The contemporary three-story home featured a bank of massive retractable windows leading directly to the sand and remarkable views of the Pacific. I wasn’t crazy about the stark design. Supermodern contemporary wasn’t necessarily my cup of tea, but the quality of the construction and the materials used were obviously top-notch. The designer in me appreciated the tall ceilings, open spaces, and environmentally-conscious, decorative elements. However, I preferred my tiny Spanish bungalow in WeHo with its original hardwood flooring and arched doorways. I loved the character of old architecture with its surprising nooks and crannies. Plus I couldn’t imagine living alone in a home this size. It was positively ginormous. Others arrived soon after the shuttle dropped us off at the beach house, and before long the austere atmosphere was infused with music, laughter, catered Mexican food, and yes, more alcohol. It didn’t matter that I only knew Jake and had just met a couple of his friends earlier in the day.
