Chapter 6
923 Words
Piper Keller
Well, I survived the first house. I take a deep breath as we leave. Then he turned to wave at Mr. Cummings, before lowering
myself into the car. As we pulled out of the driveway, I had to ask, "Did you like the house?"
"No. Too many sets of stairs." Xavier replied, distractedly.
I watch him as he reads something on his phone.
"You have a problem with stairs? Because all these houses have stairs." I asked, holding up the file of houses.
"Like you said. With kids it could be an issue." He replies, simply.
"You don't have kids." I reminded him, completely lost.
Is he really buying a house outside of the city for children he doesn't even have?
If so, what is the rush to the time line? He told Liz as soon as possible. Oh my God! He must be expecting a child and soon! I
don't read tabloids or any of those gossip magazines, but Liz does. If she read something about Xavier getting someone
pregnant she would've told me, right? No, she would never have mentioned him.
"But I will and I don't want to have two sets of stairs in the entryway." He responds, his tone serious.
Slowly collecting my thoughts, I say, "So, one grand staircase in the foyer is important to you? Okay, we can find something. I think we can skip the next one and go on to the last house. It still has staircases but not the double stairways like the first and second properties." He silently agrees agreed, still focused on his phone.
I told the partition and told Joe of our change in plans. Then I called the realtor of the second home to tell her that Mr. Sterling
changed his mind. Thinking nothing of it, Bonnie Rinkens refused to accept any apology, stating that she knew what its
like working with upscale clientele. After I end the call, my mind goes back to the man beside me.
He's going to be a father.
Should I say congratulations?
What is the right thing to do when you find out your ex is going to be a dad?
Totally ignore it. Yup, that's just the thing to do.
We entered the last home and I can tell Xavier was completely distracted. The realtor, Benjamin Holmstrom, shows us the
garage, hoping to get Xavier's attention. It doesn't work. When we got to the kitchen I couldn't help but gasp.
It's beautiful.
The white and glass cupboards with white marble countertops are immaculate. Its every home cooks dream!
The double ovens and gas range put it over the top.
"Whoa, Xavier. I bet you'd like to cook here. Oh, look, it opens right into the family room. I love the decor, someone really knew
what they were doing." I said, before I could think better of it.
He glances around, finally taking a break from his phone.
"Oh, yes, it's a great kitchen." Mr. Holmstorm agrees, happy Xavier might like something about the house.
"I haven't cooked in a while," Xavier muttered, walking over to the stove.
"Its a viking Range. Top of the line." Mr. Holmstrom informs us.
I watch Xavier. He'd loved to cook for me when we were together, so I'm surprised he'd stop.
"You'll definitely have time to cook if you're away from the city. Nothing much to do to entertain you around here." I joked, trying
to make my last statement about him seem less intimate.
"Oh, I could think of something." He refused, his eyes meeting mine.
I turned to Holmstrom, making a smile.
"We should probably continue the tour."
As we walked onto the back balcony looking over the water, I welcomed the wind in my flushed face. What the hell did he mean by saying that? And what did that look like? It was like a promise of something very carnal, involving me?
Impossible!
Does he think I'll just forget the past? Hardly! Not to mention the child that he is buying this house for and the woman that usually goes with it. By the time we leave, my nerves are tattered and torn. I can't focus on anything. Halfway back to the office I ask him,
"What about that house? Did you like it?"
"Did you like it?" He counters, glancing up at me from his phone.
"Of course, what's not to like about a house like that? But the question is, do you like it?" I repeated.
"I did." He nods.
"Liz will be happy to hear that. You think about it and I-"
"Put the offer in. Full price." He interrupted.
"Make sure that everything in the kitchen and the family room stays safe."
"I don't think it comes furnished, but I can request it as part of the sale." I replied, confused.
We pulled into the driveway and we both exited the car.
"Do you want to wait while I draw up the papers?"
"No, fax them to me." He answers, handing me his card.
I take it and look at him skeptically, "Are you sure you want to do this?" I question, curiously.
"Is there anyone else you want to show it to first?" I added, getting to the point.
His eyes read me in two seconds flat. " There's no one else."
At a loss for words, I nodded and walked away, "Okay, I'll get started."
I take the steps quickly and unlock the door. Once inside, I fall against the door.
"What the hell just happened?"
- Writer
