Page 49 of About That Rule

CHAPTER19

THE NEXT DAY,Nate was scheduled to tour a house close to his parents, which was a big step. This was a house he had an interest to actually move into. Not that he was willing to give up life in New York, but with branching out his business and wanting to be closer to his family, it seemed like the right time.

Yesterday, after he’d dropped Samantha off, Nate had grabbed a drink with Noah. There had been no mention of him dragging Samantha out of the reception, which was slightly disappointing. Not because he didn’t have to lie—who wants to do that shit?—but because no one thought anything of substance would actually happen between him and Samantha.

It was better off that way. The less people involved in their makeshift nuptials, the better. Which meant less people involved in the damage that was bound to ensue once the annulment happened.

Truth was, sex or not, the lines were blurred. He had to make sure it didn’t impact Samantha. Not after he saw how conflicted she was about everything.

He pulled out his phone and called Samantha.

“Even when you’re on west coast time, you forget I work,” she answered with a smile.

Checking the clock, he saw it was three. “Damn, you’re right. When do you get done?”

“Five, just like every other day. Why, what’s up?”

“Any chance you’d be willing to leave work at four and meet me to tour a house?” There was no way he was buying a house without her opinion.

She hummed while he heard clicking on her end.

“I can,” she said. “But you owe me a milkshake or something because I had to reschedule a few meetings.”

“I can deliver a chocolate milkshake with whipped cream. Meet at your house in an hour then we can go?”

Samantha agreed, and they got off the phone. He was sure the anxiety was due to looking at a prospective house, a place that would be his new home. Expanding his renovation business has been a priority for what seemed like forever. Taking the steps to do it was exhilarating.

Pulling up at four, Samantha was just getting home from work. Nate bit his fist, admiring her. She was sexy as hell, confidence surrounding her in straight-legged black pants and a green blouse. If things were different between them, despite the importance of touring the house, he would have dragged Samantha inside and devoured her.

“Hey,” she shouted to him. He was still in his rental car. “Do I need to change?”

No way. He loved her in work clothes because he barely got to see it. “As long as you don’t spill the milkshake on yourself, you’re good.”

She hopped over to his car and got in. “Good, I didn’t feel like changing. So, where are we headed?”

In normal fashion, it was like nothing had happened between them. He should have been grateful Samantha wasn’t the type to be dramatic, but he was the one who’d said let’s not blur the lines, so this was his fault.

He shook his head before answering. “I think I found a house.”

“Duh,” she rolled her eyes. “Is this a new client?”

This was big news he was dropping on her. He took a quick inhale before he explained. “I think I found a house for me to move into and be here on a more permanent basis. It’s about twenty-five minutes from your place, but still in Oakland.”

She applauded with excitement. “This is amazing. You’ve been talking about the next step for your career for awhile now. I’m a bit envious of your flexibility of being able to live on either coast. While I’m excited for you and will be obsessed with you close to home, what’s prompting all this?”

He turned the music down. “You know how it’s been. For months now, before we even went to Vegas, something has been off. I’ve been in a funk. I love New York, but I need more.”

She nodded her head, accepting all he told her.

He made a turn off the highway, getting closer to the house. “I guess I always imagined coming home to be like a death sentence. But the more time that passes, the more I see how much I miss out on being so far away.”

“Is missing home a funk, though?” she probed.

He shrugged. “The only thing I know is something isn’t right anymore. I think being home on a more regular basis will help.”

They pulled into the neighborhood, and a sense of ease washed over him. If he did move back, even on a part-time basis, this place felt right. He made one more turn, then parked in the driveway. They both got out of the car.

“The roof is terra cotta.” Samantha adored the front of the home. “And it’s a rancher, which is great. How many bedrooms?”