“You also talked about a business lunch and romantic dinner.”
“People have to eat.”
Quinn tilted her head.
“Okay. It’s more than sex, but we talked. We’re dating and having fun. Still no expectations.”
Kate finished dressing and hugged Indy. “I’m glad you’re happy.” The simple sentiment filled Indy with peace. Her relationship with Richard had caused a rift between her and Kate. She couldn’t believe she let a man do that.
“I am pretty happy.” She picked up her purse. “I have some house hunting to do. I’ll talk to you guys later.”
Thinking about her relationship with Kate had reminded Indy of an excursion they took while in college. They had both broken up with boyfriends. Instead of ripping on the imperfections of their exes, they created a list describing the perfect man. They drove around on a glorious spring day eating ice cream.
Their conversation developed into Kate describing her perfect life: successful law practice, husband, kids, house. Kate had reached her goals.
The house sparked Indy’s memory. They’d driven through Oak Park, and Kate pointed out all of the fabulous old houses there.
On a whim, Indy drove to the historic suburb that clung to the edge of the city. Even if a house wasn’t on the market, it wouldn’t hurt to poke around.
She drove down Chicago Avenue past the cold concrete and broken buildings. In a matter of blocks she crossed into suburbia. The dilapidated neighborhood hunched behind her as she drove through a tunnel of foliage.
The aging trees were so big on each side of the wide street that their boughs arched and met in the middle of the thoroughfare. The fall colors dappled in the afternoon sun. In her rearview mirror, she was hard-pressed to find even a patch of green.
She wound through the charming neighborhood with the feel of a small town. The downtown area bustled with independent shops—a market, coffee shop, bookstore. It reflected a settled but lively community.
Then she saw it.
Tucked back on a large piece of land, a sad house stared at her. The lawn was ragged, the first indicator the house would be in disrepair. She’d forgotten that Oak Park didn’t allow FOR SALE signs, but she had a hunch about this house.
She inched her car forward and parked at the curb. The wraparound porch sagged. The paint job on the house chipped and flaked, but the remnants showed light green and a pukey salmon color. It desperately needed a paint job. A fairy-tale tower stood tall on the corner.
A willow arched and bowed majestically in the side yard. Tall and wide with low-hanging branches. She envisioned a tire swing swaying in the vast shade.
Perfection.
This was the house for Griffin. He could renovate and restore it. He’d use it for a while until something else snagged his interest. Then he could sell it to a young family.
This house required a family.
Chapter 7
Griffin’s phone bleeped with a text message while he sat at his desk.
Call me ASAP.
He dialed Indy’s number. When she answered, he said, “You know, you can actually dial my number to talk to me.”
“I know, but I never know where you are or who you’re with. A text is less disruptive if you’re in a meeting.”
“Your disruption would be welcome. What’s up?”
“I found your house. It’s exactly what you’re looking for. The renovation will be pretty extensive, but so worth it.” Her excitement sang across the line.
She hadn’t had a reaction like this to any other house she’d shown him.
“Slow down.”
“You can’t. It just went on the market and it won’t last. You need to see it.”
He flipped through his desk calendar. He was booked. “Can I get in tonight?”
She blew out a heavy breath. “Let me see what I can do. What time?”
“Any time after five-thirty.”
“I’ll get back to you in a little bit.”
They disconnected. She’d told him she had to work at the bar tonight. He hadn’t planned on seeing her. His afternoon took a turn for the better.
Hours later he pulled up behind Indy’s car. She still sat behind the wheel, so he opened the door for her.
She wore her bar uniform. She probably planned to head in after showing him the house. Indy stepped from the car and flourished her hand down the length of her body. “As promised.”
“What?”
“I told you I’d wear my uniform to the next house I showed you.” She smiled and closed her door. “I switched shifts and didn’t have time to go home to change.”
“Surprisingly, I don’t mind.”
He recognized the sweatshirt she pulled on. “You look good in my clothes.”
“Thanks. Come on,” she said, tugging his hand. “You have to see this house. It’s perfect.”
“Perfect, huh?” He looked up at the shadowed form looming in front of him. The color was indiscernible in the dark.
“I have the keys. The neighbor is keeping them. The old man died and the kids need to sell. They all live out of state. It’ll move fast.” She carried a flashlight and laid a path of light for them to follow.
The porch creaked and rotten boards squished. Indy swung the door open into the black. She found a switch and illuminated the front hall.
“They’ve left the utilities on, so you can check everything. By my estimation, you’ll want to redo the electric and plumbing to bring it up to code. Which means you’ll have to knock out the old plaster walls.” She moved from room to room, flicking on lights. “But the woodwork is phenomenal and probably salvageable.”
“You’ve already gone through?”
“I had to make sure. I had a gut feeling when I pulled up and saw it earlier. A walk-through sold me. I also did some checking. The house isn’t historical, so you’re bound only by regular building codes.”
Her cheeks were pink from the cold, but her excitement swirled through the air. He began his tour alone. He needed to look beyond her excitement.
He needed to feel it.
