Page 15 of One Good Puck
“It’s a pretty big house. Way more than I’ve ever needed. There’s even a guest house on the property that I’d offer up to you and your daughter, but it’s a loft. Closer to a one-bedroom, but there aren’t any walls around the actual bedroom area. I’m sure you and your daughter would like to have more space than that,” I say, then instantly regret that too. I sound like I’m bragging about my massive house to a single mom trying to make ends meet.
But judging by the warmth of her smile, she doesn’t take it that way at all.
“Wow. Your place sounds awesome. But I can’t accept, Gavin. Thank you for offering. I’m sure I’ll find something else.”
Disappointment gnaws at my gut. Yeah, I like Abby. I have a crush on her. But that’s not why I want her to stay in my house.
The thought of her having to move into some rundown place in a terrible neighborhood with her daughter makes my stomach churn. I don’t want her to have to go through that.
“Just come over and look at it. No pressure,” I say to her. She turns around again. I keep my hands in my pockets so I don’t come off too strong. I’m a big guy, and she’s five feet six inches tall.
“Bring your daughter and see if she likes it. If you don’t end up liking it, it’s all fine. You won’t hurt my feelings,promise.”
Her expression turns thoughtful, like she’s considering it. “Okay. Can I come over later this week and take a look?”
I smile. “Yeah, of course.”
Chapter 7
Abby
My eyes almost pop out of my head when I make it to the front door of Gavin’s massive house in the Belcaro neighborhood of Denver—one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the whole city.
This place is massive.
I glance down at Emma, who’s staring up at the exterior of the house with wide, unblinking eyes.
“Whoa! This place is cool,” she murmurs.
“It really is.”
I gaze at the modern farmhouse-style house. It’s made of sleek gray stone and siding that’s the same color. It’s two stories high with a massive driveaway that could probably fit a half-dozen cars. A second driveway splits off and winds along the other side of the property to a small guest house about a couple hundred feet away.
“There are two houses here?” Emma says.
I tuck a chunk of her sandy blonde hair behind her ear. “Looks like it.”
Her eyes are big. “I didn’t know you could have two houses.”
I smile at the awe in her voice. “You can have two houses if you make enough money to pay for them.”
“Does your friend have a lot of money?” Her big green eyes are curious as she looks up at me.
“Yeah, I think he does. But hey, let’s not ask him about that, okay? It’s not polite to talk about money.”
“Okay!”
“Wanna ring the doorbell?”
She nods and hits the button.
I give her hand a soft squeeze. “Remember to take off your shoes when you walk inside, okay?”
“Okay!” She glances down at the glittery pink sneakers she’s wearing and does a small hop, her tell-tale sign that she’s excited.
A few seconds later, the door opens. Gavin smiles at me. “Hi.” He looks down at Emma. “You must be Emma. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Gavin.”
“I know your name,” Emma says brightly.
