Page 31 of Jay Bird

“I’ve got beds and a kitchen table.”

Willow shook her head.

Still, the house itself was gorgeous. Large windows lined the back wall, and she could imagine how much sunlight flooded the room during the day. The ceilings made the already enormous living area feel even bigger.

It felt like a family house, built for laughter in the hallways, toys left out on the floor, and people gathering in the kitchen at the end of the day.

The kitchen might have been her favorite part. It had a large center island, stainless steel appliances, plenty of counter space, a deep sink, and double ovens.

“I could do some damage in this kitchen,” Willow said, looking around.

Jay Bird glanced at her while putting groceries away.

“Good damage?”

“I like cooking.”

“In that case, do as much damage as you want.”

Willow watched him place Lily’s yogurt in the refrigerator.

There was something unexpectedly domestic about watching Jay Bird unload the groceries, especially when Willow noticed that half the bags were filled with things he had picked out specifically because Lily liked them—strawberries, yogurt, juice, macaroni and cheese, and Goldfish crackers. It was like he had already taken the time to learn a small piece of their world and quietly made sure it was stocked.

Willow looked away before the strange warmth in her chest could turn into something more complicated.

“You really didn’t have to buy all of this.”

“We’ve been over this,” he said, not bothering to turn around.

“I know, but—”

“No buts.”

Willow sighed. Fine. He would just have to discover the fifty dollars later.

Jay Bird finished putting away the refrigerated items, then looked at her.

“Do you want the tour?”

“Sure.”

Lily stirred against Willow’s shoulder but made no effort to wake completely.

Jay Bird gestured toward the left side of the house.

“My room is over there. The laundry room is next to the garage door.”

He led her back toward the living room and pointed toward the staircase.

“The upstairs is unfinished. It is basically just a loft area. I’ve been using it as storage.”

They moved toward the back of the house, and Jay Bird opened a set of glass doors.

Willow stepped outside, and her mouth fell open. The backyard was enormous, yet completely bare. Apparently, Jay Bird’s feud with landscaping extended to the rear of the property.

A large stretch of grass extended toward a line of trees, and beyond that Willow could see water reflecting the late-afternoon sunlight.

“Is that a creek?”