head to the side and asked, “You think Owen was romantic? It was kind of him to deal with my listing. And he did kiss the hell out of me, but I can barely move so I don’t know if I’d exactly call it romantic.”
“He’s taking care of you, Aunt Grace. Can’t you see that? He didn’t have to go show that house. Doesn’t it have a lockbox? And then he’s coming back and bringing you dinner without any hope of sexy time afterward. If you ask me, the most romantic thing a person can do for another is to show they care without expecting anything in return.”
Grace chuckled. “What makes you think there won’t be sexy time?”
“Please. You can barely walk. If he thinks he’s getting some, you need to dump him yesterday. But I don’t think so. He knows you’re hurting. When I answered the door and found him standing there, concern was radiating off the man like a cheap cologne. He likes you. I think he’s a keeper.”
“He’s too young for me,” Grace said automatically, even though she was starting to wonder why it mattered so much.
Lex rolled her eyes. “It’s time to get over that. No one cares.”
“Trust me, Lex. Some people in this town will have plenty to say about it.”
“Who, Bill? The gossips down at the salon? The people who love you will only care that you’re happy. If Owen is the one who makes you smile like that, then I’m team Owen. And you should be, too.” She winked, grabbed her keys off the table near the door, and said, “I’m off for a little romance of my own. Don’t wait up. And don’t worry about getting interrupted. See you in the morning.”
Grace waved as her niece disappeared out the door and then took a look around her house. It was tidy enough, but it could use a little something extra before Owen returned. It took her much longer than she expected, but an hour later there were a half-dozen candles lit in the living room and a bottle of wine and two glasses sat on the coffee table.
After freshening up again, she got herself a bottle of water and shuffled back into the living room, where she gingerly eased herself down onto the couch. With two pillows supporting her back, she leaned back and sighed in relief. Finally, a position that didn’t make her want to kill herself.
She sipped at her water and then closed her eyes for just a moment.
“Grace?” The rough tone of a male voice startled her awake.
“What?” She jerked forward and let out a cry as a thousand knives stabbed her in the lower back. “Oh, hell. That hurt.”
“Dammit. I’m sorry,” Owen said. “I didn’t mean to startle you.” He crouched down in front of her and gazed up at her in concern. “Are you all right?”
“Yeah,” she said with a small whimper. “It’ll be okay. I’m just so tired of this invalid nonsense. I don’t like to sit around doing nothing.”
“I can see that.” His lips twitched with a hint of a smile as he eyed the room. “Very romantic, Grace. Does this mean you don’t mind sharing dinner with me after all?”
“Stop fishing for compliments,” she teased. “After those kisses, I don’t think either of us is fooling anyone.”
“You’ve got that right.” He rose up and kissed her gently on the lips before pulling away and dealing with the sushi.
As they ate, Owen filled her in on the showing. “Gigi said she’s going to make an offer in the next few days.”
“She did?” Grace sat up straighter. “What about her husband?”
Owen shrugged. “He wasn’t there. I don’t know. She didn’t talk about him.”
Grace bit down on her bottom lip.
“What is it?”
Sighing, Grace put her plate down on the end table. “The house is haunted. You know that. And I learned that the house is very particular about who it wants to live there. It obviously doesn’t like her husband, so I kinda feel like whatever happens, it’s going to be a shitshow when the spirits keep acting up. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the deal falls through.”
“All deals have the possibility of falling through. But anyway, she said she had to get her finances in order, and you know how that goes.”
Grace did. Financing always took longer than buyers realized. Whether moving money or getting a bank loan, both took time that could torpedo any intentions of a major purchase. “I won’t hold my