By the time he reached the den after looking at the formal living and dining rooms, he knew. He saw past the peeling paper and chipped plaster. He saw the inherent potential. In the back beyond the kitchen was a separate hallway that led to what was probably once servants’ quarters. The space would work perfectly for the kids.
He went upstairs. The master bedroom sat above the den. It had its own fireplace. The bathroom had a claw-foot tub he hoped could be restored.
Indy knew what she was talking about. After demo, electric and plumbing would be the next order of business. It would be a shitload of work.
And it was perfect.
He descended the stairs and found Indy leaning against the newel post. She straightened at the sound of his footsteps.
A knowing smile crossed her face. “Want to check around outside?”
“No. Land is land.”
“So, what do you think?”
“You’re right. It’s perfect. I want it.”
She jumped and danced in the middle of the front hall. “I knew it. It’s the best feeling in the world to match someone with the right house.”
He grabbed her and kissed her. Her eyes darkened with passion. “I hope you don’t dance for all your clients.”
She shook her head. “No. That would be unprofessional.” “Good.” He lowered his head again to taste her incredible lips. Would he ever get enough of this woman?
She pushed away, breathless. “We can’t stay here. I have to make sure the lights are off.”
They broke apart and turned off lights, plunging the house into darkness. Indy turned her flashlight on.
The absurdity of her carrying a flashlight struck him. He’d never pegged her to be so prepared.
She locked up, and they eased down the rickety steps.
“What now?”
“You call and make an offer.”
He held her hand as they
walked. “Isn’t that your job?”
“That’s the catch.” She stopped. “It’s For Sale by Owner. They won’t work with an agent. I had my office call and check. I have to bow out, but I’ll gather information on the area for a market analysis so you have an idea of what you can offer. But you have to do your own negotiations.”
He stared at her in the shadows. “Why would you show me a house you’re not making commission on?”
“I stumbled onto it, and it was right.”
“Then I guess I at least owe you dinner.”
“At least.” She jogged across the lawn to the neighbor’s house to return the key.
He remembered the elegant mansion she’d shown him a week ago. She’d looked like she belonged there. Or so he’d thought. Now, seeing her in the ruins of this Queen Anne house, he knew his image of her was mistaken.
His chest swelled at the sight of her running back to him. He shook his head. He needed to stop imagining Indy in his house.
“If you want, we can pick up pizza and go to my place. I can gather the information you need.”
“Not much of a celebratory dinner.”
She pointed to her clothes again. “I’m not dressed for dinner.” “Pizza it is, I guess.” He wasn’t in the mood to have other men ogling her anyway.
Over dinner, Indy combed through listings for a market analysis. The prospect of Griffin getting this house excited her. Not getting the commission she’d been counting on sucked, but this house was right.
She ran the numbers with him and they discussed ballpark figures for repair. Although the house was being sold “as is,” the renovation costs had to be considered.
She watched him in his sleek suit, jacket off, sleeves rolled, eating pizza. Kate had accused her of falling for him. How could she not? He was smart, employed, and sexy as all get-out. Her blood raced every time she thought about him.
But he’s my rebound guy. I can’t get in too deep. It defeats the purpose of rebound.
“What’s the rest of your week look like?” he asked.
“More of the same. Why?”
“I have to go out of town next week.”
She plopped her pizza back on her plate. “The wedding’s next week.”
“I’ll be back in time for the wedding. I want to see you before I leave.” He wiped his hands on a paper napkin.
“Saturday?”
“Bachelor party,” he answered. “Friday?”
“Bachelorette party.”
“Shouldn’t they be scheduled on the same night?”
Indy shrugged. “We had to plan around work schedules. Speaking of which, before you ask, I’m working Sunday.”
He slid closer to her on the couch. “You could call in sick.”
His hand slid up her thigh and he kissed her neck. Her brain went fuzzy. “No, I can’t. I still need this job.”
She moved away from him and picked up the pizza. He followed her with the dishes. Maybe it was good their schedules didn’t match. They would get a little distance and cool off.
After she put the pizza away, Griffin grabbed her and spun her around. He pressed her back against the fridge and kissed her. “You expect me to go a week without this?”
“There’s always phone sex.”
As he nipped at her ear, she questioned why she wanted to cool off. She always felt so good with him.
“Tonight’s all I get?” he whispered against her collarbone.
“It’ll have to do.” Her fingers quickly worked the buttons of his shirt. She needed to feel his flesh.
With his shirt off, he grabbed her wrists and held them. His eyes burned into hers with desire. She tugged her arms, but he held fast.
“If I only have tonight, I’m going to make it last. The kitchen table won’t do.” He released her arms. Before she could make a move, he hoisted her to wrap her legs around him and he carried her to the bedroom.
“I’d have come willingly,” she said, wiggling herself against his erection.
“I know, but I like the feel of you wrapped around me. I love the way you smell when I bury my nose in your neck.”
She stopped kissing his shoulder, and he tossed her unceremoniously on the bed. A small laugh escaped her lips as she bounced. She reached for the hem of her shirt to pull it over her head, but he stopped her hands.
