Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
It was the first time we’d been together around them since we said this was real between us. She was fucking radiant. With the stress of our story locked tight behind us, she was laughing and cutting up. So much so her father pulled me to the side to thank me for bringing his daughter to life.
She’s the one who has brought me to life, and I told him so.
We’ve gone to the last two Sunday dinners at Kincaid Central, but today, the twins are teething, Beckham has a stomach bug, and Brooks is working, so it’s canceled. Don’t get me wrong, I love my family fiercely. However, when I got the call, I was sad that my nieces and nephews weren’t well, but I was stoked to get all day with Courtney, just hanging around the house. She deemed it a jammies day, much to my dismay, but her smile when she said it was worth us having to cover up when we climbed out of bed for breakfast.
“I need to swap the laundry,” she says, making no move to get up. “We left towels in the washer.”
Call me crazy, but I love this. Talking about mundane things in life with her, like laundry. I want all of her minutes in each and every day. Laundry, groceries, cleaning, kids’ schedules, we’ll get to that last one, I’m sure of it.
“Merrick?”
“Yeah?”
“Where did you go?”
“What?” I shake out of my thoughts, giving her all of my attention.
“You were so lost in thought, I’m not even sure you heard me.” There’s concern in her voice, and I love that too. She loves me, she knows me, even the slightest change and she notices. We are so in tune with one another.
“I was listening, baby. You said you needed to swap out the laundry because there are towels in the washer.” I was distracted, but I still heard every word.
“So he is awake.” She chuckles.
“I was just thinking about something really important.”
“Oh, yeah? You want to talk about it?”
“I do, actually.”
She turns in my arms to face me and rests her hand on my cheek. “I’m all ears. What’s got you so distracted?”
“You do.” I smile because I immediately see the confusion crossing her features.
“Me?”
“Yes. You. I love this, Court. I love us being here together like this. I love that we cook together and clean together. I love that I left a load of towels in the washer that I forgot to flip over and you remembered.”
“You feeling all right?” she teases.
“I’ve never felt better. I’ve never been happier.”
Her eyes soften. “Me too. I never could have known that telling you how much I love you would have led to this.”
“We’re just getting started, gorgeous.”
“We are,” she agrees.
“That’s why I think you should move in with me.” I drop the words like a bomb. We’ve not talked about her moving in up to this point, but I’ve thought about it nonstop. We’re ready for this. I know we are. There isn’t anyone else in this lifetime for me.
Courtney’s my one.
“Say that again.”
“Move in with me. This is already our home. We picked out everything together, and when you’re not here, it feels like something is missing. Let’s make it official and move in with me.” I’m mentally going over all of my reasons. Saving money on her rent and utilities. Her life would be more organized with all of her stuff in one place. We never have to ask if you are coming over or staying ever again. The list keeps growing as my girl processes what I’ve just asked her.
I’m gearing up to launch into my unlimited list of reasons when she replies.
“Okay.”
I shake with laughter. “That word. Good fucking things happen to me when you say okay, baby. You’re really doing it? You’re moving in?”
“Yes.”
“I love you so much, baby. When?”
She shrugs. “Whenever. I can start going to my place after work and bringing a few more bags and boxes each night.”
“What can I do? I can call my brothers, and we can load up your furniture, bring whatever you want. I don’t care as long as this is where you get your mail.”
“All of my furniture is secondhand, to be honest. My bedroom suite is nice, but it’s a queen, so we can put that in one of the spare bedrooms, but we can donate the rest.”
“Actually, why don’t we put it in the basement?”
Her eyes light up. “That’s a good idea. We can store it in the garage until the basement is ready.”
My phone vibrates with a message. Reaching above me, I check it to make sure it’s not something important.
Maverick: You good, brother?
I grin. The crazy twin sense is playing again today.
Me: Never better.
Tossing my phone back on the table, I give my attention back to Courtney.
It’s a project I’ve been meaning to get to, to finish the basement, but I haven’t had time. But when it gets colder, and I get laid off, that’s my plan to knock it out. A few cases of beer and some pizzas and my brothers and I can have it done in no time at all.