Perfect Risk (Mason Creek #1) - C.A. Harms Page 0,27

know more about this man. I wanted to know the now, the one standing in front of me looking all calm and collected. So that part won out and I stepped inside, my shoulder brushing against his chest as I passed.

Here’s to letting go of the past.

Chapter Fifteen

Wyatt

* * *

Sadie looked around the large open area as she stepped into the dining room, that connected to my kitchen. Vaulted ceilings, skylights above that allowed you to see the stars in the sky on a clear night. My home was exactly the way I’d always imagined it to be. Cooking in the kitchen, looking out and being able to see the entire living room, it was perfect. A massive island that separated the space between the two was its only break.

She scanned over the area, saying nothing but if the look in her eyes told me anything it was that she was impressed. I loved the idea of her liking my home.

“Here, let me take that.” I should have taken the food from her long ago, but I was too wrapped up in the banter we were exchanging. And now, seeing the aww in her eyes, that too was intriguing.

“Your house is beautiful.” I smiled though she wasn’t looking at me. She was still scanning over the entire area, her eyes shifting up and down in the process. I’m proud of my house, it may need a little touch of decor, a woman’s touch so to speak, but the structure and design was all me. It had been something I’d thought of for years prior to having the sketches draw up.

I’d taken all the things I loved about different homes and put them together. I knew I’d live here forever, there was nothing I didn’t have. Well, maybe there was one thing, but I hoped to change that.

“Thank you.” I sat the container down on the counter, grabbed a ladle and two bowls. Sadie eventually made her way to the table to join me just as I was placing a bag of shredded cheese and Fritos on the table.

“You put Fritos in your chili?” She seemed surprised.

“Oh yeah.” I’d ask if she did too, but I could tell by the way her face had lit up the answer was yes. “Chili Cheese Fritos to be exact.”

When her smile widened, I knew I’d scored points.

The conversation was a little short at first, and I could tell she was nervous. Hell, I was nervous but having her here felt right.

“This is really good.” Offering her a compliment, I relished in the way her cheeks reddened.

“Thank you,” she said, seeming suddenly shy, the complete opposite of the sassy woman that stood outside my door the night it was pouring or even just a short time ago. Gus sat at her side, looking between both of us as if awaiting his own serving.

Finishing off my first bowl, I stood and grabbed a peanut butter bone from the pantry and tossed it toward Gus. Catching it in the air, he ran off straight for his bed and no longer cared about what we were having.

“Drink?”

Sadie lifted her gaze and I held up a beer or water. “A beer would be good.”

With one in each hand, I walked back to the table and joined her once more. “LA huh? What was that like?”

I followed her movements as she lifted the beer and took a drink. Her throat bobbing as she swallowed, before she lowered the bottle to the table and her eyes met mine.

“Complete opposite of here. It’s crowded, and the people so full of themselves they don’t have time to worry about what you’re doing.”

“Wow.” Small towns are full of busybodies.

“Exactly,” she said with a laugh and an exaggerated nod. “Who would have thought that was actually a thing, right? But I enjoyed the experience, it wasn’t all bad. I met a lot of interesting people, made some good friends.” She paused and looked around the space once more as if lost in thought. “But being home feels good too.”

The conversation flowed much better after that. We moved in the living room, getting more comfortable. With both of us sitting on the couch, our bodies turned facing once another. Laughing with her was a nice change, and the sound of her laughter made me want to do all I could to hear it, again and again.

“It’s late.” She looked down at her watch and then back up at me. “I should really be going.” Honestly, I