“Then what else might be the reason for you not to pick regular as usual?”
“Because we’re celebrating something, and I felt pink lemonade was more celebratory.” Damn, he was cute. I was grinning at him, so in love it was sickening. “You think I’m ridiculous, right?”
“Have I ever called you that?”
“I mean, no, but—”
“No,buts, I find it cute. Endearing.”
“Really?” he sounded so hopeful.
“Yes, baby. I love that you wanted to celebrate with a colorful drink.”
“It’s just that… I still can’t order a real drink, but the pink makes me feel fancy and… I’ll just stop talking.” He blushed so prettily, looking down at the table and not meeting my gaze. I took his hand in mine and laced our fingers on top of the table.
“I love you.” That had him looking up at me again, causing a sweet smile to appear on his face. “Let’s grab some food.”
When we’d both filled our plates, we began filling our bellies. I could tell he was getting impatient, so I figured it was time for the good news. “I bought my dream mansion.”
His whole face lit up. “Really?!”
“Yes. And I know we’ve talked about moving in together, and there’s no pressure on it, but I was hoping you would—”
“Yes!” he blurted, interrupting me midsentence.
“Then you and I’ll be living together very soon.” I was sure my smile matched his as we just let that sink in. It was a huge milestone for our relationship, a fast one too, but it felt right. Besides, if things turned sour between us, Pete could always move back in with his mom. Not that I imagined that would ever happen, not with the way things were between us. But I was also realistic, so I had thought about Pete when I bought the property.
“I can’t wait,” he gushed. “This is a very grown-up thing to do.”
I chuckled. “We are grown-ups.”
“No, I mean, people our age are usually out there partying, travelling the world maybe. Their last thought is to settle down.”
“Do you want to do all those things? Because we can.” I would do anything for Pete.
“No, not really. I mean, I want to see more of the world but I want to do it with you,” he assured me with a smile.
“I want that too. But I don't want you to feel like we have to settle down. I guess I just really want to. I had to... With my father I had to grow up fast, I guess. Making adult decisions. I guess I never really had a lot in common with people my age.”
“Me neither. I feel the same way you do, but maybe more because of my job. I think that's why we are perfect together. I want to settle down with you because my professional life is so hectic. I want a place where it's just us. Safe and quiet and ours.”
I could easily give him that. “I want that too.”
We smiled at each other, both of us ready for this next step.
“I guess we should talk about furniture and stuff?” Pete said, his excitement obvious. “I admit I don’t know much since I still live at home. But I want to help decorate, if that’s okay.”
“Why wouldn’t it be? It is as much your home as it is mine.”
That statement had him giving me a soft smile. “I’m glad you’re seeing it like that. I just felt, since it’s your money.”
“I know, baby. But that house is yours too.”
His smile was huge and his eyes gleaming. “This is so exciting!”
I laughed. “I know! We have so much we need to figure out.”
“How long do we have? Until we can move in, I mean?”
