“I have to locate my bath stuff before bed,” she insisted.
“Okay. Thanks for dinner. It was amazing.”
“He’s right about that,” Zen agreed, shooting her a quick thumbs-up before cutting up more food.
“Can I swing by tomorrow to pick up my pan and maybe steal your laser level?”
“Absolutely. I’ll be here most of the day.” I actually had two meetings that I was now going to cancel.
We walked to the door as we spoke.
Then she was suddenly on the other side of the threshold.
It felt wrong.
Like she belonged inside.
“Great. Thanks for the wine. And conversation. I needed it.”
“Anytime. Welcome to the building, Blair.”
With that, she walked off toward the elevator, and I tried like hell (and failed) not to enjoy the view.
When she was gone, I turned back to find Zeno watching me, a shit-eating grin on his face.
“Don’t.”
“You got the love of your life living in the same building, and you think I’mnotgonna give you shit about it?”
“She’s not the love of my life,” I insisted.
She wasn’t.
She couldn’t be.
Case closed.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Blair
Honestly, I guess I could thank Ronny for one thing.
Her random drop-in at my old place was what had me finally make the jump on the condo in Nico’s building.
I’d been hemming and hawing it.
But one more Ferraro drop-in had me taking the leap.
Luckily, it was a condo, not a co-op, so the process had been quick, since both the seller and I were eager to get things over with.
And despite some initial worries about being in the same building with Nico, I had to admit it was the best decision I had made for myself since before I met Matthew.
First, it was gorgeous. With its light wood floors, crown molding, built-ins, generous kitchen, and the oversized primary bed and bath.
Barbara had been right. The previous owner had redone just about everything inside. No expense had been spared. And their taste and mine just so happened to coincide. It was the perfect mix of clean modern and warm, classic touches. There was a ton of light. And I didn’t know who had to sacrifice their firstbornto some demon somewhere, but there was clearly some sort of magic going on with how quiet the building was.
It already felt more home-like within a few days than my old place did after years of living there. Maybe because, for the first time, I wasn’t considering anyone else’s preferences but my own.
