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Everyone stood around the kitchen island eating and looking at her, waiting for the update.
"Nothing. Most places had a waiting list."
Jess sighed. "I wish Remi and I had more room. You're welcome to the couch as long as you need it though. We'll make do."
"Have you talked to anyone at Blackwater Ranch?" Jameson asked as he pulled his phone from his pocket. "I can ask Felicity right now."
Jameson's sister, Felicity, married one of the Hardings at Blackwater Ranch, and they were always willing to help someone in need.
Jess held up a hand. "I already asked. They're full."
"What about your parents?" Ava asked.
Everly's gut wrenched at the thought. "I love them, but that'll be the last resort. They’re hours away, and I really don't want to leave Blackwater."
"We don't want you to either," Ava said quickly. "I was just thinking of all options."
Everly's parents were great, and they'd let her move back in if she needed to, but she'd been on her own for years, and moving in with them would be ten steps back. Plus, they'd just bought a house and settled down three years ago. Everly hadn’t ever thought of the place as her home since she hadn’t lived there.
Ridge laid the slice of pizza he’d been eating back on the plate. “You can stay at our place.”
Everly’s attention cut to Blake whose gaze was locked on her. Had Ridge and Blake already talked about this, or was Ridge offering in the spur of the moment?
Blake was stone still, waiting for her response.
“Well, we haven’t talked about it at all,” Everly said.
Ridge pointed to Blake. “We have. We have plenty of space and three guest rooms. It doesn’t seem right to have all that space not being used when you need it.”
Everly and Ridge had always been close, but they hadn’t actually lived together much in their lives, unless you counted the smaller hotel rooms they’d packed in with their parents when they were younger.
And Blake. Blake lived there too. They saw a lot of each other at work, but living with someone was next level. While she liked the idea of spending more time with Blake, living in the same house was intimidating.
Maybe she was putting too much stock in her feelings. After all Blake had done for her today, yesterday, and the many years before, it was hard to look at him like he was just another friend. He wasn’t, and though her emotions were all mixed up, she definitely had feelings for Blake.
She looked at Blake. “What do you think?”
“I think it’s a good idea. Ridge is right. We have more room than the two of us need.”
Ridge lifted a brow. “Is that a yes, then?”
Everly looked at Blake again, searching his expression for answers. “Are you sure you’d be okay having me around? I’ll try not to be too in the way.”
Blake’s grin quirked up on one side, and he leaned in. “I’d be happy to have you closer,” he whispered.
The low, deep words sent a tingling down her spine. Maybe she and Blake both wanted to be a little too close. Living together could complicate things.
But they weren’t in a relationship, and though he’d hinted at feelings, he hadn’t outright said he wanted to date her. Maybe she wasn’t his type. Actually, she didn’t know if Blake had a type. He’d dated a few women since they met, and she couldn’t remember much about any of them.
“Okay, then.” She swallowed the tingling thrill at the thought of spending more time with Blake. “Sounds like I’m staying with you guys.” She held up a finger. “But only until I find another place.”
Ridge nodded. “You can get some things together for tonight, and we’ll come back tomorrow for the rest.”
“Oh, I thought I’d just stay here until Wednesday,” Everly said.
“You can, but I don’t like the idea of David showing up while you’re here alone again,” Ridge said.
“I don’t like that either,” Jess added. “You know he won’t leave town without showing up again.”
