“I know. I missed it three times my first day of work.” Grace unlatched Samuel’s car seat from its base. Still half-asleep, he sucked his thumb as she led the trio along the pathway to the front of the house. A stone wall curved around the paver patio, complete with fire pit. Ashley and Nicole paused to comment on the gorgeous view of the canyon while Shanice took Samuel’s carrier so Grace could dig into her pocket for the key Roman had given her.
As soon as Grace walked in, she knew she was in deep trouble. Shanice followed closely behind and gasped.
The living room alone was bigger than the apartment Grace had shared with Patrick. The kitchen was small, but efficient, everything state-of-the-art. Rather than linoleum, the floor was expensive cream-colored travertine. Grace stood rooted in shock. Swooning, Ashley and Nicole pushed past her and went exploring.
“Oh, wow!” Ashley cried out. “Come look at the bedroom!” Numb, Grace followed and stared. A California king-size bedroom set would fit easily, if she had one. Her twin bed and nightstand would be lost in here. One door opened into a walk-in closet bigger than her bedroom at the Garcia home.
“Wait until you see the bathroom!” Ashley laughed in wonder.
Grace admired the yellow-and-white marble floor and counter, two white porcelain sinks with shiny chrome fixtures, a Jacuzzi tub big enough for two.
Nicole stepped into the small hideaway lavatory and flushed the toilet. She squealed with delight. “It’s an integrated toilet and bidet!”
Ashley opened a shower door. “There’s a rainfall showerhead and jets in the walls!”
“And you’re wondering if you should move in?” Nicole laughed. “This place is fantastic!”
“Tone it down, girls.” Shanice spoke with less enthusiasm. “We’ve yet to meet the commander of the fortress.”
Roman debated whether to wear his usual jeans and T-shirt or put on more formal slacks and tuck in a button-down shirt, but knew Grace would be immediately suspicious. So, he cranked up his usual style with black jeans and a navy-blue polo, front tucked in behind a brass anchor buckle. He raked his hands through his hair. Maybe he should’ve shaved, but he didn’t want to look like this meeting was the biggest event of his weekend. Even if it was.
Why should this girl’s opinion matter to him?
Because she had class, and having her around reminded him how far he had come up in the world. Unlike other women, who just wanted to drag him back down again.
Roman saw the cars arrive from an upper window, but waited another twenty minutes before strolling the paver walkway between the main house and the cottage. If she accepted his offer, she’d be living less than a thousand feet away. He wouldn’t be entirely alone out here, not that it had bothered him all that much until now.
The front door stood open, and women’s happy, excited voices drifted out. Unfortunately, Grace’s wasn’t one of them. He knocked on the doorjamb to announce his presence. Grace appeared, her expression enigmatic. “We were just looking around.”
“I know.”
She stepped aside so Roman could enter and introduced him to her three friends. Strawberry-blonde Ashley O’Toole stared at him with wide blue eyes. Nicole Torres shook his hand firmly. Shanice Tyson looked closer to the kind of girl he understood. Experienced, tough, street-smart, even if she was wearing designer clothes. She held a baby on her hip and gave him a polite, if somewhat cool, nod. He caught the wind of distrust blowing from her direction, the alpha female he’d have to win over.
He extended his hand to Shanice first and looked her straight in the eye. “It’s good to know Ms. Moore has friends who look out for her.” He included the other two women with a glance. Grace stood by, watchful, noncommittal. She wasn’t going to be rushed into any decision, not this girl. Roman told her he was on his way out for the afternoon—a lie, but good for a quick exit. “I’ll leave you all to discuss the pros and cons.”
Grace walked him out the door. “It’s far more than I expected.”
“It’s just standing here, empty.” Would that be enough to silence any further doubts? “It’s yours if you want it.”
“I still need to think about it.”
What had her so worried? “Talk it over with your friends. I want you to feel comfortable with your decision.” Comfortable enough to move in, anyway. “I’ll see you Monday morning, Ms. Moore.”
Roman walked along the path to the main house. He could feel her gaze fixed on him, but didn’t look back. He recognized defensive walls when he saw them. He had them, too. He’d give her the same space and courtesy he wanted. For now.