and your friends? Do you want me to organize a room for you tonight? You’re welcome to stay in my spare room.” Richard’s eyebrows rose and fell suggestively.
I laughed and shook my head at his antics. The last couple of days, he’d eased anxiety over everything that was going on with his easy banter and quick wit. He was fast becoming a close friend. I loved his honesty even if he should have fibbed. “Thanks, but I’m fine where I am.”
He nodded. “The offer is always open.”
Today we drove inland more. Closer to where I knew Griffith University to be.
“What else didn’t you like about those houses? Remember we can always paint and change gardens and so on.”
“One I didn’t like the kitchen, too much dark wood, plus the stairs were tiny. You’d have to be careful every time you went up and down them. Another, it didn’t have a bath. All the ensuites had were showers. I mean even the one that was huge and had the room for a bath didn’t have one. The other two I didn’t like the layout, plus the one on the lake with the kitchen at the front when it should have been back looking out over the lake was just silly.’
He chuckled. “I’m glad you know what you like and want.”
I knew I shouldn’t be so critical, as it wasn’t going to be my house, but I felt the need to make my likes and dislikes known, and he did ask my opinion. “I’ll be good at these houses.”
“No. I want you to tell me what you think and which you like. Your opinion matters.”
“Okay, if you insist.” His smile was beautiful and always took my breath away. I was used to his features now and knew what to watch for and which angle my sight could look at him best.
Richard parked in front of a high gated three-storey dark brick home. He got out of the car, came around opening my door, and helped me out. He guided me to a female, and not a male like yesterday’s real estate. Like yesterday, two of Richard’s security stood close by. I recognized Cole.
“Good morning, Mr. Silverman. Miss Rodgers. I’m Susan Randal, and it’s nice to meet you both. I understand yesterday’s views weren’t what you were looking for. Wesley has asked me to show you what we have lined up for you today. This one is new to the market. From what I was told the cleaners were here yesterday as it hadn’t been done yet.” She went over to the gates, placed a key in, and punched a code into the pad. The gates opened and they all walked through.
Gazing around the front yard, I liked what I saw. It was green with a fairy arch covered in roses and a stone chair under it on one side. The other side held a path with a little bridge over an empty pond. Small palm trees lined either side of the driveway all the way to the top. The door was a dark rich burgundy wood with flower-glazed panels in it.
The realtor opened the front door, and on the wall was a large box. She went to it and typed in the numbers until the flashing screen turned green.
The entry walkway was large, and to the left was the entry to the rumpus room, which was huge.
“On your left is the rumpus room. To your right is the garage. The back of the house is the kitchen that leads out onto the patio,” the realtor said as we walked through the rumpus room to the kitchen.
The kitchen was amazing. Black granite top with all stainless steel appliances. The tiles were black. The cabinets were the same dark, rich burgundy as the front door. I loved it. The sink was an island that looked at the dining room table as if it was partly there in the kitchen, but also partly outside at the patio area.
“The garage fits three cars comfortably. It opens out the back here, too.” The realtor walked outside and we followed to see double garage doors. The patio area was spacious.
I looked up to see a balcony. Then gazed around looking for something the balcony could look upon, pausing when I saw what looked like a garden with a fence around it. Walking to the fence, I opened it and