CHAPTER 60

I get my bike out to ride to Santa Monica, navigating the ever-present traffic on the way to the address I know by heart. The property"s a house with ocean views—three bedrooms, white stucco, sunshine for days. When I get there, Jacob"s leaning against his car. "Nice of ‘em to let you come see the place again," my friend comments. I pass him to get to the door, punching in the code the realtor gave me. "For the price, they should." I put an offer in last week before the house was scheduled to go on the market, but we built into the conditions that I get another look at it. He follows me inside. It"s beautiful, open concept with high ceilings. Too much white, but something tells me that"s by design. I never pictured myself living in something so stunning. I head through the living room to the patio on the other side, a pool and a deck with a glass wall around it. "How"s it look, pool boy?" Jacob laughs. "It"s n