Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 138541 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138541 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
He called me as I was strolling through the supermarket, Dillan strapped to my chest, filling my trolley with a week’s worth of shopping, and asked me to attend these viewings. I agreed, mostly because I need to speak with him about last night, but also because I need to put a stop on our relationship, whatever that may be. The lines are very blurred.
“Whatever, look.” I rub my eyes and follow him and the estate agent out of the door. My voice is low so the nosy arsehole who seems to glance at my breasts every few seconds doesn’t hear what we’re saying. “I don’t want to address that right now.”
“Hmm.”
“Are you listening?”
“Are you going to tell me something I want to hear?”
Blink. “I’m going to speak what’s on my mind.”
“Not what I want to hear then.” He mutters, his lips twitching at the corners.
“No, but it needs to be said.”
“Later.”
“But…”
He gives me a stern look and nods in the direction of the nosy estate agent. “Later.”
“Kay.” I grumble and allow him to take my hand.
We climb into the car after strapping a snoozing Dillan in and follow the agent to the next location. It’s not too far from my mum’s, only a ten minute walk. No doubt the garden leads onto the beach. The houses down here are quite large, all three storey, and all have fairly long driveways, shrouded by huge fern trees.
“Can you afford one of these?” I ask as we follow the red car down a driveway on the right.
Nathan doesn’t answer. He does, however, stop the car and climb out, grab Dillan’s car seat from the back, walk to my side and help me out, before literally dragging me into the house. I wish he’d stop dragging me places; it’s extremely irritating.
For good measure, I kick his calf. Only gently, though, as I don’t want him to fall with Dillan in his hand.
He only looks at me over his shoulder and smiles wickedly, his teeth showing through the slight gap in his lips.
“I don’t know why you’re so proud of yourself.” I mutter, still allowing him to drag me.
We enter the huge kitchen, large windows light the space, reflecting brilliantly off the light surfaces.
“Because even though you act annoyed at my dragging you around, you never protest much.”
Cocky shit.
He’s also correct. Damn him.
“What do you think?” He asks, the agent giving us space to look around. We head through to the dining room, which is big enough to fit a six seated table and not much else, or a four seated table and maybe a glass cabinet if you’re into that sort of thing. The living room is as large as the kitchen and has a huge bay window that’s padded on the base, obviously a good place to sit and read.
“It’s very big.” I comment as we wander up the stairs, and yes, I’m still being dragged.
“Four bedrooms and a study, which could be a fifth bedroom.” The agent points out, smiling broadly, obviously thinking he’s got a sale. He’s also looking at my boobs again.
Nathan’s body tenses when he notices. The agent fortunately turns and leads us into the master bedroom, which is at the back of the house. “If he looks at your chest one more time I’m…”
“Stop it.” I chastise, yet inside I feel kind of nice that he’s defending my honour.
Pouting slightly, he takes my arm and leads me into the room after him. “I like it. It has everything I need. The neutral colours are good also.”
I hum my agreement before walking over to the closet and checking the inside. “Better closet space than your house in the middle of nowhere.”
“Do you like it?” Nathan asks, watching me pace around the room with a blank expression.
“It’s not up to me.”
“Do. You. Like. It?”
“No need to get stroppy.”
He sighs and says with a snappy tone, “Gwen. Don’t make me ask you again.”
“What’s not to like?” I throw my arms up and let them fall back down. “Look at this place. It’s gorgeous.”
“And right on the beach.” The agent says to my chest.
Seeing Nathan take a step towards him, I grab his hand and it’s my turn to drag him from the room.
“Just one little punch?” He pleads quietly, making me giggle.
******
After seeing the next two houses, Nathan tells the agent we were going to go for coffee to talk about it. Dillan is awake and hungry and I need to feed him. The agent leaves us with his card, even though we have three already, and we head for my place of work.
“Well, I didn’t expect to see you here today.” Valentine smiles brightly at me as Nathan places Dillan’s car seat on the table between us and carefully lifts him out.
“I didn’t have a choice.” I comment under my breath so she doesn’t hear. It’s not that I don’t love her or this place. I do, I just can’t talk freely with Nathan here and there’s also the chance he’ll find out I’m still seeing Eric. What a mess! I add, so she can hear, “I love your coffee.”