Page 14 of Just A Little Fling

“You weren’t lying. This place is amazing.”

“You should’ve seen it before. It was plastic paneling and green shag carpet.” Owen’s revulsion was too cute.

The backyard bungalow had a cute porch big enough for a chair and maybe a table for my coffee. Inside was a one-bedroom, one bath, plus the living area. There was some separation between the living room area and the eat-in kitchen. Owen’s furniture was still in there and fit the space perfectly. Since he’d said he was getting rid of it, maybe he’d let me buy it off him? It was set up like you’d expect someone who designed pretty things for a living. I peeked into the bedroom and found an old-fashioned iron bed with dark-teal walls.

“And you’re just getting rid of all this?”

“Yeah, when I designed Barrett’s house, I put together everything for how I’d want to live there with him. So everything that I’d need in his house is already there. I hoped a donation place could pick it up and solve the problem of what to do with it.”

“How much did you say the rent was?” I did my best to keep my enthusiasm tamped down. It wouldn’t matter how cute this place was, how perfect it was, or how great the location was if I couldn’t afford the rent. Prices in the city were outrageously expensive and seemed to go up exponentially every year.

“Levi said that since you’re my friend, you would get the friends and family discount.”

“Levi?”

“Yeah, the landlord. He doesn’t need the rent. At least, I don’t think he does. He works late hours and goes out of town to visit his mom fairly often. He likes to have someone around,” Owen said with a shrug.

When Owen found the message confirming the rent, I was floored. There was nowhere in the city where I could find a comparable price. I’d be shocked if I found an apartment for that amount, and I’d never find a small house for that much. I was taking it.

“When will Levi be back in town so I can sign the rental agreement?”

“Uhh, I’m not sure. Give me a second, and I’ll text him.” While Owen texted his—hopefully my—landlord, I took another tour around the house. If Owen left the furniture, I could move in tomorrow. The only things I would need to bring were my clothes and maybe some cheap dishes.

“He said if you want to go ahead and move in, you can sign the rental contract when he gets back. As long as I vouch for you, he’s good with it.”

“Are you serious?”

“I know, right? You’d think for a lawyer, he’d be more concerned about contracts.” Owen’s phone pinged again. “Oh shoot, that’s Da wondering where I am.” The texts left Owen with an excited smile and bright eyes lighting up his face.

“Good news?”

“Yes, my friend Jakob finished setting a date for us to plan our Spring Fling party.”

“The Wilde Dandies parties have gotten much better since he took over their planning.” The words tumbled out of my mouth before my brain realized what I’d said.

Owen froze. I froze.

Oh shit.

“Areyoua little?”

“No,” I sighed. Dammit. I’d worked so hard to make myself scarce when I knew Rory and Gabe were at the club. I knew neither of them would care—they were there too—that I frequented the club, but it seemed like such a boundary.But I liked Owen, and I wouldn’t lie to his face.“I’m a middle.”

“What? Does Rory know? Does Gabe? I guess Barrett knew, but I promise he never said anything.” Owen paused to consider how often Barrett and I had interacted, and he’d never even given a clue that he knew me from anywhere but Gabe’s office. “I’ve known Barrett a long, long time, and I’ve underestimated his acting skills. I wonder if I should be worried,” Owen said with an exaggerated sigh.

“No, and you know it. Nice to know he takes the club’s confidentiality clause seriously.”

“Oh. My. Gosh. You have to let me add you to the group chat.”

“Uh, wouldn’t that be awkward for Rory? His fiancé is my boss.”

Owen looked crestfallen. He’d been so excited, and I felt like I’d kicked a puppy. Did it make a difference? Gabe wasn’t in the group chat. If I never talked about work, maybe it would be okay? “Why don’t you ask Rory first? You should probably ask everyone in the group chat since they’d be outed to me.”

“Done.” Once again, Owen was back to texting at a breakneck pace. The responses came back quickly. “I’m gonna call it early: welcome to the group chat.”

CHAPTERFOUR

LEVI

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