“Oh, the horror,” I say.
Ozzie chuckles.
“It’s not my sister that’s the problem. It’s her friend. Well, really, the woman is her realtor. Apparently, she will be there, too, because my sister wants us to go in together on a lake house.”
“What’s wrong? Is the realtor too pushy?” Ozzie asks.
“No, she’s rude. From the moment she met me, she stared at me with this expression like I smelled bad. And she’s just rude.”
I cross my arms. “So, she didn’t fall for your charms?”
“I never had a chance to try to charm her.”
“What does your sister think of her?” Ozzie asks.
“Maria loves her. She says she’s the best agent around. But the agent is kind to my sister. Almost dotes on her. Anyway, I’m just being a grump.” He glances around and notices Piper and Willow and then gives them a wave. “I’m going to hit the treadmill for a while. I’ll catch you guys later,” Axel says. He’s gone before we can say bye.
“I’ll bet you ten dollars he wants the realtor,” Ozzie says.
I laugh. “No bet because you’re probably right.”
“Now, back to your situation,” Ozzie says.
Willow is walking in our direction. “We’ll have to table that discussion,” I say.
“Can we talk?” Willow asks.
“Sure,” I say to Willow.
“I’m going to find Piper,”
“Earlier, you asked me to move in, but I never answered you,” she says.
“I noticed that. And if you think it’s too soon, I’ll understand. The last thing I want is to make you uncomfortable.”
She takes my hand in hers. “It is soon, but it feels right. Yes, I want to move in with you.”
I scoop her into my arms and twirl her around. “I can’t tell you how happy that makes me.”
“But,” she says.
I set her down to let her finish.
“I need to give Samantha some notice. She was kind enough to take me in when I really needed it, and I want to make sure she’s ready to live alone again.”
“Makes sense,” I say. “Do you have more you need to do here, or do you think we can go back to my place to celebrate?”
She grins. “We should go now. And celebrate all day.”
We find Ozzie and Piper to say goodbye before we leave.
“She said yes,” I whisper to Ozzie.
“Congrats, man. You look really happy,” he says.
“I am.” And I really am.
CHAPTER 36
