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Annie gathered the clothing scattered around my room. “Emma is letting me stay on her couch for a while. Just until I find something to rent that’s not too expensive. I’ll have better luck once the tourist season is over.”
I sat up, gathering the sheets at my waist and frowning at her. No way in hell Annie was couch surfing, but what other option was there?
Move in. Let’s go all in on this thing and see what happens.
The mere thought of living with Annie brought warring emotions of elation and total dread. Opening myself up completely was a mistake I’d made with Margo and not something I was in a hurry to repeat. It was safer to make sure I wasn’t royally fucking things up with Annie by moving too fast.
But I could take care of her.
Finding her shirt tangled in the sheets, I playfully tossed it in her direction. “Get dressed. I have an idea.”
* * *
Standingat the threshold of the apartment above the barn at Highfield House, I swung the door open. “Home sweet home.”
Annie looked at me before stepping inside. “Lee, what did you do?”
I shrugged. “I called and asked Aunt Tootie for a favor. With Lark and Wyatt building their place, you’ve got them nearby, but no one’s using the apartment.”
In high school, the small apartment had been the location of many, many Sullivan parties. Friends would dare each other to explore the giant, creepy-ass barn downstairs, and the apartment became a teenage gathering place of sorts. When Lark came to Outtatowner, Tootie had cleaned it up and offered the unused space for her to live while she nannied for Wyatt. It wasn’t long before those two were hooking up and she moved in.
The apartment was perfect until I could figure out how to convince her I wasn’t going anywhere.
How was I ever going to manage to keep her?
Annie twirled in the kitchen and sighed. “I’ve always loved this place.”
I smiled. “I know.”
Annie moved to the window, then separated the curtains and looked out across the driveway to Highfield House. “It’s the dreamiest farmhouse. There’s so much potential, you know?”
I swallowed thickly. Annie always saw potential in everything—mean old dogs, ancient farmhouses, playboys who peaked in high school.
“Will you live here for now? Please?”
She turned with a wide grin and a nod. “I think I can make it work.”
I exhaled in relief. “Thank god. I thought you were going to be a pain in the ass and make me take you over my knee to get you to agree.”
Playful desire flashed in her eyes. “Well ... if that’s on the table, then...” Annie crossed her arms with defiance glittering in her eyes. “I refuse.”
She twirled, taunting me with a wiggle of that full, round ass.
I swatted her butt, and her playful yelp and giggle calmed my nerves. I followed as Annie walked through the space, letting her hand drag against the well-worn laminate countertops.
“Man.” She sighed. “I haven’t been up here in years.”
I tucked my hands into my pockets and rocked back on my heels. “Lark dressed it up a bit when she was staying here, but since she moved in with Wyatt, it’s been empty. I talked with Tootie, and she said that you could stay here as long as you need to. Rent free.”
The apartment kitchen was small but had everything she might need to be comfortable—microwave, fridge, oven and stove, and a small dining table in the center with four chairs tucked beneath it.
The space opened to a living room that was only slightly larger. The sofa was sturdy, but I knew from a few nights laid out on it that it was worn and lumpy in spots. It would have to do for now.
In the corner, next to a side table that had a vase and some fake flowers in it, was the infamous green chair. A lifetime ago I had dubbed it my lucky chair because, well, I’d gotten lucky on it plenty of times. Suddenly the humor of broadcasting my conquests faded, and I hated seeing that chair in what was now Annie’s space.
Her eyes tracked mine to where I scowled down at the recliner. “Well, look at that. The lucky chair has survived all this time.”
Annie ran a fingertip across one of the armrests.
