“You... you bought a house? Already?”
“I’m buying it, yes. But Leigh, I need you to understand something.” He came closer, taking my hands. “I’m not asking you to move in right away if you’re not ready. I know that’s a big step and we’ve only been together for a few months. You can stay at Wren’s as long as you need. But when you are ready, whenever that is, I want this to be ours. Our home.”
Tears were already streaming down my face.
“I need to know you like it,” he continued. “Because I don’t want to build a home here without you. I want you to help me pick paint colors and furniture. I want your photos on these walls. I want this to be a place we create together, even if it takes time.”
“Dex, how can you afford this? The garage, the house…”
“I have savings. My grandparents left me some money when they passed, and I’ve been careful with it. And I already havesomeone interested in buying my house in Willowbrook. Booker actually wants it as an investment property. The numbers work, Leigh. I’ve done the math. This isn’t some impulsive decision I can’t afford.”
“But it’s so fast…”
“I know it’s fast. I know this is crazy.” He cupped my face in his hands. “But I also know that I love you. That I want to build a life with you here. And when Wren sent me the listing for this house, I could see us here. Could see mornings on that deck with coffee. Could see you in that kitchen. Could see coming home to you after work.”
“You really see that?”
“I really see that. Do you?”
I looked around again. At the space. The light. The ocean view. The porch swing visible through the front window. The potential.
I could see it too. Could see my camera equipment in the smallest bedroom. Could see us cooking together in that kitchen. Could see curling up on a couch we’d pick out together, the cats draped over us. Could see building a life here.
Our life.
“Yes,” I whispered. “I can see it.”
His whole face lit up. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.” I laughed through my tears. “Yes. I love it. It’s perfect.”
“You’re not just saying that?”
“I’m not just saying that. Dex, it’s beautiful. And the fact that you did this, that you’re really doing this…” My voice broke. “I can’t believe you’re really here. That this is really happening.”
“Believe it.” He pulled me close. “I’m here. I’m staying. This is happening.”
“When can you move in?”
“If the inspection goes well and everything closes on time? Late September, maybe early October.” He pulled back to lookat me. “And Leigh? Whenever you’re ready. Whether that’s a month from now, six months from now, a year from now… this is your home too. No pressure. No expectations. Just... know that whenever you’re ready, I’ll be here.”
I kissed him then, hard and desperate and full of everything I felt. Love and gratitude and wonder that this man was real, that he was mine, that he was doing this impossible thing.
When we finally pulled apart, both breathless, I rested my forehead against his.
“I love you, Dex Moore.”
“I love you too, Leigh Pierce.”
“Show me the rest.”
He grinned and took my hand, leading me through the house. The main bedroom was small but had an en-suite bathroom. The second bedroom was perfect for guest room and then the last bedroom would make an amazing office or studio space. The yard was private, with an old oak tree and plenty of room for a garden.
We ended up back on the front porch, sitting on the swing, looking out at the neighborhood.
“I can’t believe Wren kept this a secret,” I said. “She’s terrible at keeping secrets.”
“She was very invested in making sure I found the right place. Sent me listings all week. She even somehow found out about some before they even went on the market. I have a feeling Wren could be pretty scary if you caught her on the wrong day,” he joked.
