“Someday, we’ll discuss our finances in detail. In short, we are comfortable. But mind you, we’re no Hawthornes.” His lips slightly turn up, but his emerald eyes remain serious.
I put my arms around his waist, resting my head over his beating heart. “I like how we are.”
“Then, pack your things. We’re going home, angel.”
Looking around the loft, I remember my first day in this house. I was such a giant ball of nerves.
I amble closer to the window and my hand brushes over the metal pole of the broken lamp. The corner of my mouth twitches, remembering how Keith stormed into my room hearing the sound of the shattering glass.
Angry. Shirtless. Hot as hell.
My phone rings and I grab it from the kitchen counter.
“Hello, bestie. Why are you hiding these days?” Em chirps in her singsong voice.
“I’m not hiding.” I chuckle. “We’re back at the house, sorting and packing some personal stuff before the movers come tomorrow.”
I look around and wonder where to start.
“I’m so excited for you. Your dream of having your own life, own family, is finally becoming a reality.”
“That’s so true.” My grip around the phone tightens. For once in my life everything is perfect, especially how I feel in my heart. “But I’ve asked Keith to not sell this house immediately.”
“Why? You think you might change your mind?” she asks carefully.
“No! God, no.” I twist my engagement ring, never wanting to see my hand without it. “But what if Mere someday misses…this? This house, this life before me?” I grimace just thinking about it.
“Are you crazy? That girl is smitten by you.”
“That’s exactly what Keith said.” I try to soak in her words and her confidence.
“Then listen to him.”
“Look at you! Taking sides with the guy you used to refer to as obnoxious.” I put on my wireless earphones and drag out one of my suitcases from the closet.
“He was back then. But now he is—what’s the word you used the other day—sinfully seductive?”
I burst into laughter, and it’s followed by her giggles. “I’m not joking, Em. He’s so hot in the bedroom, shower, or any place in the house when Mere isn’t around. I can’t believe sometimes he’s the same person from before.”
She doesn’t speak for several beats before releasing a heavy sigh. “I think some people need a gentle push to see what they’re missing out on in life. But some require all the powers of the universe working together, shoving them in the path of happiness. Our Keith is the latter.”
“I guess you’re right.” I smile at her over-the-top but accurate remark.
By the time I end the call with Em, I’ve already placed most of my things in the moving boxes, ready for our new house.
I run down the stairs, popping my head in Merida’s room. She’s busy folding her clothes and putting them in one of the cardboard boxes. Purple headphones on her ears, she lightly bounces on her feet.
I tiptoe back into the living room and notice that all the photographs from the mantel are now packed in a box. Keith’s parents with baby Merida on their lap, Merida and Keith in a park, guys from Kings Security at Tiki’s. Realization dawns on me that I’ve never seen a single picture of Melanie in the house.
My thoughts are interrupted by a noise from Keith’s room and my head turns in that direction. So much has changed since we were last in this house.
I walk up to his door and my hand pauses at the last minute as I’m about to knock.
This is his bedroom. His and hers.
Should I even go in?
I shake my head.