Page 86 of Summer Heat
"You don't sound excited."
We moved toward the slider that exited out to the grounds. The view was grass and then more condos. "It'll work."
It just didn't feel like a home. I was tired of living in rentals.
"How is the landlord?"
"He should be better than your current one."
"That's good news. I can't take any more flooding."
"This is a newer complex, not a house, so you shouldn't have that issue."
"Good."
She locked up. "I have a few more places to show you."
I was fairly set on this one even if it didn't excite me at all. But I was curious about what she found and didn't want to be alone with Shep. When Maya was home, she'd act as a buffer.
Ivy drove me to another apartment complex which was older and needed updates.
The third one was a house, which I would have loved, but it was way out of my budget. We sat at the coffee shop, sipping our drinks. "I think it will be the first place."
"Do you want to think about it more?"
"I need a place to stay before the wedding, and it's furnished." It was perfect for us. But I had a feeling that Maya wasn't going to like the move. She'd grown close to Shep and loved his house. How do you go from living in a mansion with a pool on the beach to a rental property? The complex didn't have a fitness center or a pool. That was what made it affordable.
Ivy cradled the mug in both hands. "I want you to be happy, and I'm not getting good vibes from you."
I grimaced. "It's a big change from where we're living."
Ivy smiled. "You mean Shep's mansion on the beach? That would spoil anyone. It's a Realtor's dream."
"We're going to miss it." I was going to miss him.
"Did Shep say you needed to move now? Maybe we could take our time and find something that would be better. I know you want furnished, but if you bided your time, something could come on the market."
"I overheard Jon talking to Shep. He wants me to move out before the wedding so no one talks about his employee living with his son."
Ivy winced. "I'm sorry. That must have been rough to hear."
"It's fine. But to answer your question, I have to move now." There was a voice in my head reminding me that Shep was amazing with me and Maya. That he said he wanted more and that he wanted me.
He was fairly adamant about that on Friday night. I felt wanted. Loved even. But he hadn't said the words. He hadn't mentioned taking our relationship to the next level.
He hadn't been in a long-term relationship before. Why would I think he'd want to be in one now?
I shoved any thoughts that he made me feel different and special out of my head. I had to do what was right for me and Maya. I needed to preserve my job and my pride.
It had hurt too much to watch Shep with other women last night. I never wanted to go through that again.
"You have to do what's right for you," Ivy said, solidifying my decision.
What was right was moving out of Shep's home and standing on my own two feet. "I want the first apartment."
The life of glitz and glam was over for me. I had to be realistic about what to expect. The longer we lived in this fantasy world with the Kingstons, the more I'd want it, and it wasn't fair to my heart or to Maya's.
Chapter Twenty-Three
