Holy shit.
I thought Crew's apartment was gorgeous. This place looks like it came out of a catalog for furniture that regular people can never afford.
I'm standing in the entry way with Bill by my side. He called Crew as we approached the winding driveway. I heard him agree to something and when he stopped the car and held open the door for me, I almost lost my breath.
The exterior of the house is breathtaking with shuttered windows and a wraparound deck. The inside surpassed that in spades when Bill opened the unlocked door and stepped aside so I could walk in.
The space is grand with vaulted white ceilings and dark wood beams.
Against the wall opposite the door is a fireplace framed with two large windows that overlook a sandy beach and the Atlantic.
A sitting area is to the right. There's a sofa and wingback chairs that are all light gray, with accessories in tans and navy blues that brings softness to the space.
Beyond that to the left is an open kitchen with a huge island and polished countertops that complement the white cabinetry.
I look around, taking in every perfect detail.
"Do you like what you see?" Crew's deep voice hits me from behind.
I turn to look at him.
My heart stutters for a beat.
He's wearing a thin white T-shirt and black shorts. His hair is wind-blown. He looks different out here away from the stress that sits on his shoulders in New York.
"It's a beautiful house," I say quickly to stop myself from commenting on how insanely hot he looks right now.
"I was out for a walk." He pats Bill on the shoulder. "You made good time. I wasn't expecting you for another thirty minutes."
Bill picks up my bags and brings them into the foyer. "It's early enough that the traffic was light."
It is early. Once I accepted the fact that I was taking the weekend off, I told Tilly. Between her coughing spurts, she offered to cover my shift from noon on if I agreed to do the same for her next Friday. Dr. Hunt signed off on it without question so I was ready to hit the road by one-thirty.
"Do you need me to come back to pick Adley up on Sunday, sir?"
I fidget on my sandal covered feet, the skirt of my white sundress dancing with the movement. I want to pipe up and say something, but the man works for Crew, not me.
"Crew," he corrects Bill with a smile. "We're heading back Monday and I drove up so you're off the hook."
Bill tosses him a wink. "Right, Crew, it is. If that's all, I'll head back."
"Drive safe." Crew dips his hands in the pocket of his shorts. "I don't have a dollar on me now, Bill, but I'll add it your tip when you take me to the airport on Tuesday."
Bill laughs like it's an inside joke. "Not a problem. You two enjoy the weekend. Remember what I said, Adley."
I nod. I remember exactly what he said. I'll use the time wisely. For the next three days it's me and casual Crew. I have a feeling I'm going to walk out of here a much different person than I am now.
Chapter 20
Crew
Being back in this house is a mind fuck. Seeing Adley in the foyer brought up a clusterfuck of emotions. My memories of this place aren't bad. They're not especially good either. Neutral is how I'd call it.
I splashed in the ocean with my siblings when I was a kid. My mom taught me how to drive a boat when I was fourteen. I hosted a party or two out here when I was in college but none of that has ever stay seared into my memory like the vision of Ad in her pure white dress with the ocean as a backdrop will.
If I could have stopped time for a beat, I would have just to take that in.
"What did Bill say that you're supposed to remember?" I ask as I pick up her bags.