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“Ian…”
“Let’s flip for it,” he interrupted, smiling at her.
“Flip…for a house?” she practically shouted in disbelief, slapping her hand on her forehead. “We’renothaving this conversation.”
“Fine, I’ll ask that other girl to be my realtor…”
“You’ll do no such thing,” she growled vehemently, glaring at him, as he held his hands up in surrender.
“Let’s leave it to chance,” he offered, smiling. “I’m a huge believer in destiny and fate… and I’ve told you that. So, let’s take a chance.”
“By flipping a coin?”
“Yeah, I forgot my pockets are empty and I don’t have a coin, but I’ve got an even better idea.”
“What’s that?”
“I’ll kiss you – and if you feel nothing? Then I won’t buy the house,” he shrugged easily and looked at her. “But if you do feel something? And I mean, really feel it down to those pretty little toes? We’re buying this house and getting engaged.”
“WHAT?!”
“I didn’t stutter, Minx,” he grinned. “I’m putting my cards out on the table – that currently isn’t here – and telling you this would be a perfect place for us. One kiss. I either leave you alone or Gigi gets her doggy door and you get to fix up our home however you want while I’m overseas, until I can walk you down the aisle,” he hesitated. “I mentioned I’m catholic, right? We’re doing this in a church - properly.”
“You want to get married in a church properly – but you are talking about buying some expensive house on a whim?”
“Yup,” he said arrogantly, leaning back on his heels.
“You’re mentally messed up,” she retorted, feeling her heart hammer wildly in her chest as she stared at him.
“In so many ways,” he admitted, and held out his hand. “Come with me to the alcove again.”
She stared at his palm, then looked at his face, and that tender smile.
“You can trust me. Gimme everything you’ve got – and it’s literally sixty seconds of your time in a place we both adored.”
She put her hand in his as he pulled her towards the bedroom – flipping several light switches until the alcove glowed warmly. He walked her over, held both of her hands in his and looked at her with such warmth, such unrestrained emotions, that it was staggering to behold.
“June Peyton,” he breathed, his voice trembling. “Will you do me the honor of putting up with me… and seal the deal with a kiss?”
She stared into his eyes, saw the nervousness in his gaze, and felt his rough hands in hers, realizing he was offering her the world if she would take a chance on him.
He was offering to buy her this beautiful house, hinted at seeing her holding a baby someday, and talked about a long engagement… which would give her time to acclimate to the idea or back out, but this was serious.
Buying a house was serious.
… And Ian was anything but that.
She would be the serious one between them, and he threw himself headlong into things all based off of ‘fate’ or ‘destiny’… but he had been unflappable at being a friend. He reached for her, made her feel special, and treated her like a princess when he was with her – and even when they were apart. The flowers, the gifts, the emails and voicemail.
“June?” he whispered nervously, swallowing. “Do you have a Tic-Tac or some breath mints for me? Maybe chewing gum?”
… And she laughed.
He was crazy… but made her happier than she had been in years within these last two days.
“Is that a ‘good laugh’ – or a ‘temporary insanity’ laugh?” he asked, arching an eyebrow.
“One kiss, huh?” she asked, fighting back a smile. “One single kiss will decide things?”
