Page 29 of Tiny Precious Secrets (The Brothers of Calloway Creek The Montanas #4)
The three of us leave her in the kitchen and go up the stairs.
I stand and look around, smiling as I’m reminded of my own apartment, but on a smaller scale.
There’s even a skylight. The big difference is that this ‘apartment’ is all one room, more like a studio.
There are three large windows overlooking the back yard and two more with a view of the front.
An alcove area that was probably used for a bed would be perfect for Asher’s desk.
I can picture a couch along the opposite wall, and maybe a grouping of chairs or a small table.
There’s even a wet bar with a small refrigerator and microwave.
It’s anyone’s work-from-home dream office.
“This is amazing,” I say, finally feeling like I can share my thoughts now that Bug isn’t around.
I start telling Asher everything I was picturing in my head, when I see a flash of blue. I guess Bug was curious after all. Instantly, I shut up, not wanting her to know how perfect I think the house is.
Her eyes go wide as she takes in the expansive room. The three of us watch her in silence as she runs a finger along the counter of the wet bar, then peeks into the closet and attached bathroom.
“We should get this one.”
Three pairs of stunned eyes stare at her.
“You… like this house?” Asher asks.
“I like this room .” She walks to the back windows and looks out. “ This should be my bedroom.”
Asher strides up next to her. “Bug, this would be my office.”
Her hands land on her hips. “That makes no sense whatsoever. This is clearly a bedroom. It has a private bathroom. It has a closet. The room downstairs should be your office. You wouldn’t have to remodel anything that way. And that room is still big and has a killer view of the yard.”
Asher cocks his head and looks around the room. When his eyes find mine, all I can do is bite my lip and shrug. It is a rational argument. But I don’t dare say so, otherwise she’s likely to retract her words.
He walks to the door with the deadbolt on it, opens it, and sunlight pours through. “On one condition,” he says, turning to Bug. “I’m sealing this entrance until you’re thirty.”
She thinks on it, then says, “We could still put in a pool, right?”
“It’s the first thing we’ll do.”
She smiles. She smiles for the first time today. Maybe the first time since I’ve been in her presence. She skips over to Asher and holds out her hand. “Deal.”
“Did we just… buy a house?” I ask tentatively.
Asher puts his arm around Bug. “We sure as hell did.”
Julie lets out a long sigh, as if she was beginning to think she’d never be able to close any deal that Bug was a part of.
She must see the way Asher and I are holding in our excitement.
“Darla, why don’t I take you out back while your dad and Allie discuss their offer.
You can show me where you think the pool should go. ”
They leave the room, and as soon as Julie’s voice becomes distant, I practically jump into Asher’s arms.
He wraps me in a hug and kisses my head. “Do you really like it?”
“I really love it. The twins’ rooms will be right next to ours. You’ll have your large office. And Bug is a teenager, she needs her own space. It’s perfect.”
“I’m serious about sealing the outer door.”
I laugh. “I never doubted it. Besides, I know firsthand that you should.”
He raises a questioning brow, but I don’t elaborate. He doesn’t need to know how often Jason used to visit me using the outside stairs to my apartment.
He swipes my hair behind my ear and dips his head. “I can’t wait to live with you. To build a life with you. To have these babies with you. To christen every room in this house with you.” He kisses a spot on my neck. “To fucking marry you.”
Sparks dart through me at his words. The warmth of his body. His confidence in our future.
“We’re one step closer, you know.” He pulls back and looks me in the eye. “We’re moving here. We have a house, one Bug loves as much as we do.” He squeezes my hand. “It’s only a matter of time before she loves you as much as I do.”
I look down at the floor. “I’m not holding my breath.”
He puts a finger under my chin and forces me to look at him. “It’ll happen, sweetheart. But this is a marathon, not a sprint.”
His words hit me square in the chest. He’s so right. I keep thinking I have to get her to like me today . Now . But that’s just unrealistic. I have to play the long game here.
I lean up on my tiptoes and kiss his cheek. “Have I ever told you how smart you are?”
“I don’t think you have.”
“Well, you are.”
“I like the way you pump my ego.” His eyes grow dark and dangerous. “What else do you think I am?”
“Let’s see.” I lick my lips. “Handsome.” I kiss his shoulder. “Strong.” I kiss his neck. “Charming.” I kiss the edge of his mouth. “And oh, so sexy.”
His eyes are ablaze when his lips crash against mine and he kisses me for the first time in the house that will soon be our home. The place we’ll raise our kids. Maybe even the place where we’ll grow old together.
“I love you,” he says against my lips.
“I love you too.”