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That was what he needed, maybe even just as much as he didn’t want to live this successful life alone anymore.
He walked around the outside of the cabin, taking in the two-story structure, the arched windows, modern construction, and the professional landscaping. It was a gorgeous house on an ideal piece of property and exactly what Elijah was looking for.
The sound of an approaching car had him turning on the porch and looking at the BMW that pulled up beside his car. When Franco stepped out, he was speaking on his Bluetooth, his voice angry as he yelled Portuguese at the person on the other end. After a few minutes, Franco ended the call, held his hands out, and smiled widely.
“Olá, Elijah,” he said and walked up the porch. “Bom dia. Come, let me show you inside.” Franco unlocked the stained glass double doors and pushed them open. When Elijah stepped inside, he should have realized this cabin wouldn’t be rustic, not if Franco owned it. It certainly wasn’t a cabin that one would think would be found in the middle of the woods.
“I purchased the land about a decade ago and planned on making this a vacation spot because of the location and the lake that’s in town,” Franco said in his thick Portuguese accent. He walked into the large, open kitchen and turned to face Elijah with a big smile on his face.
They walked through the rest of the four-bedroom cabin, and Franco took great pride in pointing out all the luxuries in the house.
“We finished construction just last year, and everything is brand new, top of the line.”
“You never thought of staying here with your family?” Elijah asked and walked over to the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the sprawling back deck and woods.
“I planned on it, but my wife and the children are not ones for rustic living.”
Elijah looked over at him and lifted a brow. “This is rustic living?” he joked and smiled.
Franco started chuckling. “Let’s just say even after it was all said and done, they prefer the villa in Portugal and the penthouse suite in New York over this.”
Elijah shook his head. “It’s not as simple as I’d initially wanted, but this is perfect for what I’m looking for.”
“You wish to bring a wife here, have a family?”
It wasn’t a secret that Elijah was single and had no family. That kind of information went through the grapevine and their social circle like gasoline through a fire. “I don’t think a family and another wife is in my future, Franco.” He paused a moment, and then looked over his shoulder again at Franco. “I’ve come to realize that no matter how much money you have, you can’t buy everything.”
And that was the sad and depressing truth of it all.5One week later“Do you really have to leave?” Freya asked Maurice, feeling sad that her best friend had to go but knowing he couldn’t stay here forever. He had opportunities elsewhere—a job waiting for him, a career, family, and of course a girl.
Maurice smiled and leaned back on her couch. “I wish I didn’t, believe me. No matter how anxious I am to start my career and earn enough not to have to live with my folks, I am going to miss you like crazy.”
She went over to him and sat on the couch beside him. “You’re only a car drive away.”
“A long car drive.”
She nodded and sighed. “Yeah, but that’s never stopped us before. I mean we have the phone, FaceTime, and we can always plan on hanging out for the weekend.” Staring at the muted TV playing an old rerun, she rested her head on his shoulder and thought about how lonely she’d be. “I’d like to meet Sarah, too. I’m all alone in this house, and having you guys come around will liven the place up.”
He chuckled softly and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “We’ve hung out the past four years whenever we wanted to, and it was just a short walk across campus to see each other.”
“I know.” She leaned back and looked into his face. “We’re best friends, though, and that won’t ever change. You’re stuck with me for the long haul, buddy.” She leaned her shoulder into his and chuckled.
He smiled again and nodded. There was no sexual chemistry between them. They were only friends, the best of friends. They’d spoken about this, especially after that drunken night. It was what it was, and at the end of the day, she was glad she had Maurice in her corner.
“I better get on the road, though,” he said, a little disappointed. “My parents and Sarah are waiting.” There was this blush that stole over his cheeks at the mention of the girl waiting for him back home.
Freya didn’t give him a teasing jab at that. She just smiled and felt so glad he was happy. “Okay, but you promise to call as soon as you get there.”
