Page 110 of When Ben Loved Jace

“Which is the only thing that made it possible for us to save up for the down payment. Otherwise we’d be living paycheck to paycheck.”

“Shit,” Greg says, leaning back. “I had no idea.” He blinks. “I’m doing really well for myself. So is Michelle. We could chip in.”

“No!” I understand now why Jace was so protective of Greg’s pride, because I feel the same way about my man. He wouldn’t like being offered a handout, no matter how well-meaning. “That’s very sweet of you, but we’ll manage on our own. Maybe we’re not ready to buy a house. That’s no fault of yours. We can rent something until I start pulling my own weight.”

Greg shakes his head. “You don’t want to do that. Not if youcan help it. You’re better off putting all that money into something you own. Otherwise you’re basically giving it away.”

“I agree. But I also know from my credit cards that you can get stuck paying interest instead of the… whatever it’s called.”

“The principal.”

“Yeah. I’d love a cheap little house somewhere in a neighborhood that’s safe and quiet, but maybe that’s unrealistic for us at this point.”

Greg puffs up his chest. “I’ll make it happen.”

“We can’t accept—”

He shakes his head. “That’s not what I mean. I’ll find exactly what you want. This is what I do. Just bear with me. Between getting hitched and moving here, things have been crazy. I haven’t got a handle on the new market yet. I’m usually better at this sort of thing, I swear.”

“That’s okay.” I can’t help smirking. “We can cuddle instead.”

Greg blinks. Then he laughs. “Hey, this doesn’t reflect on my prowess. No amount of stress can keep my little guy down! Wait, I didn’t mean to call it—”

“Don’t worry, I know you’re a stud.” I lean forward and whisper in conspiring tones. “Girls talk. Michelle isveryimpressed.”

“Really?” He grins at this news. “Awesome!”

Jace returns to the table. I wish I’d had just a little more time alone with Greg, so I could ask him not to mention what we discussed. My husband wouldn’t like that I painted such a bleak picture of our financial situation, despite it being the truth. We get by, and that’s good enough for us.

“You know what?” Greg says suddenly. “I’m not feeling any of the places we’ve seen yet. Don’t get me wrong, they’re all nice, but they don’t really fit you guys. Know what I mean?”

Jace looks at me quizzically.

I shrug. I’ll share the gist of the conversation with him later. Now isn’t the time.

“I wouldn’t mind a few more options,” Jace admits.

“Perfect!” Greg says. “We’ll call it a day and start again tomorrow. For now…” He rubs his hands together. “Here come those starters!”

— — —

Despite the productive conversation, I’m still a littleapprehensive the next day. Greg’s sales pitch is more muted than usual as we drive past houses that are—thank goodness—relatively small.

“The neighborhood isn’t exactly up-and-coming,” he says, “and isn’t likely to be anytime soon. There’s no new development slated, but I’ve done some research and crime is low.” His SUV slows and pulls up in front of a single-story house with an overgrown lawn. “There isn’t a garage, but you could always park in the street and put your trailer in the driveway. You won’t be able to get it in the back, because of the privacy fence.”

“Samson would like having his own yard,” Jace says, sounding upbeat.

“The trees are nice,” I add as we get out.

Adrien’s neighborhood might be affluent, but it’s also sterile. The foliage here is untamed, the branches of gnarled trees forming a canopy above the streets. The property itself is unassuming, a cracked walkway leading to a pale-yellow house with a steepled roof. Windows line each side of the green front door. Squirrels bound out of our way and birds take flight as we approach a porch sectioned off by wooden railings.

“It’s a bit of a fixer-upper,” Greg warns after opening the door.

We’re ushered into a small living room, lavender paint peeling off the walls. I’m getting granny vibes.

“We’d have to replace the carpet,” Jace says.

“If I was you,” Greg says, “I’d pull it up. There’s a patch missing in the bedroom. You can see the hardwood floors beneath. You’d just have to restore them.”