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“Nice.” Julius tipped back his beer and took a long swallow.
Across the room, the women were gathered around the table where platters of food were set out. The four of them talked and laughed, passing babies between them. Jennings couldn’t tear his eyes off Wren for long, though. She was the brightest star in the sky to him. Glowing brighter than all the rest.
Livingston clapped him on the shoulder, gaining his attention. “So? How was the house tour?”
He darted a look at Wren again. “Keep your voice down.”
“Wait—she doesn’t know you looked at the house next door to buy it?”
“No. I wanted to check it out first. I didn’t want her to be disappointed if it was a dump.”
“And is it?”
“No. It needs some remodeling, but the inspector who looked at it says it’s sound.”
Livingston nodded. “Are you planning to make an offer?”
“I’m not sure yet. I don’t think it’s fair to make a big decision like that without Wren being on board.”
“Well, you’re in the neighborhood. Ask her what she thinks about it.”
He eyed his friend. “I’m still not sure I want to live so close to you. You don’t have the greatest track record with keeping your homes standing.”
Though two of his homes had burned down now, Livingston only laughed. “Third time’s the charm.” He waved a hand at the beautiful home he’d built for his family.
At that moment, Wren broke away from the ladies and moved toward Jennings. She searched his eyes. “What are you looking so serious about? Did these guys scare you with fatherhood stories?”
He gave her a solemn nod. “Yes.”
She slapped him in the arm. “I know you’re joking. Come and get some snacks. Dove made these amazing little rolls…”
He shrugged at the guys and allowed his wife to lead him to the food table. His mind wasn’t on snacks, though. It was on that house next door.
Buying a home was always the dream. But Wren might not want to live next to the Livingstons. She was still working on her residency and would already have to put that on pause—again—to have the baby that neither of them had expected to come so soon.
She caught his gaze. “What’s going on with you, Jennings?”
He studied her beautiful face. There was no point in pretending that he wasn’t distracted as hell.
Linking his hand with hers, he tugged. “Come outside with me.”
Shooting him a worried glance, she hesitated before nodding.
When they slipped out of the house, his chest grew tight. For some reason, this felt just as momentous in their relationship as seeing that positive sign on their pregnancy test.
He led her down the steps and across the short span of grass between properties.
“Jennings, aren’t we trespassing? These people won’t want us walking on their lawn!”
“It’s okay, baby. Nobody lives here.”
He took her to the cracked sidewalk leading to the front door. “Now, the sidewalk needs replaced.”
“Okay? What are we doing out here?”
He stopped and took her by the shoulders, positioning her to look at the house. “I don’t like the blue either.”
“I don’t understand.”
