse on the market.”

  Her eyebrows shoot up. “Oh? When?”

  “A few weeks ago. It’s already sold, which brings me to the thing I did that I don’t want you to get mad at me for.” I turn my head and clear my throat. “So I know you said you didn’t need the Mission Mansion.”

  Rian’s eyebrows furrow as confusion turns to understanding and then disbelief. “Tell me you did not buy the Mansion.” And there’s the anger I was expecting.

  Rian likes to do things on her own. She’s strong and independent and fierce, which is why I’m so hopelessly in love with her. Buying her the Mansion and presenting it as a gift was never going to fly, so I had to figure out how to frame it so she gets that it’s not a gift—well, not exactly. “I can’t tell you that.”

  She purses her lips. “You can’t buy me a mansion, Pierce.”

  “I don’t think the bank is going to give me a refund.” I raise my hands when she opens her mouth. “Just hear me out before you get upset. Or more upset. I didn’t buy it just for you. I mean, yeah, you’re clearly one of the reasons I bought it, but it’s more than that. Selling my penthouse freed up a lot of money, and I need a project and a place to live, especially now that you’ve sold this one.” I motion to the deck we’re currently sitting on.

  “So you thought you needed more than eight thousand square feet of rundown living space?”

  “It’s a smart move, Rian. I can fix it and live in it, and when it’s done, if you decide you don’t want me to keep it, then I can sell it and probably get twice what I paid for it. But if you decide maybe you don’t want to get rid of it, then we could turn it into a B and B like you talked about. Like we talked about. It could be ours, and we could do it together.”

  I can’t read her expression, and it’s unnerving. I take her hand in mine and lick my lips, my mouth suddenly dry. God, I really hope she’s ready for this. “Look, Rian, this has been the best summer of my life, particularly the past month. Being here with you, working on this project with you, being part of it, this is what I want. I have all the things I love right here, and I don’t want to give that up, and I didn’t want you to have to give up a dream if you didn’t have to.”

  “That’s a lot of money to spend on my dream.”

  “Well, it can be our dream now, can’t it?”

  A hint of a smile appears. “What about Lawson?”

  “He knows this is my plan and that I wanted to do this on my own.”

  “And he’s okay with that?”

  “He has plenty to keep him busy.”

  Rian props her chin on her fist. “I can’t just leave Marley.”

  “I talked to her too.”

  Rian’s eyes flare. “What?”

  “I wanted to make sure I was doing the right thing. She thinks it’s smart too. It’s a huge house; there are plenty of outbuildings. There are lots of options. We don’t have to settle on any one decision right now.”

  “Wait. So Marley already knows you bought the Mansion?”

  “She knew I was going to put in an offer.”

  “I can’t believe she didn’t tell me!”

  “Well, to be fair, I asked her not to, and there really wasn’t a guarantee that I was going to get it, so…”

  Rian huffs a laugh. “You know, most boyfriends buy their girlfriends flowers and jewelry, not mansions.”

  “I did the flowers thing, so I got that part right. I think we both know I’m not most boyfriends, and like I said, I needed a project. Besides, this seemed like a pretty foolproof way to get you to move in with me.”

  She throws her head back and laughs. “You’re a little crazy, you know that?”

  “Crazy in love with you.” I kiss her, but pull back before either one of us can deepen it. “So that’s a yes, right? You and me. Nightly snuggles, waking up beside each other every morning. Cinnamon roll French toast. Me driving you nuts. Naked Sundays. You in?”

  She smiles up at me, eyes soft and warm. “How can I say no to that?”

  “I told you we had something, didn’t I?” I stand and hold out a hand.

  “You did. Many, many times.” Rian slips her palm in mine and lets me pull her up.

  I tug her toward the house. “Come on, it’s almost Sunday, we should get a head-start on the naked part.”

  EPILOGUE

  CINNAMON TOAST CRUNCH SURPRISES

  PIERCE

  One year later

  “Can we make a quick stop on the way home? I just remembered a few things we need.”

  “Sure.” Rian looks up from her phone, head tipped a little to the side. “Everything okay?”

  “Yup. Yes. Everything’s fine.”

  Her eyes narrow the tiniest bit. I suck at keeping secrets. Especially from Rian.

  “Are you sure? Because you’ve been all kinds of sketch today.”

  “I haven’t been sketch today.” I most definitely have.

  I’ve been trying to get Rian home all afternoon, but it’s been stop after stop in little antiques shops to pick up whatever decorative thing she falls in love with. Rian sometimes likes to take a hundred dollars with her and see how far she can make it go. Today the trunk of the Tesla is full of her kitschy, fun treasures for the Mission Mansion, which we converted into a bed-and-breakfast as planned. We also live on the property, in one of the newly renovated outbuildings. The past year has been incredible, and I’m hoping to make the rest of the ones ahead of us just as amazing.

  “You’re all…” She gestures at me. “Sketch.”

  “You’re imagining things.” I keep my eyes on the road because if I look directly at her, there’s a g
ood chance I’m going to give myself away and then my whole plan will go up in flames.

  “I don’t think I am, but if you’re committed to pretending you’re not being all weird today, then have at it.”

  I grin, despite the way my stomach is all knotted up and how sweaty my palms are. I turn right into the parking lot.

  Rian frowns as she takes in our location. “What are we doing here?”

  “I need a few things.” I pull into an empty spot by the front doors.

  “From here? Why not stop somewhere closer to home?”

  “Because here has what I need and it’s on the way.” I open the driver’s side door, expecting her to do the same, except she just sits there. “Aren’t you coming with me?”

  “I figured I could wait in the car.”

  She sure isn’t making this easy for me. “I could use your help.”

  I get another arched brow, but she unbuckles her seat belt. I pat my jacket pocket, making sure I have my wallet and the other important and necessary item. When we get inside the store, I grab a cart and hand Rian a basket. As expected, she heads directly for the cereal aisle, as if drawn to it by some invisible, magnetic force.

  “Hey, I thought I’d make cinnamon roll French toast tomorrow morning. Can you head over to the bakery aisle and get what we need for that?”

  Rian hesitates, glancing first at me, and then at the cereal aisle with the same kind of longing I often experience when I’m teasing her in the bedroom and refusing to give her what she wants. “But—”

  “You always pick the best buns. Oh, and can you grab some eggs while you’re at it? I think we’re almost out.” I lean down and kiss her softly. “When we get home, I have plans for you.” I give her ass a little squeeze, so she knows what kind of plans I’m talking about. Although, if my current plan doesn’t go the way I want, then neither will my naked plans later. “I’ll meet you in the fun food aisle.”

  “Okay.” She glances over her shoulder, looking a little skeptical as she nabs a store flyer and heads in the direction of the bakery aisle.

  As soon as she turns the corner, I rush for the cereal aisle, tossing a few things in my cart so it looks like I’m actually shopping. I come to a stop in front of the Cinnamon Toast Crunch, throw five boxes in the cart, and hastily slide my finger under the flap of one. God, my palms are ridiculously sweaty, even with the air conditioning pumping through the store.