Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 83368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
She rang the bell, and after Hersch let her in and gave her a quick peck hello, he led her to the living room, where she found Howard Davenport admiring the view. When he saw her, he came over to give her a hug.
“I know she’s my daughter, Herschel, but I have to say Mila did fine work finding you this beautiful home. It just seems to suit you.”
“She’s the best Realtor I’ve ever worked with,” he agreed.
Mila felt a glow of pride because her dad wasn’t the kind of person who gave out compliments he didn’t mean. She was glad he’d noticed, too, that this house was perfect for Herschel. While her dad was going on about the fine bones and the quality construction, she snuck a glance at Herschel and saw that he was gratified by the Howard Davenport stamp of approval. It was all feeling a little bit too mutual-appreciation-society for Mila, who had to break the tension by cracking a joke.
“Dad, are you doing the painting now too?”
He shook his head at her. “I admit I wanted to get a gander at this place. I’ve always admired it. So I brought the paint samples over myself, and Herschel was kind enough to give me a tour.”
She couldn’t believe him. Was it the house he’d wanted to see, or had he just wanted to meet the famous astronaut? Either way, he was as nosy as she was. Or maybe she’d inherited that trait from him. Still, her dad also had a good eye for design and color, having worked on so many homes over the years, and somehow the three of them found themselves on Hersch’s couch discussing color palettes and possibilities.
Mila was surprised that spending time with her dad and her new lover didn’t feel weird at all. In fact, it felt entirely natural, the conversation easy and warm, as though Hersch was already part of the family. Between them, they came up with a color plan that she thought would work. Her dad opened the tiny paint cans and took the time to paint sizable squares of three colors on the wall. He did the same in the kitchen, the bedroom, and the hallway. All of them had agreed that it would be best to keep all the hallways the same color and add a little more variety to the main living rooms.
After Howie was finished, Herschel offered him a beer to say thank you, but after shooting a far too scrutinizing look at his daughter, he said he’d better not. Betsy wanted him home in time for dinner. And with a cheerful good-bye, he left.
As his truck disappeared down the drive, Mila watched with a mix of pride for having such a cool dad and happiness that she was finally alone with Hersch.
“I like your dad,” Herschel said, coming to join her at the window.
She grinned at him. “Everybody loves my dad. He’s the best.” Then she sniffed the air. “Something smells really good.”
He looked slightly bashful. “It’s lasagna. I made dinner in case you wanted to stay.”
She felt her nose wrinkle in disbelief. “You made lasagna? Like, from scratch?”
“Sure. I told you I like to cook.” Then he paused, and she felt there was something he wasn’t going to say. Then he changed his mind. “Actually, I have a confession.”
Mila’s heart began to thud. Obviously, all this was too good to be true. Was he about to put another caveat on their time together?
“Your dad told me it was your favorite meal. That’s why I cooked it.”
She laughed, relieved. And then her eyebrows rose of their own accord. “Wait—that came up in conversation how?”
Hersch looked bashful again. “I may have asked him. In the context of my wanting to make you dinner to thank you for finding me this perfect house.”
“Right. Because he doesn’t know about the housewarming party for two.”
“That would be correct. And if I have anything to say about it, he’ll never find out.”
“Well, as it turns out, I am free tonight.” She sighed blissfully. “And lasagna is my fave. I guess I have no choice but to hang around a little while longer.” She shot him a coy smile.
They ate in the kitchen, and not only had he made possibly the best lasagna she’d ever eaten, there was a gorgeous salad bursting with fresh fruit and vegetables to go with it, along with crusty bread from her favorite bakery. This was a man who knew the way to Mila’s heart… by more than one path.
But for now, Mila put that thought out of her mind. She just wanted to relax, and she quickly found herself doing just that. They chatted about their days, and she told him a bit about a couple who were being completely indecisive, even after she’d found them the perfect house. He told her he’d met his neighbors, and they were very nice. It was just the kind of comfortable conversation that two people who spent a lot of time together would indulge in. She tried not to let it worry her. She’d pinkie sworn after all.