“That’s the thing,” I said. “Gina and I were talking, and we wanted to make sure that all three of us liked it.”
“Why?” she asked.
I had her full attention now.
“Because we want you to live there with us.”
Her mouth fell open. “You’re asking me to move in with you?” Her voice shook slightly.
I glanced at her then back to the road. “Yes. Will you?”
“Is that why this house is so close to Mom? You wanted us to stay near her?”
“That’s part of the reason,” I said. “Gina and I came here for you. And we want to be close to you and Chloe. This house is exactly what I’m looking for in all aspects.”
“I didn’t get to look around much,” she said. “Gina was all over the place, unable to pick her room. You might want to watch out because she was eyeing the master bedroom.”
I chuckled. “She must not have seen the ocean views from the room next to the master.”
“She did,” Jess said. “She liked the bigger terrace off the master and the private bathroom.”
I shook my head slowly. Maybe if I told her Jess and I needed the space, I’d be able to get her to give it up. Or I’d have to bribe her with something else. There was no getting around her stubbornness sometimes.
I pulled up the driveway to the house. I imagined pulling up every night ready to see Jess and Gina after the end of a day. I couldn’t wait.
“Where’s Sami’s car?” Jess asked.
“She left me the key,” I said. “Come on.”
Looking at the house again with fresh eyes made me love it even more than the first time.
Jess looked a little nervous, so I took her hand and walked with her up the front steps. I picked up the key from under the WELCOME mat and stuck it into the door.
“Welc
ome home,” I said as I let Jess inside the house first. “Now, there’s no pressure,” I said quickly, “but if you like it, you can move in. Or you can wait until later.”
“I’ve never heard you babble before,” Jess said with a smile.
I laughed and scratched at my chin. “Asking a beautiful woman to move in with you is a big deal.”
Jess kissed me, and I pulled her close while we stood in the foyer for a few moments together.
“That should give you my answer.”
“Hm,” I said. “Maybe you should try that again. I couldn’t hear you.”
She swatted at me and then turned toward the inside of the house. There wasn’t any furniture, but I’d researched several interior designers to contact after the house was officially in my name. I imagined what it would look like fully furnished to Jess and my standards. I glanced over at the fireplace and could see Jess and I snuggling by the fire with Gina.
Jess went into the kitchen. I could just hear Gina’s laughter as the three of us made meals together. This place was perfect.
I walked several steps behind Jess, just as Sami had done for me, giving Jess the time to experience the house on her own.
But unlike Sami, Jess turned and held out her hand for me. I took it.
“If this is going to be our house,” she said, “let’s talk about it together.”
“Sure,” I said.