Power Play - Brittney Mulliner Page 0,51
options. I didn’t have to do this to myself.
We would be living on the same floor. The woman that walked me and Sydney through the units showed us the two and three-bedroom options. They were across the hall. I only needed the two-bedroom so he must be taking the three.
Right. Across. The. Hall.
We’d run into each other. We would work in the same building, then go home and live in the same one.
Was this too much?
No. I was here first. If he had a problem with it, he could find somewhere else. I wouldn’t run away because of him.
“Just one more signature here, please.” I followed the instructions and the woman smiled. “We can set up your automatic payments and then you’re all set.”
“Thanks.” I filled out my bank information, and she slid a pair of keys across the desk to me.
“Welcome to the building. If you ever have any questions, please feel free to let me know.”
“I appreciate your help.” I stood and walked into the hallway where Jason, his mom, and Sydney stood. “Oh. Hi.”
I didn’t realize they were still watching me.
“What are the chances?” His mom beamed. “It’s fate you two are going to be neighbors.”
I flinched at that word. I really didn’t think so. It was a coincidence at best. He probably got the same recommendations from Chloe and liked this location and units for the same reasons I did.
“It’s crazy, right?” Sydney replied with a sweet smile. “Taylor doesn’t have any furniture, so we’ve got to run some errands.”
She stepped back, and I followed her lead. “Good to see you guys.”
“How about dinner tonight, sweetie? We can help you set up anything you need. Might as well put Joey and Dan to work while you can.”
I watched Jason gape at his mom, and it was enough to make me accept. Watching him squirm was worth it, plus a few extra hands wouldn’t be the worst thing. “That would be wonderful. Thank you.”
“We’ll be over around six with food.” She hurried forward and gave me a brief hug before tugging Jason away to the far office.
The second we were out of the building, Sydney burst out laughing. “Did you see Jason’s face? It looked like he was going to explode.”
“I know!” I chuckled. “It was why I agreed.”
“Oh, you’re evil.”
I shrugged. “We’re going to be seeing each other, either at the arena or here, so we need to get over any awkwardness sooner rather than later.”
“Are you sure you’re okay with this? Being around him so much?” she asked as we got into my car.
I started the engine and sighed. “If you asked me back in Raleigh, I would have said never in a million years. It was hard enough being in the same city, but we’ve talked and cleared things up.”
“That’s good.” It seemed like there was more she wanted to say.
“What is it?” I asked as I pulled onto the street.
“It just feels like there’s more than a bad breakup between you guys. It’s none of my business, but I worry about you.”
She was right. There was a lot more between us. Maybe someday I would tell her everything, but not now. Not yet.
“Don’t worry about me.” I shot her a smile. “But I do need to know where to go to find furniture.”
“Well, there’s Chloe’s lady that decorated a ton of people’s homes, but I’ve heard she can be pricey.”
“Then let’s not go with her.” I was making a great salary but that didn’t mean I needed high-end coffee tables or couches.
“If you want functional and affordable, and we have Jason and his family helping, I know the perfect place.”
Three hours later, we had everything I would need to furnish my new place. Some of the bigger items would be delivered in a few days, so I would be staying at the pool house until everything was ready.
Brandon came over with the boys, him to help and them to provide us with entertainment.
“Hi, Milo. Hey, Finn.” I bent down and hugged them.
“This is your new home?” Milo asked as he looked around.
“Yeah, do you like it?”
He shrugged a shoulder, and I glanced at Finn who was frowning. “What's wrong?”
He looked up at me, “You won’t live in the backyard anymore?”
“I won’t move in here for a few days, but after that yeah, I won’t live there.”
He slumped. “But I’ll miss you.”
My eyes widened, and I looked to Brandon and Sydney for help. Brandon was amused, and Sydney had her hand over her heart.
“Well,