She smirked. “It’s actually not too bad. Besides, I’m sure my alimony checks will help cover it.”
Despite my mood, I had to smile at that. At least someone was getting what they deserved.
Mom parked in front of one of the townhouses and practically skipped to the door. “Come on, I want to show you everything!”
I followed her inside, genuinely impressed by the spacious interior. The place was gorgeous. It had hardwood floors, high ceilings, and massive windows that filled the space with natural light.
“This is the living room,” she gestured grandly. “And through here is the kitchen...”
I trailed behind her as she gave me the tour, pointing out features with childlike excitement. Despite my heartbreak, I was happy for her. She deserved this fresh start. I couldn’t deny I was a little bit jealous though. This townhouse made my apartment look worse than a cardboard box on the side of the road.
“There are three bedrooms,” she continued, leading me upstairs. “Mine, a guest room, and I’m thinking of turning the third into an art studio.”
“That’s a lot of bedrooms for just you, don’t you think?” I said, brows furrowed. “The art studio sounds cool, but isn’t this kind of…a lot?”
“It’ll be fine,” she grinned, grabbing my hand and pulling me down the hall. “And the master bedroom is just through here?—”
She pushed open the door, and I froze in the doorway.
Kent was standing in the middle of the room, holding a bouquet of roses.
My heart stopped beating for a moment. Kent. Standing there looking better than he had any right to, dressed in a fitted gray button-down that brought out his eyes. His hair was shorter, freshly cut, and he looked nervous in a way I’d never seen before.
“Surprise!” Mom said, squeezing my arm.
I couldn’t move, couldn’t speak. All I could do was stare at Kent, who looked just as stunned to see me as I felt seeing him.
“What... what is this?” I finally managed, my voice barely above a whisper.
Kent cleared his throat. “James, I?—”
“I’ll give you two some privacy,” Mom said, backing out of the room. She paused at the doorway, giving me a meaningful look. “Just hear him out, okay?”
And then she was gone, closing the door behind her, leaving me alone with the man who had broken my heart into a billion tiny pieces.
“My mom’s in on this?” I asked, still frozen in place.
Kent nodded, taking a hesitant step toward me. “I needed her help. James, I know I fucked up. Spectacularly. What I did was unforgivable.”
“Then why am I here?” The anger I thought I’d moved past surged back, hot and bitter. “Why drag me across town for…this?”
“Because I love you,” he said simply. “And I needed to show you that I’m serious this time.”
I laughed, the sound harsh even to my own ears. “Serious? You suggested I be your side piece while you played boyfriend to Brittany. That’s not exactly the foundation of a serious relationship.”
“I know. I was scared and stupid and I made the worst possible decision.” He set the roses down on a nearby dresser and reached into his pocket, pulling out what looked like a folded piece of paper. “But I’m done being scared.”
“What is that?” I asked, nodding toward the paper.
“The lease for this townhouse.” He held it out to me. “Look at the names on it.”
I didn’t move to take it. “I don’t understand what’s happening right now.”
“Just look. Please.”
Reluctantly, I took the paper from him, unfolding it with shaking hands. There, printed clearly on the lease agreement, were two names: Kent Gallagher and James Bennet.
“You... you put my name on the lease?” I looked up at him, confused. “Why?”
