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Time to go…he mused.
14
JUNE
June arrivedat the office in a hurry, ready to start the day. She had the offer letter filled out for the house, pulled the history on the deed, was looking up comparisons, and getting her ‘ducks’ in a row before Ian arrived. She told him to be here early, but didn’t give him a set time… and honestly didn’t know how to get a hold of him or what hotel he was staying at – which made all of this feel even more insane.
She could not afford a house like this one, but if she sold her place, it would cover the down payment. Perhaps they would hold the house on contingency, and she could put her name on the deed instead of both of them. It was a little alarming to think that she was doing something so crazy as to commit to buying a place with someone like Ian – someone who would act so very strangely, so very odd, and pushed her buttons just like… Joshua.
Her brother was annoyingly irritating sometimes. When she argued with him, Joshua would get mad or tell her to calm down – which was like throwing water on a grease fire. They could pick on each other, goad the other person, but when it came to family? Joshua was relentless in protecting the people within his circle… making her wonder what he would think of Ian.
Ian was similar, but different. He would taunt her, bait her, tried to corner or push her… but it would also be quickly followed by this satisfied smile, and he’d tell her to ‘give him everything’. It was like he thrived on being the one that she could let her innermost thoughts show to – and said as much.
Clicking on another screen, she emailed her brother.
Dear Joshua,
I think I need a reality check and I know you are the one to give it. So here’s the entire thing, and I need an unbiased opinion – and really don’t want to unload to Mom or Dad, because they will just tell me to do what they want. You know they’ve tried to set me up in the past after Mark’s death… and well, they did it again – sort of.
I met a guy – a pen pal of mine that was unexpectedly arranged and conveniently forgotten by Mom, hence the reason I don’t want to say anything to them… and he’s nice.
He’s truly nice.
I didn’t want to like him, but Joshua… I can’t help it. He’s so different from Mark, and I think I needed different. He makes me want to tear my hair out sometimes, makes me laugh uncontrollably, and holds me when I cry. He’s the sweetest and most romantic guy – who might have a few screws loose.
I swear, he makes me shake my head sometimes. Do you know he sends me flowers to work every Monday morning, because he wants me to start my week with a smile and thinking of him?
And last night, we looked at a house together.
A house?!
As in, being grown-ups, commitment, promising the next thirty years to be friends, talk, and give this a chance… and I’m going to do it. We’re putting an offer in. He’s simply amazing, wildly perfect, and borderline insane… and I think I’m falling for him.
Am I crazy?
I mean, he’s in the Army – stationed out there near you – and I know that means he’ll be gone as much as you are from home… but I can handle that.
I’ve never been clingy and value my space – but there is just something so infinitely wonderful about knowing you have someone in your life that is just for you – and I think I’m ready.
Okay – enough mushy stuff.
Do your brotherly thing and tell me I’m nuts. Maybe next time you come home, we can have coffee together at my home.
Be safe.
Love,
June
Looking up as the bell on the door chimed, she saw Ian walk in, carrying a bag and two cups of coffee. He met her eyes and walked past the front desk, completely ignoring Donna and Amanda, heading straight for her… and she fought back a sigh.
She adored his one-track mind and the way he looked at her.
“Good morning,” he said simply, and unexpectedly leaned forward to kiss her on the cheek. He paused and whispered softly in her ear. “I can’t get you out of my mind.”
Backing away, he smiled at her and she flushed, feeling her heart skip a beat in awareness, remembering that toe-curling kiss.
“So? What do we do first?” he began, plopping down in a chair in front of her desk, and leaned forward eagerly. “I’ve never done this before and well, this is your specialty – so I trust you to make the best decisions for us. Coffee?”
