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“I didn’t want to spoil the surprise.”
“You really bought this place?”
“I really did. And I was hoping you would stay here with me tonight. You know, a new house and all the new noises. I might get scared.”
“Well, we can’t have that now, can we?” She laughs. “I’d love to. I’m so excited for you.”
“Thank you. Now, come on, we need to go.” Together, we lock up and head back to my car. “Reach into the glove box,” I say, backing out of the drive.
“What am I looking for?” she asks, opening the glove box.
“A set of keys.”
“These?” she asks, holding up the keys.
“Yep. Those are yours.”
“These aren’t mine.” I can tell she’s a little defensive, thinking I maybe mixed her up with someone else.
“They are now. That’s your set of keys to the new house.”
“Conrad—” She stops. “I don’t know what to say to this.”
“You don’t say anything. You put them in your purse and know that anytime you want to use them, they’re there for when you’re ready. The first bay in the garage is yours. Here is the garage door opener for your car.” I pick it up from the cupholder and hand it to her.
“This feels like I’m moving in.”
“It’s me giving my girlfriend full access to me and my home. It’s me telling you that I want you in my life, and I’m willing to take any part of yours that you’re willing to give.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Don’t say anything. Just take the keys and the door opener and promise me that you'll use them.”
“Okay,” she whispers, sliding the keys and the garage door opener into her purse. This time she’s the one who reaches over the console and laces our fingers together.
I need to call my family and tell them what I’ve done, but today, I just want to spend some time with her. We’ll meet the movers, then follow them back here to instruct them where to unload, and the first order of business is setting up my bed. After that, we’ll call my family, and maybe even invite them over. We can order pizza or something. All I know is tonight will be my first night in my new house, and Aspen will be in my bed next to me. There’s nothing more in this world I want.
Chapter 25
Aspen
He’s moving. He bought a house to prove to me he’s serious about us. Talk about a grand gesture. It’s not just a house. It’s a beautiful house—huge and perfect. It’s my dream house. The moving truck just loaded the last of the boxes and the furniture.
“I still have a few things to pack, but we can come back and get that. I need to meet them there to let them in,” Conrad tells me.
“Why don’t you drop me off at my place? I’ll grab some clothes for tomorrow and pick up lunch.”
“That sounds perfect. I’m starving. I’m going to call my parents and my brothers on the way. What do you think about having them over tonight for pizza? I know they’re going to want to see the place.”
“That’s up to you.”
“Yeah, but you’re a part of this.”
“Conrad, I love your family.”
“Good. They love you too. I’ll set it up for later, maybe seven? That gives the movers time to unload and for us to have some time together.”
“Okay. I’ll stop at the store on my way and grab some drinks, and paper plates, things like that.”
“Here.” He reaches into his pocket and pulls out his wallet. He hands me a one-hundred-dollar bill.
“I’m not taking your money.”
“It’s for my family.”
“Who has told me multiple times that I’m one of them. I have money, Conrad.”
“Aspen,” he warns.
“Take it or leave it. Either I pay, or I just stay at my place.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“Try me.”
He stares at me for a few seconds, but I can tell he’s going to concede. “Fine,” he grumbles, shoving the money back in his wallet. “You win this time.”
“Come on. We need to get a move on. The movers are going to be waiting on you.”
“They get paid by the hour.”
“That doesn’t mean you waste time and money. Come on, slowpoke.” I pull him out the door and to his car. He drops me off at my place with a quick kiss to my lips and a promise from me that I’ll be right behind him.
When I walk into the bakery, Aurora is all smiles. “Well?”
“You already know.”
“But I haven’t seen the inside. How is it? Is it as pretty on the inside as it is on the outside?”
“It’s gorgeous.”
“Are you moving in with him?”
Reaching into my purse, I pull out the keys and the garage door opener he gave me. “He said these are mine to use as I see fit. He also says that as soon as I decide that I’m ready to move in that he’s ready.”
