“How are Bryce and Zane?”
Danny smiled at the mention of his two other best friends. “You know that Zane and Sophie had their baby and named her Hannah?” Liv nodded. “Wait until you see Zane. He’s so stoked he’s got a perma-grin going on that’s wider than his surfboard. Bryce signed a new surfer since Zane is cutting back now, and Bryce and Honor are still shacked up and happy as ever.”
“You’re still okay being the fifth wheel?”
“You know I’m not in for anything else.” Ever. Liv knew about his disease and that he’d never marry or have kids because he refused to be a burden to someone else later in life. It didn’t take away how happy he was for his friends, and he rarely had trouble finding a warm female body when he wanted one for a night or two.
“Never say never,” Liv threw out in a feisty tone he didn’t recognize.
Something was definitely up with her.
They arrived at the front door at the same time Mrs. Landry came around the corner. “How was the party?” she asked.
“Fun,” Danny said. “How are you feeling? Any better?”
“Not really,” Mrs. L. said, joining them on the stoop, “but I needed some fresh air. Dr. Flynn stopped by to check on me, bless his heart. He wants me to come in Monday for a chest x-ray. I told him if he wanted to see the goods, all he had to do was ask.” She winked, then coughed. One of those wet, barking dog coughs that Danny hated hearing from her. “And who is this lovely creature?”
“This is Olivia.” Danny put his arm around her. “Liv, Mrs. Landry, my landlady.”
“Nice to meet you,” Olivia said.
“You, too. There’s something in your hair.”
“Oh, uh…” Liv lifted a hand and, sensing her discomfort, Danny squeezed her tighter. “It’s cake.”
“Did you miss your mouth?” Mrs. L. teased.
“No, actually. My mouth was in on the action, too.” Danny couldn’t see Liv’s smile out of his periphery vision, but he felt it.
Mrs. L. gave one of her I-understand-I’m-a-grandmother grins. “I like this one,” she said to him.
“I do, too,” he answered easily.
“I was going to stop by on Monday, but since who knows how long Dr. Flynn will want to examine me, there’s something I need to tell you.”
“Shoot.”
“I’ve decided to put the house up for sale.”
“I’ll buy it,” he said quickly. He didn’t care about the asking price or the escrow length. He’d made this house his home and he wanted to keep it.
“I thought you might like to,” Mrs. L. said softly. “But Danny, I already have an offer from a young family. Frank and I raised our kids here and when they left and he passed away, something was always missing. I want to leave knowing this house will bring happiness to a new family. I’m sorry.”
Danny hadn’t heard her right. She wanted to sell, but not to him? His stomach twisted into a tight, uncomfortable knot. Asking her to reconsider got stuck in the back of his throat. Reading her frail, sympathetic expression, he knew nothing he said would get her to change her mind anyway. And as much as he wanted to be angry with her, he couldn’t. She’d never promised him the house.
He’d just assumed. Maybe taken the situation for granted. Deep down, he understood her feelings even though he wished he didn’t. He’d gotten attached to the home’s charm and character, but the four-bedroom house had way more space than he needed.
None of that mattered now.
He turned his head to look at Liv, tense at his side. She’d always felt his pain like it was her own, and he both loved and hated that. He shied away from anyone’s pity, but right now, her kind, warm eyes softened the blow.
“I’ve got this,” she whispered, barely moving her lips. With a tilt of her head, she focused her attention back on Mrs. L.
What did she have?
“We were hoping to keep this to ourselves a little bit longer, Mrs. Landry,” Olivia said, a smile in her voice. “But given what you’ve just told us, now seems like a good time. Danny and I are getting married and we’re having a baby!”
His best friend did not just say that. Sure, Liv had lied for him in the past, but this was taking it way too far. “Uh, Liv?”
“I know. I’m sorry I didn’t talk to you before sharing our news.” She threw her arms around his neck, leaned into him. “But how could we keep it from Mrs. Landry now?” Liv turned her head. Danny saw cake in her ear. “You’ll keep our secret for us, won’t you? And let us make an offer on the house for you to consider?”