She tilted my head up so I met her gaze. “I know.”
“So…bigger house, adopting a dog together, planning our future post-retirement.”
“Oh, we are, are we?” She rolled her hips up to tease me.
“Damn straight we are.” I turned serious. “I want us to be set up—you doing what you love, us finding new hobbies and passions together.” I stilled because we really couldn’t take this any further right now. “I want to be involved in the day-to-day work of the foundation,” I told her.
She smiled at me, all soft and full of love. “That’s a wonderful idea, Lennon. Just wonderful.”
Chapter 35
Chapter
Lennon
* * *
The next morning we arrived five minutes early to the showing, but the real estate agent Cormac had suggested was already there, bustling through, turning on lights.
“Ah! Mr. Cruz, Ms. Lee. Come in, come in,” Sherri smiled, her highlighted hair never moving as she shook our hands and led us through what she called a grand room and into the kitchen. Vivi’s hand quivered in mine as we took in the high-end range and built-in refrigerator. The place had enough granite countertops for tamale assembly, something my mother and sisters would like. There were double ovens and a built-in pantry in addition to a large eat-in nook and a good-sized formal dining room we could use to host family dinners or the guys and their wives.
Overall, the house was a bit smaller than some of the other ones in the neighborhood with only three large, airy bedrooms—but the primary was upstairs with distressed hardwoods, a large walk-in closet, and a fireplace Vivi cooed over. As I’d been told, there was a large pool with a quaint pool house in the acre-plus backyard.
The house was perfect for Vivi and me and even for the couple of kids I might already be fantasizing about having in the future.
“You think Mom will like that?” I asked.
“I do. I could live there,” Vivian answered.
“Nope. You’re inside, in the great big bed we’re going to share.”
Sherri smiled indulgently. “If you’re interested, Mr. Cruz, I suggest we put in an offer today, before the house officially goes on the market.”
I looked at Vivi, and she gulped.
“Let’s do it,” I told her. I’ll pay the asking price in cash.”
Sherri nodded, her hair still locked in place, as she strode off to make the call.
Vivi’s eyes widened even more. “I forget you’re rich.”
“Not as rich as some of the guys, but I’ve led a simpler life, and I have my condo, which has appreciated well. We’ll sell it when and if we want the cash on hand.”
Vivi shook her head. “Most people have to do a contingency contract and make sure their existing place sells before they can afford to buy a new one.”
I scooted closer, grasping Vivi’s hips and bringing them flush against mine. “I’m not the average man.”
She shimmied against me. “I know.”
Sherri strode back in, a wide smile on her face. “Congratulations. You’re about to be homeowners.”
I looked at Vivian who beamed back at me. Sherri slipped quietly back out the door. We needed to sign documents, and I had a huge sum to transfer, but all that could wait a couple of minutes. This was about Vivi and me. About us starting our lives together, building our future. Damn, it felt good. “I can do this comfortably for us,” I told her. “It’ll be nice to have you all to myself, with all of our little comforts. Plus, now we can host a barbecue.”
Vivi wound her arms around my neck. “I love you, Lennon. I love how kind you are to your family, to your friends, to me.”
“Now that we’re buying a house—our first house together—let’s celebrate with a win tonight.”
She kissed me deeply, leaving us both out of breath. “For luck,” she murmured.
