“I knew from the minute I saw you I wanted you in my life, Josie. And then the accident happened,” I don’t miss how he glosses over hitting me with his truck, but I let him. “And I got to meet Emma and be a part of your life and it made me realize that’s what I want. I want a family. My own family. But you wanted this house, and I heard you were having problems getting the loan. I couldn’t let you lose this place after everything else. I bought it that day.”
“That day?” How did he get a mortgage so fast?
He grins, ignoring my question about when and launches into other aspects. “It’s a great house. Close enough to the schools that the kids can walk every day. The backyard is big enough for them to play in and host barbecues.”
I nod because I know all these things. They were the reasons I loved the house, too.
He spins and my eyes follow his along the dark-grained hardwood floors and the white cut-out fireplace I was sure with a little elbow grease I could get back to the original brick color. You can’t see it from where we stand, but beyond our spot there’s a small dining room and then a kitchen with doors that lead out to the backyard. It’s easy to imagine the whole place fixed up and I spend a second picturing a family growing here. Someone else’s family.
“I want all of that, Josie. The kids, the barbecues, this house.”
“But not with me,” I say even though it hurts. “I tried to get you back, but you don’t want me anymore because I’m a dumbass.”
Nate smiles. “No, I just wanted to wait and surprise you with this house. You needed proof you weren’t just an easy relationship for me. There is no end for us, Josie. I want the whole thing with you and Emma. This house is to show my commitment. If you’ll have me.”
Now he’s gone mad, but his words become puzzle pieces and fall into place.
“You bought a house for me?” I ask, smiling and turning back in his direction. Is it enough to think maybe, possibly, he could love me?
My eyes widen as Nate nods. “I loved you from minute one, Josie.”
I laugh. The tension I’ve carried around with me for days flows away just being in Nate’s presence and knowing we’re going to be okay. “You could have just told me. You didn’t have to go and hit me with your truck.”
“Now she tells me,” he says, rolling his eyes.
Even though he said the words, he hasn’t come closer, so I close the distance between us and wrap my arms around his middle. “I’m so sorry, Nate. It’s just I was scared, and I didn’t know what to do. After everything that’s happened, I hate feeling like I don’t have control of my life.”
He squeezes me tightly. “You never have to feel that way ever again.”
“I’ve been strong for so long on my own. I don’t know how to accept help.”
Nate leans down, kissing me on the head and trailing a finger across my jaw. “Well, I find it’s easiest if you just do everything I say and don’t question my decisions.”
I laugh as his lips lower and we connect for the last first time.
“Do you like it?” Nate asks, a hint of nervousness in his voice.
“Yes, I love it. I was going to buy it.” The house isn’t huge — most of the homes aren’t in Pelican Bay — but the light shines in from the large window of the living room all the way to the kitchen. The staircase leading to the second level is old and weathered, but in a way, it gives a nice patina and there’s the traditional banister I wanted.
Nate places a kiss to the left of my eye where I hadn’t realized it had grown wet.
“I’ve never had anyone buy me a house before. Are you sure?”
“I’m sure and I’ll buy you a lot more than a house.”
I tilt my head to look him in the eyes. They’re beautiful, I’ll never get enough staring at them. “Of course you’re sure, but I don’t want you to think I’m doing this because of the house.” I wanted Nate back before he bought me a house in Pelican Bay. I don’t want him to consider me some kind of gold digger.
He laughs. “I figured I’d probably upset you, but I wanted to wait until I had everything finalized. I want us to start a life together right now.”
“Right… right now?” I ask, with a gleam in my eye.
Nate’s gaze spans the empty room. “We should break in every room, and it would be easiest to do the living room right now.”
My eyes widen, looking at the nice glossy hardwood floors beneath us. “Right now.”
“Unless you have other ideas.”
“No, right now is good.”