He stretched her arms over her head and held them with one hand while his other hand roamed her body. The heat of his hand seared her through the thin cotton she wore. Her breasts filled with want. She needed him to touch her, skin on skin. He tugged her shirt up with his teeth, his hot breath grazing her skin.
Her legs wrapped around him, pulling him in. He pushed away from her, finally releasing her wrists. Before he could reclaim anything, she whipped off her shirt and bra. When she lay back down, he smiled wickedly before bringing his mouth to her breast. His beard stubble rasped against sensitive skin. She ran her fingers across his shoulders as he feasted.
Never had her breasts been so sensitive. He sucked and nibbled and had her writhing in minutes. His belt buckle dug into her thigh, reminding her that they still had way too many clothes on. She shifted her weight, afraid to have him stop but needing to wiggle out of her shorts. She tugged the shorts and raised her hips a little to shove them down.
The skin of his torso was cool against the heat of her thighs. As much as she didn’t want him to stop sucking her nipples, she wanted, no needed, more. He trailed kisses down her ribs to her hip. So close.
She shifted again, inching herself nearer. His breath puffed out and fanned over her heat, and she felt like she would explode.
Her hips bucked and she pushed his head. “Please, Griffin, I need this.”
His laugh was a quiet whisper, adding more heat to her already-explosive body. He swiped his tongue over her mound. “This?”
“God, yes.” She threw her leg over his shoulder to give him better access.
But then he left her wanting. He pushed her thigh back and grabbed her wrists again. “What’s your hurry? We have all night.”
They were nose to nose, and his erection throbbed against her. She knew he wanted this as much as she did. “I’m ready now.”
“All I get is tonight, so it’s going to be slow, Indy. When I’m done, you won’t have the energy to think about anything else until I get back.”
She bit back a moan when Griffin’s mouth covered hers. Didn’t he know? He’d already accomplished that.
The week swept by with Indy’s thoughts consumed by the calendar. It didn’t matter how many times she flipped the pages or did the math. She hadn’t gotten her period. She couldn’t even clearly remember the last one. The stress from breaking up with Richard and all the extra hours spent working could easily have caused a missed period.
All the excuses in the world didn’t change the fact that it hadn’t come.
She stood in the back of the church for the rehearsal and watched Kate’s kids chase each other up and down the hall. Moira and Maggie were already at the front with their brothers. Griffin was nowhere in sight.
Quinn tapped her shoulder. “Griffin called. His flight was delayed, but he’ll be in late tonight. He said he hadn’t been able to reach you all week.”
Kate began her walk down the aisle.
“I’ve been busy. My little sister’s wedding didn’t just happen on its own.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Yeah. It’s my turn to walk.” How could she tell Quinn? She walked down the aisle thinking about Griffin. Surely by now he’d be pissed. He’d called a bunch of times while he was gone. She couldn’t talk to him. Her missing period occupied her every thought. She finally texted him saying wedding stuff kept her busy and she’d see him when he returned. Luckily, he was late. Now she only had to make it through the wedding before breaking up with him. She didn’t want to string him along knowing Richard’s baby could be growing in her.
Quinn’s day wouldn’t be ruined because of her stupidity.
&n
bsp; Anticipating Griffin’s anger, Indy had already arranged to spend the night at Quinn’s under the pretext of helping her get ready. Griffin would arrive tonight and he wouldn’t know where to find her. She couldn’t face him yet. Twenty-four hours. Then she would end it with him and he could hate her.
But Quinn’s wedding would be perfect.
Later that night, Indy turned her phone off and then she crawled into Quinn’s bed. They pretended to be twelve having a sleepover. Head sunk into squishy pillows, Indy faced her sister and they talked about boys.
“Tell me what’s going on with you and Griffin.”
Indy’s heart sank. She’d been able to put it all aside for the evening. She’d hoped to continue through the next day. “Nothing. He’s my rebound guy. I think I’m done rebounding.”
Quinn sat suddenly. “What do you mean, you’re done?”
“How long did you think it would take for me to rebound?” Indy tried to keep her voice light. “You know I like to keep moving.”
Quinn returned to her pillow. “You’ve been so happy. What did he say?”
“He doesn’t know yet. I’m going to talk to him after the wedding. After you leave for your honeymoon. I promised not to do anything to ruin your wedding, and I won’t.”
“You sure about this?”
Indy sighed. Lying to Quinn never came easy. Her chest tightened every time she thought about telling him. He always saw right through her. He didn’t need this kind of drama.
Quinn dropped it. “You were nice to Dad tonight. I appreciate it.”
“Even I can put on a good act. Tomorrow will be perfect.”
Wedding day was hectic. Kate spent the time finalizing details and bossing people around. Indy focused on keeping Quinn calm.
The limo arrived to take them to the church. Maggie, Ryan’s youngest sister, was giddy with excitement.
“I’ve never been in a limo before. Do we have time for a ride before we go to the church?”
Kate looked at her watch. “Let’s get Quinn to the church and then you can take a ride if you want.”
Moira interjected, “I’ll go with you to make sure you get back on time. How about you, Indy? Care for a ride?”
A Good Time Page 11