Chapter 35
35
One month later
Tuesday, May 27th
“ A re you ready to meet my friends?” I ask, glancing over at Anna in my truck as we head to Jake’s post Memorial Day dinner party. She looks beautiful in a short, flowy sundress and a little tan on her skin.
“Yes.” She smiles over, and I grab her hand, kissing her wrist with the bunny bracelet. “Did you wear a baseball hat just for me?”
I wink at her. “Did you wear that sundress just for me?” I rake my eyes down her, admiring Anna, before returning my gaze to the road. When we pull up to Jake’s house, I take a breath. “Alright, quick rundown—Jake’s the firefighter I told you about. I’m not really feeling the girl he’s been dating for the last month.”
“Why?”
“Jake’s so cool and interesting, and she … breathes air.”
“Chad,” Anna scolds.
“Well, you’ll see what I mean.” I hesitate, considering the dynamics tonight. “Nicholas and Emily will be there, and so will Chris and Lauren. Chris and Lauren are going through a rough patch, and with Nicholas and Emily all happily coupled up, it might get … interesting.”
“Have I been briefed enough, or can we go inside?” Anna raises a brow.
I reach over, cupping her jaw and kissing her deeply. “We don’t have to stay long. I know the past few days have been crazy for you.”
“I think Memorial Day was busier for you.”
“Highest rental volume in the company’s history.”
Hand in hand, we walk to Jake’s door, and everything feels perfect. She stops me with a look. “Are you going to let yourself in?”
I pause, a little surprised. “Should I knock?”
She nods, and I swat her playfully, coaxing her forward. “Get inside.”
Inside, she slips off her shoes and glances around Jake’s open, modern living room. “I love this house.”
“More than mine?” I tease, nudging her.
“Definitely not.”
“Don’t let me forget. We need to talk to Jake about your lease.”
“You’re silly.”
“I’m obsessed with you,” I whisper as we walk toward the back of the house where the group is gathered.
Jake is standing at the open refrigerator. I give him a quick nod. “Jake, this is Anna.”
“Unit 104,” Jake says, reaching out to shake her hand. “Nice to meet you. Hope you weren’t too freaked out by me giving Chad your apartment number.”
“I think it worked out alright.”
I laugh softly, loving her sense of humor. “So … her lease is up in August.”
“Dude, are you guys moving in together already?”
“Chad wishes.” Anna giggles, glancing up at Jake. “Would it be possible to move to a month-to-month lease in August?”
“Ahh …” Jake hesitates, looking between Anna and me. “I don’t usually offer that since no one moves into apartments in the winter … but anything for my man Chad.”
I wrap my arm around Anna’s shoulders. “I’ll have her out of there before winter.” Leaning down, I kiss her temple. “Six months is October,” I whisper, and she leans into me.
“Can we help with anything?” Anna asks, and I give her waist a little squeeze, unable to resist.
Obsessed is an understatement. Our road trip and long weekend in South Haven, Michigan, two weeks ago was fucking perfect. Anna is absolutely the one. I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.
I’ve spent every free second with her over the past month. I briefly met her sister Megan and nephew Cam a few days ago and can’t wait to get to know her family better. I also can’t wait for her to meet mine soon.
“Chad,” Anna says, nudging me.
“What?”
“Are you going to help me with these trays?”
“Oh, sorry … I was thinking about something.” I grab the meat and cheese platter from the kitchen counter.
As we head out to the backyard, she teases, “You’re going to propose to me on Halloween, aren’t you?”
Smiling, I lean in. “I bet your crazy ass would love that.”
She smirks. Her crazy ass would love that. That’s the plan now. Halloween it is.
“Where’s Cassy?” I ask, setting the tray on the picnic table in Jake’s backyard.
“No more Cassandra.”
I don’t know what to say. It’s not like they were serious.
“Anna,” Emily’s voice breaks the silence. “Sit next to me. I’d love to get to know the girl who has Chad acting like a fully formed adult.”
“Ha!” I laugh. I never really knew Emily growing up but am getting to know her through Nicholas. She’s great.
The girls chat for a while as I catch up with my friends.
“Another beer?” Jake asks.
“All set.”
“More wine, Anna?”
Anna flashes me a look. What’s she thinking? She stands, moving toward me.
“I’ll bring a bottle from the fridge after I go to the bathroom,” she says, standing behind me and turning my hat backward.
Little bunny!
Watching Anna walk inside, I can’t fumble this opportunity. She wants a quickie, and she’s getting one.