Chapter 57 Jada
As promised, Bryce scheduled a date with me for Tuesday after work. When I clocked out, I walked through the front sliding door to see Bryce leaning up against the back of the town car, waiting for me.
Today his suit was a dark charcoal with a black shirt and tie underneath.
Glasses shielded his eyes from the sun, but they couldn’t dim his smile at the sight of me.
Pushing up from the car, he approached me on the sidewalk, wrapping his arms around me and kissing me so thoroughly I forgot there were people walking by.
“Hi to you too,” I said breathlessly when he pulled back.
He smiled, giving me one more chaste kiss. “Just happy to see you,” he told me.
“Me too,” I admitted, getting into the car when he opened the door for me.
Gen smiled back at me. “How was your day, hon?”
I smiled. “Pretty good, except this is my third shirt.” The spit-up gods decided I was the ultimate target, apparently. “How about you?”
“First shirt, so I’d say pretty good.” She smirked.
I chuckled, scooting over so Bryce could get in.
We sat in the back seat, holding hands on the way to a restaurant. My engagement ring shimmered on my hand, catching each bit of light that filtered in through the tinted windows.
When the car slowed, I looked outside, but my eyebrows drew together. I’d been so lost in thought I hadn’t realized we weren’t in a commercial district at all. We were going through wrought-iron gates that slid apart of their own accord.
“Where are we?” I asked. “Is this a private restaurant?”
Bryce wore a small smile on his lips. “I have something to show you.”
Giddy excitement worked through me. I loved surprises.
So when Gen stopped the car, I was eager to get out and see what Bryce had in store.
But when I got out and was hit with cold December wind, I froze, not because of the temperature, but because of the for-sale sign sticking up in the front lawn.
Bryce reached for my hand and easily twined his fingers with mine. “This house just came on the market,” he said, gesturing at it with his free hand. It had a gorgeous wraparound front porch, light-yellow siding, and bright white shutters on each window.
The landscaping out front was simple but beautiful too, and I imagined how it would come to life in the spring and summer. Even this late in the year, it was full of color with different types of shrubs and trees designed to add vibrant hues throughout the winter.
“I thought we were planning tonight?” I asked him. “I thought maybe we would talk about adding a guesthouse to your property or something?”
But he shook his head. “I got to thinking, and if you come and live with me, you’d be joining me in my home. Of course you’d be welcome, but when we get married, I want it to be our home, our life together.”
My heart swelled at the words, and I settled a hand where my baby girl rested.
“Let me show you the best part,” he said.
Eager to see what he meant, I followed him around the side of the house to the expansive backyard, where a small cottage stood proudly next to a fenced-in glittering pool and hot tub.
Bryce gestured to the cottage. “If you ever wanted Glamma to live with us, or if she needed more help, she could make this her home. She’d be right here, but have her freedom too. ”
My heart burst at those words, holding so much love. “You want to get all of this... for me?”
He rested his hand over mine on my stomach. “For us.” He pulled me into a hug, and I let him hold me as I looked at the home.
Emotion welled up, rising in an acidic heap that no amount of swallowing or deep breaths could keep down. I was grateful, but there was something else too.
Bryce must have noticed my change in demeanor, because he stepped back, giving me a concerned look. “Should we go inside?”
I tilted my head, reaching for his hand. “Bryce, I appreciate you going to this effort, I do...” My words trailed off. How did you tell your fiancé that he was being too nice? Too kind? Where did one draw the line? Baby gear? A boutique? An entire house?
“It’s too much, isn’t it?” he asked. He rubbed his hand over the back of his neck, looking at the house.
I winced.
He shook his head, pulling me into a hug as he continued looking at the house. “I was thinking about our date for today, so I got on my phone and was just scrolling houses on MyHome.”
“As one does,” I teased.
He chuckled, his chest lifting against mine. “Well, I saw this one and instantly thought how perfect it would be for us.”
My lips lifted. “It’s sweet, it is, but when you just sweep in with all your money, you take my choices away.”
When I shifted in his arms so I could see his expression, I spotted a frown. “I... I never realized I was doing that.”
“I know you didn’t mean to, but I’ve never been house shopping before. I’ve only ever watched it on TV. I don’t want to miss out on the process.”
Now his features really sagged. “Shit, you’re right.”
“You didn’t, um... you didn’t buy it yet, did you? Because if you did, I’m happy with it, you know, but if you didn’t, then—”
Chuckling, he pulled me back tighter to him. “I haven’t bought it. Don’t worry, we can go to the restaurant and talk through our plans, get a new account on the MyHome app, whatever you want.” He pulled apart from me, going toward the car to open the back door, but I stayed where I was.
“Well, we don’t have to go quite yet.” With a small smile, I tilted my head toward the door. “What’s the harm in looking around?”
He grinned, coming back toward me. “Let’s give it a look. Together.”