Page 52 of Searching for Love

When they all disbursed, Lucas followed Hannah up to Hidden Cove. Avery had been in the neighborhood many times visiting Hannah and Wyatt, who now lived in a beautiful home on the hillside.

Instead of heading up the hill, Hannah turned down towards the cove area and stopped directly in front of a finished home that had a for sale sign in the yard.

“It’s beautiful,” Sophia said as she climbed out.

It was roughly the same size as their current place and was still a ranch-style home only with more current styling and colors. It had a massive front porch that included a porch swing.

“Here she is,” Hannah said with a sigh. “I’ll open her up.” She headed towards the door. Sophia followed Hannah and hung on every word as she rattled off the details of the home and the neighborhood.

“Wow,” Lucas said as he stepped inside. “It’s nice.”

“It is.” Avery could just imagine Sophia’s and his mother’s things there. “It would be perfect for them.”

“You don’t know how stubborn my mother is,” he said with a sigh. “Besides, I’m not a hundred percent sure where things stand with Graig. The way the man was hovering and looking so worried about my mom, I’m sure there’s something there.”

“Sophia is pretty stubborn too. I’ll bet you she convinces your mother to move.” She walked into the kitchen area.

“I’ll take that bet.” Lucas held out his hand for hers. Laughing, she shook it.

“What do I win if you lose?” she asked.

His eyebrows rose. “What do I win if you lose?”

Just then, Sophia burst into the room, grabbed Lucas’s arm with her good one, and pulled him through the rest of the house.

Avery stepped out on the back deck and looked out over the small yard and the water beyond. She couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to live there herself. She and Lucas.

“There you are,” Sophia said, stepping outside. “Gosh, look at this yard and view.” The girl turned to her. “It would be amazing to live here.” She turned in a circle.

“Yes, it would,” Avery agreed.

“If Mom doesn’t go for it, Lucas should buy it. He can’t live above his restaurant forever, you know.” Sophia nudged her. “Like you said, his bed is on the floor.” She wiggled her eyebrows.

“Not for long,” Lucas said, stepping outside. “We’re dropping everything off before we head to Edgeview. Parker and his crew are waiting to help us move it all upstairs. Which means, we’d better head out. Thanks for showing us the place. I’ll let you know what my mother thinks.”

“Sure, anytime,” Hannah said as they headed out.

“Avery, I’ll see you at rehearsals next week.” Hannah hugged her.

“Wouldn’t miss it. I’ve got your bachelorette party all planned out.” She held in a squeal of delight.

“You’re still keeping it a secret from me?” Hannah groaned.

Avery laughed and made a motion over her lips as if she were zipping them closed.

Hannah groaned and nudged her towards the door. “Go, and take your secrets with you.” Her friend’s laughter was intoxicating.

While she and Sophia sat in the truck, Lucas and Parker carried all of the furniture inside and up to Lucas’s apartment.

“At least he won’t be sleeping on a mattress on the floor any longer,” Sophia said. “Still, it’s a much nicer space than the last place he lived.”

“Where was that?” she asked, curiously.

“He rented a small house with three other people he worked with. It was a pit,” Sophia said. “His roommates were pigs.”

Avery had never had a roommate. She and Hannah had planned to move in together, but the cottage only had one real bedroom. There was no way either of them were going to live on the hide-a-bed in the living room.

The ride to Edgeview was oddly quiet. At one point, Avery was convinced that Sophia had fallen asleep. Her head rested against her shoulder.