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A low chuckle resonated from his end, the sound bringing a small smile to my face. "Great, what's on the menu then? Your wish is my command, milady."
I let out a soft laugh, the lightness in his voice working its magic on me. "Well, I have a craving for blueberry pancakes, lots of syrup, and scrambled eggs. Is that okay with you?"
His laughter echoed again, brighter this time. "Your appetite seems to be soaring these days. Is all this scheming with Tyree making you hungry, or is it the change of scenery?"
Rolling my eyes, I retorted playfully, "Don't worry about it. And about the coffee, don't bother. I see a coffee maker right here in my kitchenette."
As we ended the call, a knot loosened in my heart. Yes, the conversation about school was looming, just like my talk with my father and Clint, but for now, I allowed the promise of breakfast with Brad to soothe my frayed nerves.
Feeling restless after a sleepless night, I found myself wide awake and alone in my new loft, my heart full of unresolved feelings. However, the thought of breakfast with Brad was enough to push me out of bed and into action. I jumped up, feet smacking against the chilled wooden floor. The warm morning light was already streaming in, casting the room in soft, cheerful hues.
With a growl, my stomach demanded to be filled. "Hang in there," I muttered to myself, dashing off to the shower. The jet of hot water was like a balm to my overworked nerves. Steam filled the bathroom, carrying with it the sweet, comforting scent of my vanilla body wash. As I stood under the spray, my anxieties momentarily slipped away, washed down the drain with the falling water.
Done with the shower, I padded over to my suitcase, hidden in the corner of the room. Dressed in nothing but a fluffy white towel, I rummaged around until my fingers closed around a soft fabric. Pulling it out, I couldn't help the smile that tugged at my lips. It was my favorite summer dress, its cheerful floral print promising a better day.
I slipped the dress on, relishing the light fabric against my skin, a welcome change from the heavy winter clothes I'd been donning back in Wyoming. A soft breeze wafted through the open window, playing with the loose ends of my hair, its balmy touch whispering words of home.
I brushed my damp hair into a messy bun and stared at my reflection in the mirror. The girl looking back at me seemed stronger, more resilient, and ready to take on whatever the day had in store for her. I flashed the reflection a reassuring smile, one that mirrored my mom's comforting expression when I'd been troubled.
I spent the rest of the morning anxiously tidying up the loft, anticipating Brad's arrival. When I finally heard the knock at the door, my heart leaped into my throat. I quickly pulled it open, revealing Brad's towering figure. His captivating smile was the same as always, but there was something different in his eyes, a serious glint that made my stomach churn with nerves.
"Good morning, beautiful," he greeted me, stepping inside and handing me a brown paper bag filled with fresh groceries.
We busied ourselves in the small kitchenette, and as Brad expertly flipped the blueberry pancakes, I couldn't help but study him. His strong arms, concentration on the task, and casual familiarity in my space all felt so right. It was domestic, comforting, and utterly terrifying at the same time.
Once we sat down for our improvised breakfast, Brad finally broke the silence. "Courtney," he began, his gaze intense. "I've been thinking about us, about our future."
I froze with a spoonful of syrup-drenched pancake halfway to my mouth. "Oh?" I managed to ask, struggling to maintain my composure.
"I've realized that I want more," he confessed, his hand reaching across the table to cover mine.
"What do you mean?" I asked, my heart pounding like a drum in my chest.
He took a deep breath before saying, "I want to propose, Court."
I blinked, stunned. A proposal? From Brad? My head spun as I tried to process the words.
Seeing the shock on my face, Brad quickly added, "Not right now, of course. But someday...soon. I want to be there for you, to protect you. I love you, Courtney, and I want to make you feel safe and cherished."
My mind reeled, a mix of surprise, confusion, and a strange sense of relief. My trust in Brad had never wavered, but this...this was a step I hadn't anticipated.
Yet as I looked into Brad's sincere eyes, I realized that this wasn't just a declaration of love—it was an oath of protection. And I couldn't deny the comfort that it brought.
"Brad," I finally responded, squeezing his hand reassuringly. "I...I need time to think."
He nodded, understanding. "Of course, take all the time you need."
In that moment, my heart warmed to him even more. This man, who had shown me nothing but kindness, respect, and love, was willing to wait for me, even in the face of such a life-altering decision.
I took a deep breath, letting his words sink in. I was scared, yes, but also intrigued by the idea of a future with Brad. The proposal shocked me but opened the door to possibilities I had been too afraid to consider.
For the first time in a long while, the whirlwind of thoughts in my mind began to slow down. Maybe, just maybe, there was a path forward—and Brad was offering to walk it with me.
Brad rose from the breakfast table, saying he needed to leave to give me some space to digest everything. "I'm just a phone call away, Courtney," he assured me, his gaze soft with understanding. As the door shut behind him, the room felt emptier, echoing the sudden loneliness.
Needing to clear my mind, I decided to go for a walk. Dressed in my summery dress, I enjoyed the warm sun on my skin as I strolled along the sidewalk, appreciating the beautiful surroundings of Casa Palacious, my new neighborhood. The chirping of birds in the distance and the gentle rustling of leaves provided the perfect backdrop for my thoughts.
As I walked down the path, I spotted Ariel tending to her colorful flower garden. Her kind face lit up when she saw me and waved me over. From the moment we met, I was drawn to Ariel's lively spirit, devotion to her husband, Guy, and love for her son, Jonathan.
