Page 76 of Wild Card

“This is where you live with Ford?”

“For now.” I don’t elaborate my plans to build a house around the corner.

“This isn’t even a home… it’s a mansion.”

“It’s a home.”

“Talon, I can’t stay here. I’ll get lost.”

“I’ll draw you a map.”

“Seriously, I won’t feel comfortable. Isn’t this about my comfort?”

“I’ll make sure you’re comfortable.”

“You can stay with me.”

“Babe, I tried out your bed while you were showering. There is no way we can both sleep on it.”

“I’ll take the couch!” she disputes.

“You’re not sleeping on the couch.”

“Bex will come stay with me.” She uses the same excuse she tried this morning.

“Bex is working and I have the next two days off.”

She chews on her bottom lip and continues to stare in awe as I park around the back.

“I’ll stay with my grandparents.”

I click her out of her seatbelt, lifting her into my lap and threading my fingers through her hair. “I promised your family I’d take care of you. Let me do that.”

“How many bedrooms does this place have?”

“I think the floorplan says seven. Plus, the pool house.”

“Seven is a lot.”

“It’s a nice place. Celia and Doug Whitman built it with their family in mind.”

“Whitman? As in Whitman Estates? The neighborhood is named after them?”

“They developed it.”

“Wow, that’s insane.” An uneasy feeling coils in my gut and I cup her chin, trying to gauge what she’s thinking.

“Willow, your brother is a physician, and you’re soon to be a doctor. Your mother strutted into the hospital sporting Jimmy Choos, your dad wears a Rolex, and your grandparents roll around in a ninety-thousand-dollar Escalade.You’re not new to money.”

She casts her gaze upward, sucking in a breath. “No, I’m not new to money, but believe it or not, I’m pretty frugal.”

“Hundred-dollar leggings aren’t exactly frugal.”

“Those are an exception.” She straightens, a flicker of righteousness in her tone. “And I buy most on sale.”

“No complaints from me.” I squeeze her waist. “You prancing around in these tight pants and skimpy shirts is a bonus.”

She rolls her eyes. “Men are so stupid.”

---