Page 55 of Finding Michael

“I’m not with you.” His throat hurt from growling and arguing. He held on to his composure, but not by much. Rose had to think he’d lost his damn mind. He narrowed his eyes. “Cody, you were at the library. What did you do?”

“I don’t even know where it is.”

Rose ventured into the house. “Gentlemen, I’d like to lock up.”

“Wait.” Tristan needed a moment. “Are we zoned for a non-profit in this area?”

“As long as the center stays non-profit, yes.” Rose nodded. “You turn it into a for-profit and you’ll have problems.”

“What’s the asking price?” Tristan massaged his temples. “What…eighty thou?”

“Yes, but they’ll come down. There’s work needed on the back porch and general upkeep that hasn’t been done. We can get them down to sixty, I think.” She fiddled with her cell phone. “I can ask.”

“Fine.” Tristan nodded. “Put in an offer for sixty-one and see what they say.”

“Our dream home,” Cody shouted. He clapped his hands. “I’m so excited.”

He ignored Cody. “I’ll sign whatever. I want this moving forward.”

“I’ll make the calls.” Rose pointed to the front porch. “But why don’t we lock up and you can sleep on it. I’m sure they will.”

“Sure.” Tristan turned to Cody. “I’m not buying this house as a place for us. Why? There is no us. Why else? Because the money isn’t for me or my needs. It’s from my uncle and it’s earmarked for a shelter for the LGBT youth of Sullavan.”

“He’s dead and this doesn’t look like a Mecca for LGBT youth.” Cody rolled his eyes. “Whatever. You always want to be the savior.”

“Someone has to be.” He hated Cody. How in the world had he ever carried on a relationship with such a narcissistic asshole?

“You sound like Dennis,” Cody snapped. “Is the book done?”

Where did that question come from?“Not yet, but I’m close.”

“He’ll be happy then.”

Tristan left the house and stood by his car. The moonlight stretched across the lawn and illuminated the vehicles. “What are you talking about? You switched on a dime again. Who is going to be happy?”

“Dennis.” Cody toyed with his keys. “Don’t you know?”

“Obviously I don’t.” Tristan leaned against the fender. “Is this so I’ll come back to New York? Fake interest or something?”

“Uh, yeah.” Cody laughed without humor. “You don’t know, do you?”

“Know what?” Now he was confused. “Make sense please?”

“Dennis hasn’t told you?”

“What?” One more question and he’d lose his temper.

“You’ll have to ask him, then. Holy shit.” Cody threaded his fingers together on top of his head. “Wow.”

“What? Say it before I blow my cork and I’m really close.” He balled his hands. “Cody.”

“He’s in love with you. You’re supposed to go back to New York so he can tell you how he feels,” Cody said. “How did you miss that?”

“He’s my butler.”He’s in love with me? How?

“Right. Because no one ever does the help. Really? You’re not this naïve.” Cody shook his head.

“He’s like a father to me.” And not at all on his dating radar. He wasn’t even in the ballpark for possible hook-ups.

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