Page 7 of Score on You

“Me? I’m an innocent bystander in this titillating foreplay. Tootles, boss.” Harper waves at him in farewell. “We’ll holler if there are any questions.”

My foot catches on a pebble and I stumble. “We will?”

“Yeah, he volunteered to be our middleman.”

I treat myself to a parting glance at him while Harper steers me toward the porch steps. “Why?”

Her fingers tap at a keypad above the knob to grant us entry. “The owner is some big shot real estate shmooze.”

“Really?” I balk when there’s a loud beep followed by a green light.

Without further delay, Harper shoves the door open. Keys aren’t necessary to grant us entry. Noted.

She giggles at my sputtered reaction. “No idea what the story is behind this place. Just making shit up. Ridge said we can contact him about the contract terms and such. He gave me the code to get in, but was skimpy on the details otherwise. It’s a tad sketchy and secretive, which is totally on-brand for him.”

“It is?”

She hums. “Except when you’re concerned. He’s made his intentions blatantly transparent.”

“What do you—?” But my question trickles to a stop as I gawk at the paradise we’ve stepped into. “Um, wow. It’s fully furnished.”

“That’s putting it mildly,” she muses.

My jaw goes slack. “Is all this included?”

“I guess?”

Any concern about my lack of belongings whisks away. “Now I’m certain this isn’t real. Are we in a dream sequence?”

Harper removes her sandals and strides toward the open area that’s arranged as a living room. “Either that or we’ve walked into an interior design concept staged straight from Pinterest.”

Once she mentions that, a realization surrounds me like a comforting embrace. I wouldn’t know about the popular app—or have a cellular phone—if it wasn’t for her. She taught me the basics, along with a crash course for social media. The overall style resembles an inspiration board I recently created. My feet are frozen to the foyer tiles as I digest the cozy aesthetic.

“Yeah,” I breathe. “I wasn’t expecting to find my vision brought to life.”

“Don’t be too shocked. Stranger things have happened,” she chimes while skipping to the fireplace.

A smile automatically lifts my lips as I admire the simplistic layout. I slip off my shoes before wading deeper into the space that’s beckoning to me. Plush fibers from the cream carpet tickle my toes. A bay window with a bench seat underneath allows natural light to spill in. There’s an ethereal glow shining across every surface.

My approval continues to climb as I twirl in a lazy circle. It’s neat and tidy. No dust or clutter in sight. The walls are bare. I realize there aren’t many decorations either, as if the house is waiting to receive a personal touch. I’ll gladly oblige. This room is bright and modern and exactly what I would’ve chosen for myself.

Neutral and cool hues partner into a cohesive blend. I study the combination that’s pleasing to my taste. The crisp palate creates a relaxing atmosphere, which allows me to easily envision myself at home.

Pops of blue and green are splashed throughout. Navy throw pillows sit on the tan couch. Separate sections of glass stained in shades of emerald and jade are inlaid within the stone mantle. A patterned rug is spread out diagonally under a rustic coffee table. The wood is cut into an uneven rectangle that gives it a rare quality.

Every item fits together like pieces of a puzzle to create the big picture. If one thing is misplaced, the entire mood will be thrown off balance. I’m afraid to touch anything.

Harper doesn’t share my hesitation. She flops onto the oversized chair near the empty bookshelf and then kicks her feet onto the matching ottoman.“Let’s make a deal.”

It’s a challenge to keep my attention trained on her. “For what?”

“You move in with Jake, and I’ll rent this masterpiece. Sydney can stay with me seeing as there’s plenty of extra space.” She motions around the generous floorplan.

My pulse stammers. “Um…”

Her stoic expression shatters when she begins cackling. “Your face is priceless. As if anyone but you could live here. Ridge practically said as much.”

“I highly doubt that.” But my belly swoops at the slight possibility of her comment being true.

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