Page 102 of Mr. Flirt

“This is all so...” I waved my hands around. “This is a lot.”

Shep glanced around the house and brought his eyes back to mine.

“I didn’t grow up with this kind of normal. The townhome I bought myself was the nicest home I’ve lived in.”

“And it’s gorgeous,” he added. “It’s amazing. You’re amazing.”

“I just...” I closed my eyes and shook my head. “I can’t believe I’m admitting this, but I feel out of my league.”

Surprise splashed across Shep’s face. “Over this house?”

I nodded slowly.

“Lucy, you are out of my league. You could stomp my guts in court, and I pray you never will. You eat men like me for breakfast. You’re smarter than any woman I’ve met, and I’ve met a lot of them.” He closed his mouth when he realized what that sounded like.

I chuckled. “I know I’ve got brains. It’s not like that. It’s just these are things I’ve dreamed of providing for myself and my family, and here you have it all. I mean, you had a chef come out to prepare meals? I mean, I’m excited when I go to the swanky grocery store on the way home and pick up some prepared meals.”

“All I did was get lucky in life, and I do that most of the time myself.”

“I don’t believe that for a second,” I assured him. “You created a highly addictive platform akin to crack that makes me giddy just thinking about it. That takes talent, dedication, and hard work.”

“Well, then, thank you for buying the chandelier indirectly.” He winked at me and grimaced at the same time. “I know my upbringing put me in a solid place before any of this happened. I mean, I’m fully aware that while my dad was busy entertaining ladies other than my mom at our lake house, we kind of had a lot.”

“And we had very little.” I couldn’t believe this was hitting me so hard. “But you seem so down to earth.”

“Realizing what my father did to my mom all those years ago and what she sacrificed for us made me strive to do better. I wanted to show my dad that I could be just as successful. I could have more than one house. I could have lots of cars. But I could treat people well while doing so. Sometimes, I think my parents’ divorce didn’t screw with me, and other times, I know it completely skewed how I view things. But this.” Shep twirled his finger around the room. “It’s just stuff.”

My chest started to loosen as Shep’s words sank into me. He might always seem fun and carefree, but his father’s actions messed him up more than he cared to admit. Just like mine had.

“You’re right. I don’t know why I let this big house and your fancy cars get to me.” I chuckled, feeling kind of silly about it. Life wasn’t a competition, and even if it were, we all had to begin at our own starting line.

“I have a confession.”

“Oh, no,” I muttered, shaking my head.

“I don’t want to turn out like my dad. I don’t see myself living in a condo in the middle of Seattle for the rest of my life. This is what I want. A house. A family to fill the house. I’m tired of the chase, Lucy. I don’t want to be single forever.”

I nodded, feeling a lump in my throat. Was this where we would start over? Really start over and peel back the layers?

So what that he’d made a mockery of a matchmaking event? He’d confessed and felt bad about it and swore to leave bets and pranks behind.

Shep was letting me see a side of him that was rare to the outside world. I could feel it deep within me. I wanted to believe in the idea of love.

He looped his fingers through mine and pulled me toward a great room down a hall overlooking the snowy woods. A stone fireplace took up the corner, reaching toward the second story.

“This is beautiful,” I said, seeing an ivory bouclé sectional that looked cozy enough that I wanted to dive onto it and never leave.

I couldn’t even imagine what it was like to spend the holidays up in the mountains in a lodge like this. The idea had become a definite family goal for Mae and me.

Shep squeezed my hand and let out a deep breath.

“I hope you like it here,” Shep said softly.

I turned and looked into his beautiful blue eyes, feeling a flutter of something I couldn’t decipher. “This place is really special, Shep. I hope your dream comes true someday.”

His eyes locked on mine, and he nodded. “Me too.”

Chapter Thirty-One

---