Celine’s kindness is the type that renders one speechless and is causing me confusion. My opinion of Ethan Delphy is definitely not a good one. I imagine it’ll get worse once I meet him, just from what I know so far. I wonder how twins can be so different.

“I bet they’re great. But, are you sure? I mean, you just met me.”

“That’s not technically correct. I’ve known you for a year,” she says with a big smile. “Usually, landlords rent to people they’ve never met, so this is a step up,” she says. “I already have your info for the application from earlier today, so it should be an easy process.”

“I’m speechless. You’re a lifesaver,” I say.

“Just wait until you live with me for a few days. You might change your mind.” She laughs. “I’m not the most organized person.”

“That’s fine. I’m used to—”

I want to say cleaning after David. He was the biggest slob in the history of slobs.

“Would you like to come by, take a look, and see if you even like the place?”

“Now?”

“Yes, now. Since you have to leave the inn in the morning, you don’t have much time.”

“Of course. I’d love to,” I say and as we start walking, I repeat, “That’s so nice of you.”

“I have my selfish reasons too. It gets lonely in that house, all by myself. With Ethan gone, all I have is Marcel—”

I know her brother doesn’t live here. The question is, when will he come back? Is this a good time to ask? And who is Marcel? I give her a questioning look.

“Ethan is my brother and Marcel is my cat. He’s an old grump.”

“Your brother or the cat?”

“Both,” she says, laughing, and I laugh too.

“So your brother doesn’t live in Carmel?” I ask as we make our way through narrow streets lit by pale yellow lamps.

“Technically, he does, but he travels a lot. The last time I saw him was Christmas. He now stays with our parents in Florida,” says Celine as she turns right on a narrow road. “But he’ll be back soon. You might meet him if you’re still here.”

Celine points at a cottage like the ones I admired last year. “This is it.”

“It’s beautiful,” I say.

“And old. It needs some love. I’m doing a thing here a thing there, but—”

We walk into a flower garden, which is a bit wild but cared for. The cottage has a beach house vibe, with its white and blue in the living room and the ‘sitting room’, which leads to a massive terrace with an ocean view. The double oven and stainless steel appliances in the kitchen are clearly Celine’s touch.

“Let me show you the bedrooms,” she says, and I follow her.

The first one has a more traditional look than the rest of the house, with heavier-set furniture. There’s a massive king-size bed in the center, a leather armchair and a small round table by the window. I like it, although it’s a bit dark.