"Okaaayy," she draws out, eyes narrowing on me. "But I can't be everything to you. You're a workaholic. Surely, you want something else."
I smile, shaking my head. "You're wrong. If I can have you, I'd need nothing else in life, Grace. I realized after getting everything I thought I wanted, that it wasn't even remotely the most important thing to me. I meant what I said in those notes. The happiest I've ever been in my life is the months I spent with you, with you in my arms. So yes, that's what I want. I don’t need anything else."
"Asher—"
"But, if you want me to have something else, I have an idea. I only want to do it if I'm with you."
"That's a lot of pressure." She sighs, gripping her cup tightly.
"I know. If you say no, I'll move on, find something else. No pressure. The choice is yours."
"What is it?" she asks.
"I'd rather show you."
Thirty minutes later, we're pulling up to the bed-and-breakfast where I've been staying. Grace looks a little confused as I help her out of the car and lead her into the old house.
Margie, the owner, comes out to greet us, recognizing Grace immediately.
"Grace!" Margie's face lights up as she spots us. "What a wonderful surprise." She pulls Grace into a warm hug before turning her bright eyes on me. "Asher, good to see you again."
Grace shoots me a curious look, but I just smile and gesture for her to follow as Margie leads us through the cozy parlor. The inn has that lived-in warmth that only comes from decades of love and care. Floral wallpaper, hardwood floors worn smoothed by countless footsteps, antique furniture.
"Did you tell her your plan, city boy?" Margie asks as we shake off the chill from outside.
I chuckle. "I was just about to."
"What are you two talking about?" Grace asks, a mixture of confusion and surprise on her features.
"I've been running this place for forty years," Margie tells her. "Raised my kids here, built a life. But I'm getting older, and my grandchildren are in Arizona. Been thinking it's time to retire, spend my golden years in the sunshine with them."
I pull off Grace's coat, hanging it on the rack in the entryway and adding mine.
"The thing is…" Margie continues. "I don't want to sell to just anyone. This place needs someone who'll care for it, keep its soul." She looks at me with knowing eyes. "Asher here has made me a very generous offer. Enough for a comfortable retirement and a small condo near my grandkids."
Grace's eyes widen as understanding dawns. She turns to me, mouth slightly open.
I step closer to her, taking her hand. "I want to buy the inn. Transform it into something special. A book-themed retreat. Wecould build a proper library, host writing workshops, create a space for people who love stories." I gesture around the room. "I've been sketching out ideas. Reading nooks in every room. A massive collection spanning genres. Maybe even space for authors to come work on their manuscripts."
I genuinely think we could turn this into something amazing, but I won’t do it without her. If she says no, I’ll be gutted, but I’ll move on. The last thing I want to do is hurt her more than I already have.
But I’ve spent the last week dreaming up our future in this B&B, and I can see it so clearly. The two of in this place, raising a family, growing old together.
"Asher..." Grace's voice is soft, uncertain. “This is a lot to take in.”
"I know you love the city." I continue, the words tumbling out faster now. "But I think you love it here too. And this way, we could have both. We could live here, run this place together, but keep the penthouse for whenever you want to be in New York. You could write here in the quiet, then go back for publishing meetings or to see Kacey. Whatever you need."
Grace stares at me, hazel eyes searching my face like she's trying to solve a puzzle.
"But is this what you really want?" Her question cuts straight to the heart of it.
I cup her face in my hands, making sure she sees the truth in my eyes. "Like I said, I want to be wherever you are. Whatever makes you happy, Sugar. As long as I have you, I'm happy."
The endearment keeps slipping out naturally, and I watch her reaction, the slight softening of her features, the way her breath catches each time.
"I spent my whole life chasing someone else's dream," I tell her quietly. "Building an empire I never actually wanted because I thought it would finally make me enough. But you make meenough. Just being with you. Whether that's here running an inn, or in the city, or anywhere else in the world. It doesn't matter, as long as you're there."
Grace's eyes glisten with unshed tears. "You'd really do this? Give up everything for... for a bed-and-breakfast in Cedar Falls, Michigan?"
