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His answer makes me let out a hard laugh. He can’t be serious? This house is so far from what was originally here that there’s not a chance anyone would even recognize them as the same properties.
“What is that laugh for?” Ethan asks, sounding a little confused.
“You can’t possibly think that anyone would see the house that was here and think you just added onto it,” I reply, shaking my head.
“Okay, maybe it was more than an addition, but that old house did nothing to take advantage of the view and this location.”
“Whatever you say, Mr. Morrison.”
The day passes slowly and by the time five o’clock rolls around, I can’t wait to get back to Ethan’s house. With Alex and Delaney returning from Boston later tonight, I decide to head back to our condo to grab a few more things to take over to Ethan’s.
Just as I’m shutting everything down, Ethan pops his head into my office, a huge smile on his face. Every single time I look at him, my heart starts racing, shocked that I get to call him mine and soon enough, everyone will know. Somehow, I landed the most eligible bachelor in Tahoe, and it feels like a dream. Things are so perfect that nothing can ruin this for me.
“Hey, I’ve got a call in five minutes, but it’ll be quick. You want to hang around and we can head home together?” he asks, positively beaming at the idea of us going home together.
I hate to burst his bubble, but I have things I need to get from the condo, and I wanted to have a little surprise waiting for Delaney when she gets home. She loves these carrot cake cookies from this little bakery in the village, so I plan to run by there and get some.
“I have a few things to do before I come by tonight. Is that okay?” I ask, not that I feel like I need his permission.
“Totally,” Ethan replies, shaking his head. “Sorry, that was shitty of me to assume that I’m the only thing you have going on in your life.”
I smile at his comment. “I’d love it if you were the only thing going on in my life, but I’m going to run over to the Tahoe Bakery and get some cookies for Delaney. I want them to be there when she gets home.”
“Sounds good. Why don’t you pick some up for us too? I’ve got dinner ordered and will grab that when I leave,” Ethan says, and it’s crazy how quickly we’ve fallen into a routine. Picking up dinner and meeting up at his house, having breakfast together and today, I even left a cup of his favorite coffee on his desk. We’ve turned into that adorable couple who do sweet things for each other. People here are going to hate us.
“Perfect. I’ll text you when I’m on my way over.”
“And I’ll drive down and meet you like I always do,” he replies, winking at me. “I’d really like it if you just let me pick you up at the condo, but I know, you like to walk over.”
“I do like to walk over. I’ve been walking all over Badger Creek since I could walk. People walk here, Ethan. It’s the way things go.”
“I guess it’s something I’ll have to get used to,” he says, smiling at me. “I did enjoy my walk here this morning with you,” he now adds, reminding me that we did head over here together and for the first time since he bought Badger Creek, he didn’t drive from his house.
“Well, starting tomorrow, it can be a daily thing. It’s even better in the summer,” I tell him, taking in a deep breath, loving that we won’t have to hide things anymore. “Your house looks out on the lake, and we can walk alongside it.”
“Sounds perfect, babe,” Ethan says, looking over his shoulder as he walks into my office, leaning down to kiss me. “I’ll see you at home.”
“I love this,” I say, resting my hand on his cheek as he pulls back a little.
“And I love you. I’m going to slip out of here so we aren’t too obvious and head back up for my call. Don’t forget to text me when you’re on your way over.”
“Yes, I know, you might have mentioned that already,” I reply, winking at him as I watch him leave my office.
I give him a couple of minutes to get to his office and out of my line of sight because leaving him is hard and I’m likely to follow him to his office for a quickie given half a chance. That desk sex was hot and something that won’t be leaving my mind anytime soon, despite Cameron nearly catching us.
Heading out, I check in quickly at the front desk, leaving the night manager in charge, wondering how everyone is feeling about the expansion, but I don’t stop to talk too long. We have a meeting planned to discuss the expansion in more detail and to talk plans for the future. Obviously, we will have more positions to fill and it will give people the opportunity for advancement. I’m sure Casey will be the first to voice her displeasure with my role in the expansion since it means I’ll be spending more time with Ethan. Just wait till she gets that email announcing our relationship too.
It takes me longer than I expect to stop off at the bakery and get back home. I text Ethan just to let him know so he isn’t worrying while I get some clothes packed up. Tossing some clothes for work in a bag with the hopes that I will just basically move in there once we tell Alex and Delaney.
I worry that Delaney will be upset about me moving out since we are living in a condo owned by my parents, not that I think my parents will ask them to leave. I want her to stay here until she and Alex decide they want to move.
There are so many moving pieces to all of this, not just Ethan and me, but I know Delaney will be happy that I’m happy. The same way I was when she and Alex finally admitted they were infatuated with each other.
I set the cookies on the counter with a little welcome back note. I tell Alex and Delaney to text me when they get home. Ethan and I both agreed that we wouldn’t want to be there when they got home so we don’t overwhelm them after their travels.
I take in a hard breath, looking around the condo, realizing this might be the last time I’m here alone. It might also be the last time I’m here with it still being my home. After tomorrow Ethan’s home will be my home, both of us agreeing that we want to live together.
I catch a glimpse out the sliding glass door as I’m putting on my coat. It has started to snow and something about it makes me smile. I’ve always loved late season snow. There’s something about it that feels different than any other time of the year when it snows. It’s like it’s reminding me that there’s still time left to get in one last ski. It feels like the perfect night to walk over to Ethan’s, enjoying the flakes as they fall around me.
