Page 83 of What Started In Deception

“What if we just stay here for the rest of our lives?”

She laughed again. “There’s a laundry and powder room off the living room.”

“I’ll check it out later,” he said as he trailed his gaze around again, taking in more of the details: white walls, black metal accents, plants and flowers that someone clearly watered. Oatmeal-colored area rugs in the living and dining spaces, a pretty patterned backsplash that popped on the kitchen wall, cozy cream-colored blankets on the plush beige furnishings.

“Do you want to see upstairs?”

“I do.”

“Come on,” she said, leading the way, carrying the stuff that she’d brought in with her.

He followed her up the stairs with his own stuff, stepping into the massive bedroom suite that took up the entire second story, finding the space just as beautiful as downstairs.

There were more wooden beams, a ceiling fan, a king-size bed, and a white rug that took up a large chunk of the wood floor. Dressers and side tables that had undoubtedly cost a small fortune decorated various spaces against the walls. A small sitting area, complete with two sink-in chairs and another fireplace, filled the corner. Thriving plants and flowers added color and coziness. And then there was the view through windows that took up most of the water-facing side of the room.

He tore his gaze away from the dark-blue water. “Let me ask you again. How do you leave this place every summer?”

She shrugged as she grinned. “I love Oliver Heights. But I also love knowing that I can come back here anytime I want.”

He moved to the bathroom, looking at the large glass shower, garden tub, and long counter with two sinks. Lush greenery, teak accents, and several candles accentuated the different shades of white. “I mean, come on, Lyd.”

She laughed. “Gram-Gram gave this to me as a high school graduation/eighteenth birthday gift.”

He raised his brow. “It’s a hell of a present.”

She nodded. “It didn’t look like this originally. Gram-Gram had the whole house gutted. Then she hired a couple of interior designers that we worked with for several months while she was in DC and I was finishing up high school in Oliver Heights. When I came back the summer before I left for college, this was mine to live in.”

“Well, it’s phenomenal.”

“Yeah,” she said on a sigh. “Gram-Gram wanted me to have a space that was all my own. I think she was afraid that I would stop coming once I left for college.”

He frowned. “I can’t see you doing that.”

She shook her head. “They mean too much to me. My family. Everything about this place.”

“You guys did a hell of a job.”

She smiled. “I’m happy that you like it. I want you to make yourself at home.”

“I feel at home. Trust me.”

She smiled at him again. “We’ll figure out drawers and closet space later.”

He shrugged. “I’m in no hurry.”

“Do you want to go into town and grab something to eat? There aren’t a ton of options here. Mostly, Shoalmans Bay is pretty tiny and really crowded with vacationers this time of year, but they have a great pizza place on Ocean Boulevard.”

“Yeah, that sounds great.”

“I figure we can go grocery shopping tomorrow since it’s getting pretty late.”

He nodded. “We can do whatever you want.”

They headed back downstairs, and he snagged her hand as they started down the path toward the driveway, as the sun sank closer to the horizon. They both stopped when they heard a woman’s voice.

“You’re here.” A slim, gorgeous blonde with big blue eyes rushed their way with a sleeping baby in one arm. MacKenna Monroe.

Lydia squealed as she let Ty go, hurrying forward to wrap her arms around her. “I’ve missed you so much.”