Page 9 of Designing Love
“A house, you say?” Simon beams, leaning forward so eagerly his chair creaks dangerously. “Don’t tell me you’re considering putting your gem of a beach house up for sale? I’d be happy to take that on, you know… “
I sigh, already regretting my decision. “Just looking at an investment opportunity. The old Miller House — what can you tell me about it?”
Simon’s eyes widen, almost cartoonishly. “The Miller House? That quirky disaster waiting to happen?”
“It’s not that bad,” I protest, trying not to sound defensive. “It’s got potential. Charm, character —”
“Raccoons,” Simon interjects, holding up a finger solemnly. “Charm, character, and raccoons. Possibly ghosts.”
I roll my eyes, refusing to be deterred. “I still want to see it.”
“You realize you’ll be singlehandedly funding my retirement, right?” Simon smirks, digging through his desk drawers noisily, papers flying everywhere.
“That bad, huh?”
“Let’s just say my commission could fund a nice little trip to Bora Bora,” Simon grins wickedly, finally producing a dusty file folder labeled in faded marker: MILLER HOUSE. “This place has been sitting untouched for years, Ethan. What’s the sudden interest?”
I hesitate, knowing full well Simon’s penchant for spreading rumors faster than wildfire. “Investment, mostly. Freelance life’s been good lately.”
“Oh right, your mysterious tech money,” Simon muses, eyeing me suspiciously.
“Something like that,” I reply vaguely, feeling a blush creep up my neck.
Simon smirks, seemingly unsatisfied with my answer.
“So, when shall we tour this haunted treasure of yours?”
“Today,” I decide impulsively. “Let’s get it done.”
“Excellent,” Simon practically chirps, standing abruptly and nearly knocking over his chair. “But first, coffee — strong coffee. You’re going to need it.”
I sigh dramatically but follow him out anyway, strangely excited despite Simon’s gloomy warnings. If it gives me a reason to spend time with Sophia and get to know her — even just a little — it’ll be worth battling raccoons, ghosts, and Simon’s relentless teasing.
* * *
The Old Oak glows softly in the amber hue of vintage sconces, filled with the low hum of laughter and glasses clinking in celebration. The cozy warmth seeps into my bones as I slide into a booth across from Claire, who eyes me suspiciously over her beer.
“Okay, Ethan, what’s going on? I heard you visited Simon Baxter’s earlier. Did I accidentally wander into an alternate universe?”
I chuckle, signaling the bartender for my usual IPA. “Relax. I’m still sane — mostly.”
Claire arches an eyebrow skeptically. “Debatable. But seriously, Simon? The town’s most notorious hustler of real estate disasters? Why are you even talking to him?”
I hesitate, swirling the coaster on the polished table, suddenly unsure how to phrase this without sounding completely ridiculous. “Correction, the town’s only real estate agent. But that’s kind of beside the point. I... bought the old Miller House.”
Claire nearly spits out her drink, covering her mouth. “Excuse me? You, Ethan Reed, buying that falling-down wreck? Have you finally snapped?”
“It’s not a wreck,” I protest defensively, though her skeptical look tells me she disagrees vehemently. “Okay, maybe it needs a bit of... work. But you know I’ve been intrigued with that house all my life. As a kid, I’d invent stories about it. And I’ve been thinking about buying it to flip it, I’ve just been too busy.”
“A bit of work?” Claire laughs, incredulous. “The last time I checked, it needed an exorcism.”
“It’s quirky,” I insist stubbornly, tapping my fingers nervously against the tabletop. “And it’s a great opportunity.”
Claire narrows her eyes suspiciously. “Hold on. You love your place, Ethan. You’ve spent years making it perfect. Making it you. Why would you even consider selling it?”
I hesitate, a flush creeping up my neck. “You know me, I’ve been wanting another project like that. Money burning my pockets and all that.”
Claire’s eyes widen slowly with realization, and then she breaks into an enormous grin, leaning forward eagerly. “Oh my gosh. It’s about the new girl, Sophia, isn’t it? I heard she’s a designer. Ethan Reed, you’re buying a house just to impress a girl?”
