I throw my arms behind my head. “Nah, you’re not getting rid of me that easily, Dad.”
He laughs. “We’ll see. Blake told me about the bench. I’m happy for you. You deserve someone you can share your life with and grand gestures, well, you need to let me know how she reacts.”
I slide my elbows to my knees, still in disbelief that she’s staying in Saxville and wants to be with me. Once she decided, there was no more wavering. I could see the resolve in her gold-flecked hazel eyes. The ones I want to stare into every single day for the rest of my life.
Imagining her reaction of pure joy with the very bench we shared time on earlier this summer has my heart bursting at the seams. It will forever be in my yard, facing the water, a reminder of where we first shared our hearts.
“I will, Dad.” I lean back on the couch and let out a deep breath. He eats his lunch while watching his show, as I sit and take in the time with my dad. “What do you have going on this weekend?”
He swallows and says, “Poker night at Bill’s house. His wife makes the best cookies. It’s all around a good night.”
“Always keeping busy.” I shake my head. When I’m his age, I hope to have an active life like his.
He finishes his spaghetti and meatballs. Turns to me and asks, “You look happy, son. It’s a pleasant surprise after the last few years.”
“I don’t ever remember being this happy, ever. It’s a bit out of my wheelhouse, but I’m going with it.” I lean back on the couch.
“You seem restless. Got ants in your pants? Why don’t you get to her? She’ll appreciate you being a little early.” He says as he stands up to bring his plate to the kitchen to wash it.
I follow him and brush my hand through my hair. “Yeah, I should, and I don’t want to spend time away from her, but she is moving into her own place, so I need to be okay with that. I’d love for her to move in with me.”
He takes his time washing his dish and fork, putting them in the strainer, wipes his hands, and turns to me. “One step at a time. It will happen, but it might not be on your timetable.”
“You know when I put my mind to something, I’m all in.”
“I know. Now, why don’t you head out of here and let me know how the bench swing reveal goes?”
We hug, and I retreat to the front door, saying bye. My feet are light on the walkway as I step onto the driveway. It’s like I’m walking on air today, and I want to be in this state all the time.
When I pull into Logan and Theresa’s driveway, I see the Pages & Brews van parked on the side. I’m still in awe that she is selling it; it took me by surprise. I wasn’t expecting her to say that, especially after our conversation on our bench last night. It was a complete one-eighty.
Hopping out of my car, I practically run up the stairs to the front door. I barely knock and she swings open the door. “You’re already back?”
I take two steps right into her and wrap my arms around her. “I couldn’t stay away from you anymore.” Kissing her, I rasp out onto her lips. “I want to hold you like this every day.” She presses her lips harder and darts her tongue into my mouth with a moan.
Finally, we pull our lips apart, and I miss it already. Reluctant to release her from my grip, but I know we need to move her things into Kendall’s, so I let my hands flop to my side. “Ready, sweetheart.”
“I’ve never been more ready for something than I am right now.” With one more peck on my cheek, I follow her up the stairs.
I walk into her room. There are six boxes stacked to the side and another couple of bags sitting next to them. “This is it?” I don’t know why I’m so shocked by the lack of stuff.
“Yeah, I travel light. There are a ton of boxes in the van that we’ll need to get out before Monday, but I figured we could take them directly to the coffeehouse tomorrow. I mean, if that works for you.”
I flex for her and say, “I’m built to do all this for you. We can probably make this in one trip.”
“I figured it would be a one-load kind of trip.” She picks up the bags, and I follow suit. We have the truck loaded in less than twenty minutes.I take a peek in the van, and it looks like another load we can do tomorrow. Pack up the truck and head straight to the coffeehouse—it will be perfect, since Logan said her bookshelves are ready. I want to surprise her by having them delivered tomorrow, too. Installing them and helping her load the books onto the shelves sounds like a great way to spend time with her while helping relieve some of her stress.
“Okay, let’s head home.” I wish home were with me, but I’m still grateful she’ll be a few minutes down the street. And I’d be lying if I didn’t hope she’d want to stay at the Lakehouse most nights with me. One day at a time. I don’t want to push her either.
Everything is unpacked and in its place, and she's made a list of items she’ll need to buy. She declared it’s not a top priority, but a‘Monday me problem.’
“It’s starting to look like home,” she says as she stares at the kitchen with her mint green espresso machine sitting on the counter. The mug rack is right next to it. But what I’m not expecting is for her eyes to land on me. “Home, with you here.”
My heart is beating out of control. It might burst inside of me when she raises her hand to my face. “No matter where I am, if you are there…It’s home, you’re my home, handsome.” The sensation behind my eyes…I try to shake it off. It’s a reminder that this woman brings out the best in me.
I place my hand over hers. “You’re mine too. And I have something I want to show you, but it’s at my house. Ready to go.”
The glimmer in her eyes has me staring into them. When she finally says something, I’m concentrating on her every word. “I’d love to go back to your house.”
