Sitting at the table, I take a drink of my tea and I envision myself living here. I can’t help but question. “How is this going to work if I move in here, do you think it’s enough room?”

Matt coughs, laughing looking at me surprised. “Micah did not tell you yet?”

“Shut it, Matt.” Micah slams his hand on the table. His eyes are giving his brother a warning glare.

My eyes squint, wondering what is going on now. “Um…no, I don’t understand what you are talking about,” I say gazing at an angry looking Micah staring at his brother.

Great, what now!

I’m arching my eyebrow not sure I’m going to like whatever it is they are hiding from me. I hate surprises, always have.

“Look El,” Micah says lowering his fork. “My dad and I were talking. Here, there’s not a lot of room, it’s only a two bedroom, and we need our privacy.” Clearing his throat, he hesitantly looks at me then at Matt.

Matt winks. “Ah, you think I’m going to cramp your style, bro’?”

“Just want to be able to have El all to myself, and that means wherever I want her… whenever I want her.” He said, with a devil of a smirk on his face.

I give him a piercing gaze to figure out where this is going. “Oh my God, can we just get to the part where you tell me what is going on?”

“Okay,” Micah says holding up his hand. “I was going to ask if you wanted to get a place of our own?”

He says the last part very soft, just waiting to see how I respond to him. I don’t get a chance to think it over as Matt interrupts.

Throwing his head back, Matt lets out a loud chuckle. “Bullshit. Micah, you are so full of it. Let me tell you how it really went, and Micah, you tell me if I’ve got it right. I believe it was more like, Micah put down a down payment on a place and hopes to hell Elsa is going to be okay with it!”

“WHAT!” I’m in shock. It’s one thing to ask and another to go ahead and buy a place.

“And you wonder why I don’t want to live with you any longer?” Micah says to his brother who is smiling from ear to ear, loving to see his brother squirm in the hot seat.

I’m stunned. “Are you serious Micah? You found a place AND put a down payment on a house you only hope I will be okay with?” I question.

Looking at Matt, he has his eyes closed. I’m really praying he did not just blow up Micah’s surprise for me. Micah’s sitting back, arms crossed, and shaking his head. I can see the wheels spinning in his cute little head of his. He’s nervous, and that alone makes me want to laugh.

“Babe, please don’t be mad.” Slowly inching his arms on the table, he holds out a hand. “Come on El, I wanted to surprise you. Matt,” eyeing his brother, Micah takes a swing towards him. “Has a big mouth. I might have to shut for him.”

“Hey,” shouting at Micah. “I’m just keeping it real, bro’. Elsa’s not mad at you. Jesus, do you even know your girlfriend at all? I don’t even need to ask her to know what she is thinking. That is how sure of her I am. I swear I must be more observant than you.”

“Yeah, right. Okay, big man, tell me what she is thinking and she will tell us if you are right.” Micah challenges.

Matt looks at me and winks.

I bit my lip and laugh.

Arms crossed, I’m more than eager to hear what he has to say. “Go ahead Matt, what am I thinking right now.” To be honest, this ought to be good, I squint my eyes just to prepare myself. I have no clue what might slip out of his mouth.

“Okay,” he’s smirking acting like he’s my shrink or something. “You are no doubt nervous, a lot has happened very fast, but you love my brother, so there is no reason not to move in together. Although; while you’re surprised that Micah did this behind your back, you really don’t mind. You are impressed he did this because he did it for you. The love you have for him…well…will let him get away with murder. Need I say more?” Holding up his finger, he cuts me off when I’m about to protest. “But you are somewhat sad with the fact you won’t be living with me because you wanted to catch me in the shower butt ass naked. You are going to miss your chance for a peek at my goods.” The sly fox says as slick as he can. And he sighs just to make me laugh even harder. Smooth talking Matt Taylor is a lady killer, and he’s brought me to tears in a fit of hysterics.

Choking on my water, I have to wipe my eyes and my chin at the same time. Oh gosh, it just felt good to laugh. Only, Matt and I are the only one’s laughing. Serious, Micah is so quiet and moody, and looking at him only makes us laugh harder.

“Very fucking funny,” bringing his attention to me, he raises an eye. “Well my dear, how did he do? Minus the part about seeing him naked, of course. I know you do not wish to see, but just in case you did… do not tell me that.”

Holding my stomach, I’m slowly recovering. “First of all,” I say wiping my chin of any remaining water, “I am impressed with how observant Matt is. He’s right on most of it, actually. I’m shocked, but also very impressed you did that for us.” Reaching out I grab hold of Micah’s hand. “I’m not sure what to say, we’ve not talked finances, yet Micah.”

“Nothing for you to worry over,” taking a hold of my hand, he squeezes it. “I got it handled. We’ll sit down and figure it out, the first thing is to close on the house and then get you to work for us.” He says, glancing at Matt.

“Thank God, Elsa can now take care of your unwanted attention you’ve been receiving lately.” Matt says under his breath.

What, that got my attention.

Micah moans with his disapproval. “Matt would you shut your mouth, do you ever just stop saying shit you should not say?”

“Babe, don’t listen to him. A few clients hang around more than they should. The great thing with you working there they will know I am with you and to leave me the hell alone.” Micah rambles this out so fast, I’m not sure what he just said.

I took away from that admission that indeed, women were hot after him. Now I can’t say I blame them for wanting him, he is beyond sexy. I just did not need to hear it.

Okay, I’m mentally seeing myself on a daily basis watching women hang on him…I’m not sure this is a good idea after all. Rolling my eyes, not liking it, I accidentally talk out loud. “Oh great, just what I need.” I say it and the minute I do, I regret it.

Clearing his throat, Matt looks at me like I’ve grown ten heads. “Seriously, my brother only has eyes for you. Always has, always will. You are the only woman I can say with one hundred percent confidence that your man…my brother…would never cheat.”

I shyly reply, “Ah, thanks Matt. He knows better.” I say with my butter knife in my hand, waving it around.

“Hey, I’m right here and I don’t need anyone else. Five years ago you, ruined me for any other woman. No one compares to my pretty girl.”

I hold my hand over my heart. “I’m one lucky gal.”

“Not lucky,” Matt’s smirks. “I do think you have a magic…um… let’s just say you must…yeah, I’m not going to finish that thought. I’d rather not get hit from my brother for less than pure thoughts of you, El.” He lets out a quick exhale which sounds more like a snort.

I can’t help but snicker. “You Taylor boys will be the death of me yet.”

“Damn straight baby,” Micah says with a head roll.

“THE HOUSE IS AT the end of Park Street near Harrison Heights. It’s perfect for us El, I took my dad there a few days ago. He liked it and to be honest,” Micah says with a shrug of his shoulders, “He gave me the money for the down payment. I think it was his way of making amends.”

I hate to tell him I’m not super comfortable with his parents yet. I’ve yet to face them now that they know about the baby.

“He doesn’t need to do that Micah, even though it’s beyond thoughtful. He has no reason to make amends with me, either.” I don’t need another reason to feel uncomfortable around him.