“You said my couch was ugly.”
“Yes, now so more than when I originally made the statement.” She glares at me and I ignore her words, not wanting to scratch at old wounds. “This one is definitely much better.”
“I agree.” She turns around and I cup the side of her jaw, leaning in to kiss her lips. “This couch made me think of all of the ways you and I could break it in.”
“Oh it did, did it?”
I nod, kissing her once again.
“I want to ask you something.”
“Okay,” she says with caution and I continue to hold her close. “I want you to move in with me.” Her eyes grow wide and as I thought she attempts to step back. “Before you try to take offon me thinking that I’m crazy and this is too fast, let me tell you that it’s not. I bought this house with you in mind, from the beginning it was you that I wanted to share it with. Build a life with, and that may seem crazy to you but not for a second have I thought it was crazy.”
“It’s just that.” She pauses as if she is unsure of how to say what is running through her mind.
“You think that I’m gonna change my mind. Like somehow us moving in together is going to ruin what we have but Sophie it’s just the opposite. I don’t like waking up without you. I don’t like laying in an empty bed knowing you are across town. I want to feel you at my side, I want to be able to reach out and hold you in the middle of the night. I also think the part about showering together is pretty great too.”
She pokes at my side and I grab her hand.
“I also know that you’re thinking of Jillian, and you should know that I already told her the apartment downstairs is hers. It has its own entrance, and everything she could need. It also allows the two of you to still hang out and do all the same things you love doing now. I’m not asking you to leave her, I’m asking that you share this home with me.”
Sophie nibbles on her lip. “You already talked to Jillian?”
“I did,” I tell her, rubbing my free hand up and down her back. “I know how close all you girls are. I know that you and Jillian have lived together since you were eighteen. I also know that her parents are supportive and that she leans on you a lot, and I’d never want to come between that. But I do want you Sophie, and I want to build a life with you. I was hoping that you’d be ready to start doing that now.”
“I don’t cook well,” she blurts out and it makes me laugh. “I’m serious, without Jilly I’d probably starve or survive strictly on canned soups. I somehow burn toast. Even though it has a setting I still burn it. I’m awful!”
“I’m not asking for a chef, babe.”
“No?”
“No,” I repeat, kissing her. God this woman makes my heart race. “I know how to cook.”
She nods, and I’m unsure if she is agreeing or just simply registering it all in her mind going over some imaginary checklist.
“Is that a yes?” I ask, feeling as though I am holding my breath, praying for the answer I want.
“Okay,” she says and relief washes over me.
“Great,” I say. “Because the couch is as far as I got in the whole decorating scheme of things.” She laughs, like I am joking around with her. “Babe, I’m not kidding. I bought a couch and chairs, that’s all.”
Her eyes widen as she looks around the space, taking it all in. The now blank walls, the emptiness it holds. It’s much different from when she and I first took a tour of the house before the previous owners moved out.
“The rest, it’s up to you. You’re going to be super busy.” I kiss her cheek. “Build us a home, baby.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
Sophie
“I’m pregnant,”Lexi blurts out and we all freeze. We’re sitting around in a circle, enjoying our morning coffees and bagels, like we do at least once a week. It’s then I notice Lexi has a smoothie today and it registers.
“Girl we suspected because you’ve been a hag,” Adley says with a laugh and Lexi glares at her. “See, right there.” She points and this time Lexi smiles along with the rest of us.
“Sutton you don’t seem surprised.”
“I'm not.” She takes a sip of her water. “She told me last night.”
We all shift our attention back to Lexi.
