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There was a look of genuine mischief and happiness shining in his dark eyes.
“What did you do?” she said.
But instead of answering, he held out a small square box for her. It was black with a red-and-green bow.
She was afraid to accept the box, much less open it. Only a few objects were given in little boxes.
His grin grew bigger, like a child waiting to see someone’s reaction to something they made.
She hesitated, but he held the box out with pride beaming from his handsome face. She accepted the box and held it just out in front of her.
“Open it,” he prompted.
Slowly she lifted the lid of the box up, squeezed her eyes, and then resigned herself not to freak out if it was jewelry. Inside the box lay a simple metal keychain and two thick keys.
“Keys?”
“I found us a house. It’s a rental but I want to buy it if you’re willing to live with me. I know it’s soon, and I’m not saying you have to move in right away or get rid of your place. But since I’m staying, I’ll need a place to live.”
“Oh, wow. A house. How did you even have time to look at houses?” She picked up the keys and felt the weight of them.
“Well, I already knew the area I wanted to live in, so I just went after the first house that came available. You know my cousin is a Realtor so she’s been keeping an eye on the area. This home was available to rent immediately, but they are also entertaining offers.”
Her eyes shot up to meet his. “The Breakers?”
There was an older neighborhood with a beautiful winding road that ran along the Potomac River in Alexandria, where homes had docks for private boats and big backyards. They used to drive down that road when they dated in high school and talk about how they would live in one of those homes one day. The houses were big with weathered shutters, picket fences, and manicured lawns.
He nodded. “I hope you like it, 1707 North Breaker Ave. It can be ours.”
“Ours?”
He pulled her into his arms, and she buried her face in his chest as emotions swelled.
“I know it seems fast, but I don’t want to risk being unclear about what I want. I’m staying in Virginia. I want to be with you, and I don’t want to spend a single night away from you.”
More tears spilled down her cheeks, and she let the emotions pour out. Drake’s warmth surrounded her as he pulled her into his arms again, his hands rubbing her back. He was putting it all out on the line, offering her everything she always wanted with him.
“Don’t cry, babe. I thought you would be happy.”
“I am. It’s amazing. It’s just hitting me, I guess. Ten years apart, and we fall right back into each other. You’re taking a job at Mercy, buying a house in our dream neighborhood, and you still want me as much as I want you.”
He wiped the tears from her cheeks. “We can have everything we always wanted and more.”
She nodded, and then his mouth was on hers and she stopped thinking about what job she would take and just let herself feel. This man that she had known and loved half her life was back and offering her everything. She owed it to herself to see where things would go. And to let herself enjoy it.
Pulling her knees up on either side of his hips, she kissed him like a woman starved.
“Maybe we should keep this condo for our love shack,” Drake said.
“Less talking and more loving, please.”
“Yes, boss.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Drake
The next morning was Christmas Eve, and they woke up late in a cocoon of rumpled sheets. After making the kind of sumptuous love that left no question on how you felt about each other, Margo packed as much as she could in her largest suitcase because Drake wanted them to stay in the new house for Christmas. They both had the next two days off, and it would be the first time they officially announced their relationship to both their families.
