Free Illusions of Love by Ella Price Page B

and slid my coat off. “At the time I was thinking about the future.
Now I am thinking about selling it.” He watched me for a second and I couldn’t
read his expression. He looked like he was lost in his thoughts. “Come on, I’ll
give you a tour,” I said quietly.
    I
led him through the house showing him each room. On the first floor there was a
formal dining room, a kitchen, a formal living room, a family room, a library,
a study, and two bathrooms. Upstairs were the six bedrooms. Each bedroom had
its own bathroom. Then there was a family room as well.
    “This
place is great,” He said as he followed me into the kitchen. I loved the
kitchen because it was huge. There was plenty of room for cooking; if I ever
decided to cook that is. He looked out the double doors that led onto a deck, and
opened to a huge yard that was surrounded by a fence.
    “Like
I said it was a steal. Would you like a drink?” I asked as I opened the fridge.
    He
nodded. “A beer if you have it.”
    I
handed him a beer, and got myself one as well. I sat on one of the barstools
while he continued to look around. The house really didn’t look lived in. I put
furniture in every bedroom and living room. I really had too much time on my
hands now that I thought about it. “Like I said I have room for you. You can
have any of the five bedrooms I showed you.”
    “I
think it would be nice to stay here. I’ll have my things brought over if you
don’t mind.” As he spoke he walked over to the wall and started looking at the
pictures I had hanging up.
    I
froze when I remembered there were pictures of him on that wall. I didn’t know
why I put them up or even kept them there. There were also pictures of my
family, including my uncle. He touched the one of our wedding night, and I felt
my pulse quicken. I couldn’t see his face so I had no idea what he was
thinking. There were others of us that I took during our short time as a
couple. He probably thought I was a crazy stalker. “Those all remind me of the
happier times,” I said quickly. I felt like I needed to say something. I felt
like an idiot.
    “I
didn’t know you still had them,” he said softly.
    “Ya,
so like I said I’m not home much. I attempt to keep the refrigerator stocked
and I have a lady named Mona that comes and cleans twice a week.” I was trying
to change the subject. The tension between us was a little awkward now,
especially after he saw the pictures.
    “I
can fend for myself, I promise,” he said forcing a smile.
    I
watched him for a second. He had that look on his face again. The look I
couldn’t read. My phone rang startling me a little. I looked at it and sighed.
It was work. I was being called in like always. I answered and promised to be
in soon. The suspect from the earlier robbery suddenly wanted to talk. I hung
up my phone and glanced at Cole. “I have to go in. Here is a set of keys,” I said
as I opened the drawer and pulled my extra set out.
    I
walked over and handed him the keys. He caught my hand as I turned to leave and
I looked at him. “Thank you. I appreciate this,” he said softly.
    I
smiled nervously. “It’s not a problem. I’ll see you later.” I quickly walked
toward the door before things got anymore awkward.

 
    I
walked into the station and Mandy was waiting for me. She grinned. “I told them
not to interrupt your date,” she said amused.
    “It
wasn’t a date. We are just friends and we were catching up,” I said firmly. I
wanted to convince her and myself at the same time.
    “Oh,”
she said sounding disappointed. “Where is he now?”
    I
sighed. “He is at my house. I told him he could stay with me for a couple
weeks.”
    Her
mouth dropped open in surprise. “You are sleeping with him again?”
    I
scowled. “No, I have five bedrooms in my house. He didn’t like the hotel he was
in so I told him he could stay with me. It’s only for about a month then he is
moving to France.” I walked toward the interrogation rooms