“A place like this would be swooped up likethat,” I said, snapping my fingers.
“Exactly.”
She sat quietly for a moment before speaking again, her voice soft and her hazel eyes pleading.
“I want to buy this place, Chandler. I want to raise our daughter here.”
“I love it. I really do, Gabriella.”
And I did. It was the perfect home with plenty of space, yet it had a cozy feeling that just felt right for a family. I didn’t envision us living up in our tower of a penthouse forever. I just hadn’t thought about moving yet, but with the baby weeks away, it made sense.
“You haven’t even seen the rooftop terrace…” said Gabriella in her best saleswoman voice.
I chuckled. “I don’t need to. It’s perfect.”
She smiled at me excitedly.
“I’ll have to look at our financials, of course. A place like this must cost a pretty penny…”
I knew we could afford it easily. I just wanted to be responsible, especially with our daughter on the way.
Gabriella laughed softly and shook her head, and I wondered if I missed some sort of joke.
“We can afford it, Chandler.” Her eyes twinkled.
I cocked my head slightly. We had never really talked about finances yet. I figured it would be a conversation we would have later down the road, but the way she was looking at me made me wonder if there was more to the conversation I wasn’t expecting.
“I’ve kind of been keeping something from you. From everyone, really…”
She took a deep breath.
“It’s hard to know who to trust when you come from a family like mine. I’m sure you can relate. You don’t know who wants to know you for the right reasons.”
I nodded in understanding.
“But I knowyou. You are successful all on your own. I admire that so much about you, and it makes me know I can trust you…”
“Of course, you can. But what are you talking about?”
“I’m the CEO of Harold Enterprises,” she said.
“Co-CEO,” I playfully reminded her.
She laughed and swatted my knee. “But I’ve also been working there for over a decade, with early access to my trust fund…”
My eyes widened. “So, you’re…” I started.
“Rich.” She smiled mischievously. “Very rich.”
“So, this place…”
“Is ours tonight if you want it.”
I looked at her in shock and then around the room that I envisioned more and more as our daughter’s nursery the longer we sat in the center of it.
“I do. I want it. I want our life to be here.”
She squealed and launched herself at me, tackling me to the ground and smothering me with kisses.
