He stared at her for a moment. “I’m not giving up a second chance with you, Ellie.” He nodded toward the house. “Now, would you like to see it?”
“We could come in for a few moments, couldn’t we, Winston?” The dog wagged his tail in agreement.
Jonah grabbed some boxes and led the way up the stairs. She stepped through the doorway, and Winston padded along beside her. The living room stretched before them, bathed in afternoon sunlight that streamed through tall windows. Boxes were scattered around the room, some already opened with their contents spilling out on the floor.
She ran her gaze around the room. The walls were painted a faded yellow color that had seen better days. The hardwood floors creaked under her feet as she moved further into the room, showing their age, but still solid. Built-in bookshelves lined one wall, their craftsmanship speaking to an earlier era when things were made to last. She’d always loved these older homes. They had character and history. Stories within their walls. Winston’s nails clicked against the floor as he meandered off to investigate a corner.
“The realtor said these floors are original to the house,” Jonah said as he set down the boxes he’d carted inside. “I’ve got plans for this place. The kitchen needs updating, and I’d like to replace these old windows. Maybe add a deck out back for morning coffee.” He shoved some boxes out of the way. “And of course, paint the place. Refinish the floors. Lots of work.”
When she turned back to face him, his expression was cautious as if he was waiting for her verdict. “Well?” he asked.
She looked around once more, seeing past the current state to what it could become. “It needs work,” she said, watching his face fall slightly before she continued, “but I can see why you bought it. These old houses, they’re worth saving.”
The tension in his shoulders eased. “I thought maybe you’d think I was crazy, buying a place that needs so much renovation.”
“Oh, I still think you’re crazy,” she said, but she smiled as she said it. “But it’s a good kind of crazy.”
Winston had made his way back to them and sat at her feet, looking up expectantly. She reached down to scratch behind his ears.
“I apologize for the mess,” he said as he walked over and cleared some boxes from the couch. “I haven’t quite found homes for everything yet.”
“You certainly have plenty to unpack.” She settled onto the worn but comfortable couch and Winston curled up at her feet.
“More than I realized,” he admitted. He sank into the armchair across from her. “But there’s no reason to hurry.” He shrugged. “Except for living in this chaos.”
She rested against the back of the couch. It felt oddly familiar being with him. Yet different too. They weren’t the same people they’d been all those years ago. She looked over at him. “I think it has a lot of potential. I do. I just didn’t realize you were going tobuya place here.”
“You’re worried. I can see it in your eyes,” he said softly. “Talk to me. What are you worried about?”
She met his eyes for a moment. “People will talk. They already are.”
“Let them.” He leaned forward in his chair. “We’re not kids anymore. We know who we are and what we want.”
But did they? The question nagged at her as she absentmindedly stroked Winston’s head. They’d both lived full lives in the years they’d been apart. He couldn’t expect everything to fall back into place like no time had passed.
“I—” She glanced around the room. “It’s just a lot of work.” And she wasn’t just talking about his house.
“Ellie.” He leaned forward, his voice gentle. “I’m not going anywhere. I chose this place, this island, because it’s where I want to be. The work doesn’t scare me. Nothing about being here scares me—except maybe the thought of you walking away again.”
She wanted to reassure him, to tell him that she wasn’t going anywhere either. But the words stuck in her throat. It had been so long since they’d been together, really together. They’d both changed, grown, and lived separate lives. Could they really pick up where they’d left off all those years ago?
Winston looked up at her, his brown eyes seeming to sense her unease. She reached down and stroked his head, finding comfort in his always-there-for-her presence.
Jonah watched her, his expression a mix of hope and uncertainty. She could see the questions in his eyes, the same ones that swirled in her own mind. What if they’d changed too much? What if they couldn’t find their way back to each other?
She tapped her fingers on the arm of the couch, searching for words. “Jonah, I…” She trailed off.
“Ellie, I know it’s been a long time. I know we can’t just pick up where we left off. But I’m here now, and I want to try. I want to see where this goes.”
“I want that too,” she said softly. “I just… I don’t know how to do this. It’s been so many years. And I’ve lived all on my own for so long and… I just need time,” she said quietly. “Time to adjust to all this.”
“Then we’ll take things slowly,” he continued. “But I’d like the chance to get to know who you are now. For you to get the chance to know the man I’ve become.” He reached out and took her hand, his fingers warm and solid against her own. “We’ll figure it out together. One step at a time.”
She nodded, feeling a flicker of hope in her chest. Maybe they could do this. Maybe they could find their way back to each other.
He squeezed her hand. “I’m not leaving you again. Not disappearing like last time. I’m here until we figure out what this is. What this can be.”
Winston’s tail thumped against the floor, as if in agreement. She smiled down at him, then back up at Jonah. “One step at a time,” she repeated. “I think we can do that.” She rose, taking back her hand. “I should leave you to your unpacking.”
