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Ten minutes later we were on the road.

Twenty minutes after that, we got our coffees.

Five minutes after that glorious task was accomplished, we met with Cadence.

Three hours later, we’d seen four houses.

The suggested fifth had been six blocks from Jai’s parents. Different neighborhoods—and different median income levels—but Keegan would have to walk within a block of their house.

Hard no.

In the end, the two from Arnav and Foster’s area were the best choices. Hell, one was on their street.

We stood on the street before the available house closest to my new friends.

Cadence texted furiously while Jai and I sipped our waters.

“Alessandra and Smith want to meet us for lunch at Fifties. If that’s okay.” I checked my phone. “Well, late lunch. She said the kids have had a light snack. Paisley and Kyle are going to stay behind to watch a soccer match. Apparently they’re obsessed and want to watch the game live.”

Jai pursed his lips. “Again, are you sure you want me there? I can grab a cab home—”

I snagged his hand with my one that wasn’t clutching my phone. “I know we haven’t talked. But I want you in my life. It’ll be up to you in what capacity—”

“Okay!” Cadence strode over. “I managed to finagle us appointments at three and four o’clock.”

“Uh, that was generous of them.” I didn’t know much about real estate, but leaving one’s house twice in a day was a pain.

“I was honest and said we were down to two and likely to put in an offer shortly.” He met my gaze. “Your mortgage person at the credit union has everything organized, right?”

“Yep.”

“And I can draw up the offer as soon as you make a decision. We’ll make it contingent on financing and a home inspection. Both the houses are newer, but I want you to have a clear picture of what you’re dealing with.”

“I’ve contacted the inspection company, and they can send someone on Monday.”

“Perfect. So we’re good.” He clapped his hands.

“Do you want to come to lunch as well? Meet the kids?”

He grinned. “I never turn down an offer to meet new people. I heard you say Alessandra?”

“Yep.”

“Alessandra and Smith MacLean?”

“Yep. “

“I helped them find their home.”

I laughed. “Oh, wow. That must have been an interesting search.”

“Not really. I found out the house was about to go onto the market, and it had everything they were looking for—and anything else that might come up, they could, frankly afford to do themselves. So Smith offered over the asking price, and the house never officially went onthe market. We’d been scouting empty lots, but in the end, he wanted something quick.”

I considered commenting Cadence probably did very well on that transaction—the house was massive and on a huge plot of land—but that might be crass. “They were lucky to have you.”

“They’re good people. Alessandra’s from Mission City and did some great work with social services. Now she does different stuff, but it’s always to help people. I think Pride Camp is a fantastic idea. I wish it had been around when I was growing up. Okay.” He clapped his hands. “Lunch?”

“Fifties.”