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Lonny’s still smiling at Bee in a way I am really not happy about.
“We’re not?—”
Suddenly, Bee’s sitting forward and asking, “How much would we need exactly?”
My pulse skitters.
We.
Wait. We? What?
Lonny taps his keyboard. “Ideally, another twenty thousand. It would secure the property and match Sebastian’s deposit, which is always a plus. When you’re starting out, it’s always better to keep things as equal as possible. Of course, we also suggest starting a joint account for home expenses. That way it’s easier to track what’s going in and out, and if you decide you’d like to keep yourpersonal finances separate, it would allow you to do that as well.”
Beside me, Bee is humming pensive little sounds, but I can’t keep up. I’m still stuck at the beginning.
“Lonny, sorry,” I interrupt when Bee asks about homeowner’s insurance. I have no idea what the hell is happening, but I’m going to get to the bottom of it. “Could you give us a few minutes to talk this over?”
“Of course, of course. It’s about time I stretch my legs. I’ll be back in fifteen.”
Only when Lonny has disappeared from the cubicle do I turn to Bee. “What are you doing?”
“I was trying to understand the closing costs we’re facing,” she says. There’s that word again. “Not that half of the words even make sense.”
“Why are you acting as though you’re buying this house with me?”
“Because I am.”
Excuse me? Just like that. Casually thrown out there, as though it’s just another Monday. What did you do today, Bee? Oh, I just cosigned a mortgage with the guy who used to room with my brother in college.
“Care to explain why?”
“It’s convenient.”
“Bee.” I drag a hand over my beard, scratching at the tamed scruff.
She waits, her eyes never leaving mine. Try as I might, I can’t find a shred of hesitation in her expression. Christ. I knew she was headstrong, but it’s a whole other thing when it’s directed at me.
My dick is finding all of this extremely interesting, butthis situation is way above his pay grade, so he can shut the fuck up. “There’s nothing convenient about lifelong debt. I need you to take this seriously.”
“I am taking it seriously. Look, I have the money. I want to do something meaningful with it. I don’t want to gamble it or waste it on something frivolous. Please let me do this for you.”
“This isn’t a favor, Bee. This is a house. A commitment.”
She bristles, her shoulders set back. “I understand that. I wouldn’t offer if I didn’t think I could handle it.”
“That’s not what I meant. I trust that you can do this. It’s just, this is big. Wouldn’t you rather do this on your own?” Or with a partner, I hate to add.
“Honestly? How could I? You heard him. If I tried, I’d be in the same position you are. Probably worse, since I’m technically homeless right now.”
I hate the fear in her expression. Here is a woman who pivoted out of a degree she hated into a career she loves. Who moved across the country on a whim and has spent the last few years making a name for herself. She shouldn’t be afraid of anything.
“Look, Sebastian, I…” Her gaze dashes around us. It’s not until this moment that I finally take her in. The way she’s folded in on herself, the quiet voice. She’s hiding. “I have to be completely honest. I need something from you.”
My heart picks up speed.
“I haven’t even told Aiden about this, but the real reason I moved home is because I kind of fucked up with my publisher. I’ve been working on a novel, my ownnovel, and in a moment of, well, let’s just call it spontaneity, I pitched it and…” Another breath. “Sebastian, I’m scared. I’ve been wanting to do this for years. It was the whole reason I moved away, but every time I think about putting myself out there, I freeze up. If I don’t get this right, if this fails, it’s on me. But I… I want to do this. Need to do this. And I want your help.”
There’s a record scratch in my brain.
