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I freeze, narrowing my eyes, and glare. He has the nerve to grin cunningly. “We’re moving my mattress to your place. You pick something for here. There’s a huge market for furnished rentals in the area. A new mattress will be a bonus.”
“Renters?” I squeak.
“You’re modeling your dream home, and when it’s done, we’re not doing that two-house bullshit. I’ll put mine on the rental market for a while unless a buyer comes in with an offer I can’t refuse.”
“Buyer?” His words are jumbling together but I’m trying to keep up.
“Most likely go the rental route to keep the tax benefits.”
“Are you—” I swallow, trying to ease the quiver in my voice. “Are you inviting yourself to move in with me?”
“You got a problem with that?”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to lash out, but it doesn’t come because the idea sinks in and hits me with such a force it soars through me. “I… I…”
“Take it in, baby.”
“H-h-how long have you been planning this?” I stammer through the question.
“My whole life.”
The answer is simple. No hesitation, no bullshit, it’s all him and I can’t find any argument anywhere in my dazed brain. Instead, I race through his rooms, picking apart everything.
“Your recliners will match my living room furniture perfectly. And if you’re not too opposed, this bedroom set will look fabulous in the upstairs suite. We can buy something else if the renters need.”
His eyes glimmer brilliantly and his face lights up with satisfaction. “You already ordered something for upstairs?”
“Nothing I can’t cancel.”
He places his lips to mine, the warmth of his breath going straight to my heart. But nothing prepares me for what he says next. “All my life, I wanted my kids to grow up in a house that had my hand in it. You’re giving me that, Princess. We outgrow this one, I’ll build you another one.”
My nose and eyes burn but I push it down. “All my life, I fantasized about having what my parents had. The chaos, the crazy, but at the end of each day, all of it was love.”
“Get ready, because your days of living in shit are long gone.
“I know.”
Chapter 20
Miller
I focus on the reports on my desk, ready to wrap them up and get to Ashlyn’s. In the two weeks since Dev was born, everyone has taken up the slack to allow Pierce to be home. Which means my time and efforts on other projects are stretched thin.
Ashlyn, on the other hand, is at her house every morning when the first crew arrives. She works alongside them, helping in all capacities. Like she wanted, every room in that house will have her personal touch.
My mind drifts to my newborn nephew, more so how Ashlyn is with him. Motherly, soft, loving… she looks at him with such adoration it glows on her.
It hasn’t gone unnoticed to anyone else, either. With each picture she sends to her parents, I get a corresponding message back from Dozer. It’s always the same thing.
??
That’s it. A set of question marks.
He’s strong on tradition but he’s sending a message. And I’m reading it loud and clear, more than ready to get the ball rolling.
That day at my house, when Ashlyn unloaded her story, things changed. If there was any question of my commitment to Ashlyn after our conversation at Thanksgiving, those questions were answered.
No one blinked an eye when we shared the news I was moving into her house. Now everyone is waiting on me to make my move.
It took Peirce less than two months to get a ring on Darby’s finger after she came home. And he reminds me of that every day, ribbing me incessantly.
As if on cue, he strolls into my office, looking relaxed and casual, plopping down across from me. “What’s happening?”
“You don’t look like a sleep-deprived zombie.”
“Because I’m not. Shit man, you do not understand how much different this is.” His eyes brighten as he rubs his chin. “Never knew it could be like this.”
“Happy for you, brother.”
“I’m here to take some of those files off your desk and warn you. Evin’s ditching the party and hanging with y’all tonight.”
Tonight is the Brasher Christmas party. Ashlyn volunteered to babysit, and Pierce wanted to get Darby out for a few hours.
“Doesn’t surprise me, he’s possessive over that baby.”
“He showed last night with a shitload of gifts for Maya and Cole, grabbed a beer, and stayed for the late feeding for Darby to get ready for bed.”
Sometime during the first week home, Darby decided she wasn’t going to solely breastfeed. She felt it was important for everyone to be involved with Dev’s life. Especially Maya and Cole. Pierce didn’t push, but was fucking thrilled with her decision. He felt it was less stress and pressure on her to have help with the feedings. She’s keeping the fridge stocked with her milk so whenever it’s time for him to eat, anyone is able to jump in. It’s not surprising Evin stayed to help last night.
