Hate to Date You (Dating #4) - Monica Murphy Page 0,69
she believes you would do the house justice. You wouldn’t tear it down and build a monstrosity in its place. Nor would you tear out the yard and fill it with rock and ornamental grasses. These are all pretty much direct quotes, I might add.”
I can imagine her saying these very things.
“When you were little, you wanted to spend all of your time at their house, and nowhere else. You’d cry when you had to come home. Do you remember?” he asks softly.
I nod, sentimental memories washing over me. Nonna and me cooking together in the kitchen when I was a little girl, making a special dish for my grandfather. We’d walk the beach and collect little rocks and shells, depositing them in her flowerbeds and scattering them in the pots that are all over her front yard. I’d sleep in the guest bedroom with the window thrown open so I could hear the ocean crashing in the distance. It didn’t matter if it was warm or cold, sunny or raining, I wanted that window open. One time, I got sick. Bronchitis. Mama blamed Nonna for letting me sleep in a room with an open window and oh my God, my nonna felt so terrible.
“She also said she could envision you eventually settling down, marrying a nice man who sold real estate, and the two of you would have lots of babies.” My father sends me a helpless look. “Not sure where she got the idea about the real estate husband, but you know your nonna.”
Sometimes, my father is clueless. He’s forgetting that Carter sells real estate. My nonna? She hasn’t forgotten at all. And does she really think I’m going to marry him?
Well. It wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.
And that thought just sent me into straight panic mode.
When I still haven’t said anything, my father asks, “Are you okay with this, Stella? Do you want her house?”
“Yes,” I say without hesitation. “I want it.” My mind starts going in a million different directions. “Are you still planning on renovating it?”
“Your grandmother is,” he says. “As soon as we have the final bids from the contractors, we’re going to discuss who we’ll chose and start from there.” He levels me with a look. “You should consider yourself very lucky, my child. That your grandmother is so willing to not only give you a house that is beloved by the family and worth over a million dollars, but that she’s also willing to renovate it and cover the costs.”
I want to leap out of my chair and do a happy dance, but I keep myself under control. “I know. I’m very grateful that she’s being so generous. I don’t deserve this.”
“No, you do not. At least, not in my eyes.” Ouch. Thanks, Dad. “But your grandmother has always had a soft spot for you.”
Yes, she certainly has.
“And she said you will understand why she wants you to have the house so badly, then launched into that whole story about you marrying an agent and having lots of babies. Quite frankly, I think this is her way of telling you to get on with it and do as she asks before she dies and doesn’t get to meet the great-grandchildren you’ll give her, but perhaps I’m wrong.” My father shakes his head as he rises to his feet. This is his way of telling me the conversation is over.
I get up from my chair and move around the desk so I can wrap my arms around my father. “Thank you, Daddy,” I murmur against his chest.
“Don’t thank me. Thank your nonna,” he says gruffly, giving me an extra tight squeeze. “You should go talk to her.”
“I will.” Tomorrow.
Right now, the only person I want to tell my good news to is…
Carter.
I should’ve known the one day I wait anxiously for Carter to return home after work, he doesn’t show up ’til after seven.
“Honey, I’m home,” he calls as he enters the apartment. I hear him shut the door. Imagine him glancing around and wondering where I’m at. Usually I’m in the living room, scrolling on my phone or watching something on my streaming channel of choice, anticipating his return.
I like it when he comes home and we talk about our respective workdays. We order food. We laugh. We might start watching something, but it always ends with us getting carried away. Someone might end up naked. Or getting their dick sucked.