“So, essentially, get married and live together indefinitely, is what you mean,” she says slowly. “So, this isn’t a short-term thing?”
It would probably be a lot more enticing if I said it would only be for a little bit…but that’s not the truth.
“Bliss, I wouldn’t be marrying you with divorce in mind. I would be planning to stay married.”
Her eyes grow alarmingly wide with each word I say. “Wow.”
“Yes. I know it doesn’t sound normal, and I know I’m asking a lot. But you’re the only person I could think of that I could stand to live with.”
Bliss taps those pink nails against the tabletop. “I’m not sure if I should be flattered or concerned.”
Laughing, I reply, “Definitely flattered.”
“You really don’t know me that well, though. What if I have annoying habits you haven’t seen yet?” she says.
“You and I both work a lot. We probably won’t even see each other that much. But before you think about anything more, let me give you a tour of the house so you can see what the living arrangements would be.” She needs to see that I’ve actually thought through the practical part of living together.
“I’m not committing toanything, but I can already tell you I would love this house because this place is gorgeous,” she says.
She stands up, grabs her plate and mine, and carries them to the door. I gather the platters and hurry to swing the door open for her to enter the house.
“Thanks.”
I walk into the kitchen, and Bliss follows me, setting the dishes in the sink.
“You’ve given me more questions than answers tonight,” she admits to me.
That’s not good. I wanted her to leave here completely convinced, not doubting me even more.
“It’s a lot to take in. I know. But maybe just think about it.”
She opens her mouth but then snaps it closed, as though she thought better of whatever she was going to say.
“How about that tour?” she says instead.
“Now that I can do.” I gesture around the kitchen. “All of this is pretty self-explanatory.”
She follows me into the living room with the big floor-to-ceiling windows that look out over the deck and have mountain views, then we go up the stairs to the loft.
“There are two bedrooms upstairs and two downstairs.” I lead her to the farthest door from the stairs and swing it open. “I thought if you liked this one, you could make it an office or whatever you wanted.”
She trails after me in the room and stops in front of the big bay window, then mutters, “Mr. Collins.”
“What was that?”
Bliss clears her throat. “Nothing. I meant to say, it’s a beautiful view from up here.”
I stop next to her and stare out the window. This room faces the same view as the back porch, and the little bit of elevation makes it even better.
“So, if we got married … this would be my room?”
“Yes! Of course!”
“Do you think it would be weird if I brought my bed, though?”
“Oh. I meant you’d probably want to use this as an office space or a craft room or whatever flex space.” I gesture to the empty room. “I mean, if you wanted to put a bed in it, you totally could. But as far as sleeping arrangements…let’s go downstairs.”
She glances around the room one more time, and I’m almost certain I see her smile, but I can’t be sure. I don’t want to get my hopes up too much.
