“Jo?”
“Hmm?” I hum, mimicking his response.
“Never have I ever thought I’d see the day where I’d have my own family who I just bought your dream house for.”
Utterly gobsmacked by his words, the bowl I’m holding slips from my hand, and I stand there, blinking at him.
“What did you say?”
Tyler leaves the kitchen, leaving me frozen in place, returningseconds later holding his keys. He unhooks one, crosses the kitchen and presses it into my palm.
“This is the key to your dream house. The one you told me about. And it’s being thoroughly cleansed with sage as we speak. No spirits left.”
All I can do is gape at him, devoid of words. I’m sure my mouth is hanging open, but I can’t focus on anything but his words or the cold, solid key clutched in my hand. I try to speak, but fail miserably.
When I’m still silent Tyler’s thumb starts thrumming anxiously against his thigh.
“Jo, I’m gonna need you to say something. Was this too presumptuous of me? Did I do it again?”
That snaps me out of it. I fling both arms around his neck, clamoring to be close to him. Laughing, I pepper kisses on every inch of his face until Tyler laughs with me. He pushes a curl behind my ear, and cups my face with his warm palm.
“I love you, Jo. You’ll get tired of those words, I plan on saying them so much. I love you and our kids with everything in me.”
Turning my head, I kiss his open hand, full to bursting with love for this man. “Never. I could never tire of those words. Now let’s go see our house.”
I move from his embrace, but he tugs me back to him, grinning.
“Wait, what about the kids?”
I guess I got a little ahead of myself. “We’ll tell them it’s your house. You bought it. When the time is right we can explain everything.”
Tyler accepts this idea and I collect our kids to go see our future home. We all pile into Tyler’s SUV and he drives a few blocks. On the way, I explain to Abby and Jay that Tyler bought a new house and he wants us to see it. The whole time I’m talking, Abby gives me a knowing look, and I avoid her stare, focusing on Jay instead. That child truly is like her father.
When we arrive, Tyler unlocks the door and both kids run inside, but I tug Tyler to me for a selfie to send to Penny, Cassie, and Lisa.
Holding the key up, I put my cheek against Tyler’s and snap the picture. I scroll to the group text with the four of us, and type out my message.
Surprise! Tyler loves me and our kids. Oh, and he bought us a house.
Lisa
Cassie
Thank God you got your head out of your ass. I love both of you and congrats. Girls night at your place. Can’t wait for the day I can call you my cousin.
Penny doesn’t respond right away. She and Austin left earlier today, flying out for an awards show in Las Vegas, so she’s probably resting at the hotel. Just as I’m sliding my phone back in my purse, it lights up with one more text.
Penny
Surprise!
And under that, she’s sent a picture of her and Austin, a Vegas wedding chapel behind them flashing brand new wedding bands.
I tilt my phone for Tyler to see. His face splits into a huge smile and he shakes his head.
“I’ll be damned. Didn’t have that on their itinerary.”
It’s been two days since I showed Jo and the kids our home. Two days full of unpacking, moving things around, and throwing out things I no longer need. Jo has brought Abby and Jay each evening and they help out some. Well, it’s mostly Jo and Abby helping, while Jay sulks about being bored. Same, kid. Moving is a pain in the ass, and this is the last time I plan on doing it.
