“It only works if you stick it in the lock and turn it.”
Thesound of Tristan’s amused voice pulled me from my stupor. Ana wasn’t there anymore. I felt bad. She must’ve thought me rude since I hadn’t greeted her properly and didn’t even say goodbye.
“Tristan, what’s this?”
Not fazed by my confusion in the slightest, he simply shrugged. “Keys.”
I blew out an exasperated breath. “Why am I holding them?” The dots were easy enough to connect, but somehow, my brain still had a hard time doing it.
That stupid crooked grin made its appearance. On cue, the butterflies in my stomach took flight.
“Can we go inside?” Millie whined from beside me.
I was surprised she’d managed to stay quiet so long.
“That’s a great idea, princess.”
Since I was still very much frozen in place, he took the keys from me, unlocked the door, and pushed it wide open. Even from where I stood, it was hard to miss how tastefully decorated the place was.
I was about to ask him again what the heck all of this was when he stepped back and made a sweeping movement with his arm. “Ladies. After you.”
Millie didn’t hesitate. She bounded into the house like her butt was on fire. I, on the other hand, stopped in front of him.
“What’s—”
He pressed his finger against my lips. “You wanted a place with a yard for Millie.”
Grabbing his wrist, I yanked his hand away from my mouth. “How did you know?”
“Saw the printouts on your coffee table.”
I nodded slowly. “Soooo, you what…bought me a house?” When the words were out, I realized how ridiculous and presumptuous it sounded. He wouldn’t…
“No,” he said, interrupting my thoughts. I almost sagged with relief. “I boughtusa house.”
“Kate..”
Millie’s scream had Tristan and I racing through the house to find her. She stood in the entryway of one of the rooms. Her little hands covered her mouth, and tears rolled down her cheeks.
I took one look inside and understood.
He hadn’t just bought a house; he created a space for Millie.
White walls were dotted with splashes of purple. Not just any purple, the exact shade she loved. It didn’t stop there. She had an entire wall dedicated to her favorite band member, tastefully done too.
Sayings, song phrases, chibi images, all of it scattered over the white to bring the entire room to life. And in the middle the big, purple sign anyarmywould instinctively recognize.
“Tristan.” I breathed out. “What have you done?”
Before he could answer, Millie’s feet unstuck themselves, and she bolted for the bed.
“Look at all the Mochis, Kate.”
I’d looked. And the longer I stared, the heavier the uncomfortable feeling in my gut got. He’d bought a house. A freaking house. Because of some printouts he’d seen in my apartment.
I didn’t know what to make of that.
“Did you know there’s a name for this specific shade.” He stepped in front of me. Completely unaware of the thoughts tumbling through my brain, he cupped my cheek and dragged his thumb along my skin. “Bora purple,” he said with a chuckle. “Who knew?”
