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I shoot her a look. She just smirks. And for the first time since returning, I don’t feel entirely alone.
Chapter four
Bryan
The Marina Bar is buzzing, filled with the usual mix of locals, tourists, and fishermen unwinding after a long day. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, the marina stretches out, boats bobbing lazily under the fading orange sky. Inside, the scent of grilled seafood, salt air, and beer lingers.
I sit at our usual corner booth, nursing a root beer, my fingers tapping against the glass. Buddy sprawls at my feet, his tail giving a slow, rhythmic thump.
I should be focused on business. But my mind is still stuck on the will. Three months. With her.
I rub a hand down my face, scowling. What was Grandma Gracie thinking? The door swings open, and Nate and Liam stride in, bringing their usual energy with them.
Spotting me immediately, they head over. Squatting beside Buddy, they give him a few rubs which he lazily enjoys before gobbling up the treats they each brought with them.
Nate claps my shoulder as he slides into the booth. “You look like you just got hit by a truck.”
I grunt. “You should see the truck.”
Liam smirks, slipping in next to him. “That bad?”
I shake my head, exhaling slowly. “You wouldn’t believe the junk I was told today.”
Nate leans back, stretching an arm over the booth. “Alright, now I’m interested.”
Liam signals to the waitress for drinks. “Let me guess, another fishy account?”
I huff out a humorless laugh. “Try living arrangement.”
Nate frowns. “What?”
Liam tilts his head. “You don’t have a roommate.”
I drag a hand down my face. “Yeah. About that.”
Their brows lift, and I can already tell they’re bracing for something ridiculous. I lean forward, deadpan. “I went to see Henshaw today.”
Nate straightens, interest sparking. “Oh, right, you mentioned that earlier. What’d he want?”
I roll my shoulders. “To tell me that I own half of Gracie’s house.”
"Whoa. I mean, what about Emma?"
I tense hearing her name. I recall the distraught look on her face when Henshaw told her the terms. Did I repulse her so much that the idea of staying under the same roof with me was abhorrent to her? I shouldn't care about what she thinks of me but somehow is all I can think of.
"She owns the other half,"
Liam shrugs. “Okay… and I still don't see where the living arrangement comes in. You can decide to sell your half to her.”
“And I can’t do anything with it unless I live there with her for three months.”
Silence. Then Nate laughs. Loud.
Liam blinks. “Wait. What?”
Nate leans forward, grinning. “Are you kidding? Gracie is something else.”
Liam’s mouth quirks. “She really wants you to live with Emma?”