I was nervous on the way home. Do I invite her in? Is there dirty underwear on the floor?

"The house up on the left is mine."

"Well, this is a nice house Madden."

"Yeah my uncle left it to me and I haven't done much to it really. I haven't had the time."

"Well, it's very nice." She smiles.

"Would you like you to come in a few and see the wood?"

"Wood? What wood are we talking about?" She giggles.

"Girl you have a dirty mind!!! I was meaning the crown molding and doorways."

"Sure I want to see your wood." She laughs.

If it wasn't dark she would see me blushing.

She follows me up to the porch while I unlock the door. I push it open and let her walk in front of me.

"This is like a murder scene where you push me in first." She laughs.

"I was trying to be nice and it is cold out Reyah," I said flipping a light on.

"Wow, it's nice in here Madden and I do like the wood." She said turning around smiling at me.

"That's what I like about this old house. I spent a lot of time growing up here with my uncle."

"Was he a woodworker or a carpenter or something? Because this is some interesting work."

"Yeah, he was both of those things actually. Some people don't like the wood."

"Well, they are stupid."

"Yeah wish I would have known that before I wasted two years of my life."

"Oh, are you talking about an ex Madden?"

"Unfortunately." I laughed.

"Want to talk about it?"

"Nah she's water under the bridge and been gone a few years out of my life and it's been for the better," I said.

"I understand that and I won't pry." She said looking out the window.

"Can I get you something to drink Reyah?"

"Sure whatever you have and then I want to see the rest of this house."

I grabbed two bottles of water out of the fridge and walked over to her. "Follow me."

I took her through the whole house and she loves out back. I had a big pool that I've never used and a gazebo back there along with a hot tub and a nice size patio.

"Wow, this would be really nice with a little care. You could even have a dog back here." She smiled.

"A cat and now a dog," I smirk crossing my arms.

"Well, you could Madden." She said lightly touching my arm.

Long after her fingers left my arm it still felt warm. She gave me cold chills even though it was outside.

We walked back in and I walked to the living room and starting a fire in the fireplace.

"This is really nice Madden. You need to spend more time at home."

"How can you tell that I don't?" I laugh.

"Because I feel you live at the shelter plus Shirley told me." She laughed.

"That Shirley!" I laugh.

I watch as she walks over and stands in front of the fire and I get a good look at her whole body and she looks perfect in every way.

I snap out of my thoughts when her phone starts making noises. I watch her look at her phone and make a face.

"Ughh!" She said putting her phone back in her pocket.

"Someone, you hate?" I laugh.

"No don't hate but I'm not sure about him."

"Oh, are you seeing someone but standing in my house warming yourself with my fire Reyah?"

"No just went on a date with him and I think the only reason he pursued me is that he knows how much money my dad left me."

"How does he know?"

"He was my dad's financial advisor. He asked me to lunch and it was fine until we went back to his office for a drink and he thought I would strip naked and basically put himself on my leg and I ran out."

"Put himself on your leg? What the hell Reyah." I laughed.

"That's why I left. Then he asked another day for lunch and I went and yeah I think he just wants my money and now he wants another lunch date but I'm out."

"Tell him you have a boyfriend or something."

"Yes, my imaginary boyfriend who I have never had."

"Wait what?"

"Yeah, I've never had a boyfriend. I've been on dates and seeing someone but never a full-blown relationship."

"Oh ok, I was about to ask how old you were." I laughed.

"I'm twenty-five Madden how about you?"

"I'm twenty-seven so not much difference. No brothers or sisters right? Because your dad only talked about you."

"Right it is just me and I guess you have Jerrick right?"

"Yeah, jerk. That's what I've always called him he's thirty but acts so immature."

"Will your whole family be at the animal shelter for the adoptions?"

"Yeah you just haven't met my dad but he will be there too."

"Do they live near here?"

"Yeah, not too far. They have a pretty big house as well and Jerrick still lives with them. Once he came back from the Army he moved back in."

"Oh, what does he do?"

"Construction work with my dad. My dad and uncle had a company until my uncle got sick and so Jerrick helps dad."

"I'm sorry you lost your uncle. Sounded like you were pretty close."

"Yeah, we were and it was a hard pill to swallow," I said walking over to where she was.

"Yeah, it is a hard pill to swallow, and most times I feel like it's not real and that my dad will just walk in the door."

I watched her drop her head and I wanted to reach out and pull her into me but I don't know how she would feel about that.

"I'm really sorry Reyah. Your dad thought the world of you and talked about you constantly. I miss him so I couldn't imagine how much you do."

"Thanks, Madden it means a lot to me." She smiled with tears in her eyes.