Page 56 of I Never Stopped Loving You

He stands to walk out of the office, and I can tell he’s pissed.

“Jeremy.”

“What?”

“Close the door.”

He slowly turns back around toward me and shuts the door before sitting in the chair in front of me and scooting it closer.

“What?” he asks.

“What I’m about to tell you needs to stay between us.”

“Of course. When has it ever not stayed between us?”

“It’s kind of illegal.”

“What other way do we like to do things?” he jokes.

“I’m serious, Jeremy. If this got out, it would destroy me.”

“Cross my heart and hope to die…Or do you want to do a blood pact?”

“Neither. Just give me your word you won’t freak out or repeat this…ever.”

He brings his fingers to his lips and makes a zip noise, then tosses the imaginary key behind his head. I know I can trust him not to betray me…but can I trust him not to look at me differently after I tell him the truth of everything that’s happened over the last fifteen years…and I mean everything.

CHAPTER 26

NOAH

FOUR YEARS AGO

“It’s all yours, Mr. Anderson. You made a great choice.”

I finish signing my name on the dotted line and pass the papers to my realtor. I finally did it. I bought the house I’ve been watching for the last two years. It finally went up for sale, and the second it did, I gave the owner an offer he couldn’t refuse.

“Thank you, Helen. It’s been great working with you.”

“Likewise, Mr. Anderson. Please let me know if you need any of my services in the future.”

She smiles a bit too flirtatiously when she places her hand on top of mine. She’s cute, sure. But she’s looks nothing like what my little rabbit would.

“So, what’s the first thing you’ll change about this old place?” she asks as she glances around the kitchen.

Sure, it’s a bit outdated, but I bought the house for its bones, not its skin. A house's bones are what’s important. You can change anything about its skin easily. Some paint and new handles here, new flooring there. Bones are harder to change. Most of the houses along the shore here date back to the early 1900’s. Mine specifically was built in 1906. Yep, it’s got good, old bones.

“I might get new appliances, but that’s about it to start.”

The house is nice and all, but it’s what’s under my house that I’m mainly interested in. That and how much privacy this property actually offers, especially being so close to the city.

“Stainless steel is always nice.”

“Nah. There are a few companies that make custom cabinet fronts, so I might look into those.”

I return my attention to my phone and hope she takes the hint. Thank God she does.

“Well, I’d better get going. Please let me know if you need anything. I wrote my personal cell phone number again on the back of the card.”