Chapter 36 #2
“Well, I’ll wrap it up for you,” she says with a warm smile. “Save you the trouble.”
“Thank you,” I say, relieved.
As we step away, Violet nudges me. “So, are you staying the night?”
I shoot her a sideways glance. “Why do you ask?”
“You know why.”
“I’m staying for the weekend, actually.”
Her eyes widen. “The whole weekend? You’re leaving your mom.”
“She insisted.” I feel a flutter of guilt mixed with excitement.
Violet grabs my arm, grinning. “This is huge. When’s the last time you took a whole weekend for yourself?”
I can’t even remember.
“Well, it’s about time you had some fun,” she says, squeezing my hand.
I smile but don’t respond. The thought of spending the weekend with Adrian, settling into his new space together, feels quietly perfect.
I grab a bottle of wine to go with the gift before heading back home to get ready. I dress in baggy blue jeans and a soft sweater. I don’t want to dress up; I want to be comfortable. Sneakers on, hair in a ponytail, I throw my small bag over my shoulder, clutch the gifts, and head out.
“Mom, let me know if you need me,” I say. Atlas is sprawled across the living room floor watching TV, but I catch Jasper’s curious eyes. “I’m staying at Adrian’s tonight,” I add, and Hazel grins knowingly, while Sofia and Felix barely look up.
She gives me a motherly look and nods.
I drive to Adrian’s, following the GPS through tree-lined streets I’ve never been down before.
When I turn onto his block, I slow down, taking it in.
His place is a brick house with the porch light on, showing off the double timber doors.
After I park, I get out and walk up to the front door, which feels different now that I know he’s staying permanently.
But before I even reach ’it, my phone rings.
Lowering the gifts to the step, I pull out my phone from my pocket. “Hello?”
“Hi, this is Mya from Lincoln Media.”
I straighten, my heart pounding. “Oh, hi. How are you?”
“I’m great,” she says warmly. “I just wanted to call and thank you for that article. It was incredibly well-detailed and impressive. I can’t believe you put it together so fast.”
Excitement fills my veins. “Oh, wow. Thank you.”
“We would be honored to have you work with us.”
I freeze. “Really?”
“Yes,” she says. “When would you be able to start?”
My brain scrambles to catch up. “Uh, this week is my final week at my current job. After that, I’d be free to start.”
“Perfect,” she says. “I’ll send over the contract, along with the list of equipment you’ll need.”
“The equipment?”
“Yes. We provide our remote employees with everything. A desk, chair, laptop, and stationary. The paperwork will lay it all out for you, but if you have any questions, you have my number and email.”
Adrian’s door opens, and he steps out, frowning. Silently picking up the wine and gift.
“That’s…” My words catch, and I feel my knees go weak. “Amazing. Thank you.”
The call ends, and I walk into Adrian’s place, my whole body buzzing, barely able to contain my excitement.
“Who was that?” he asks, lowering the stuff on the island.
“I got the job.”
Smiling brightly, he closes the distance between us and lifts me off my feet, spinning me around. “I knew it. I’m so proud of you.” When he lowers me, his hands cup my cheeks.
“They’re sending me all the stuff to work from home,” I say, still processing. “But I don’t know if that’ll work long term. I might need to find a space.”
Adrian’s hands move to my hips. “Why don’t you just work here?”
“What?”
“I have a spare room. We can set it up as your office. If they’re sending everything, it makes sense.
You’d be here during the day, and let’s be honest, you’re practically going to be living here anyway.
” The idea sends a thrill through me, but it’s quickly replaced by uncertainty.
What would that mean for my family? I’ve always been there to help Mom, but would working at his place, and then staying for dinner to sleeping over be too much?
I raise an eyebrow. “Oh? Is that so?”
A slow smirk tugs at his lips as he moves his face to my neck. “Yeah. Now that I’ve found you, I don’t want to let you go.” His breath is ticklish against my ear. “I want as much time with you as I can get.”
My heart flutters, but I keep my tone even. “Well, in that case…” I reach over to grab his housewarming gift. “This is yours.”
He grins, taking it. “Should I be worried?”
“Just open it.”
As soon as he does, he bursts into laughter. “This is gold.”
I laugh too. “I thought it was pretty funny.”
“I love it.” He sets it down on the console and pulls me close. “And I love that you get me.”
I smile, resting my hands on his chest.
His eyes light up. “Let’s sit out on the deck and share a glass to celebrate your new job.”
We settle outside, a plate of snacks on hand, wineglasses resting on a new small wooden table between us. The December evening is cold but clear, and we’ve bundled up in coats. The sun is already set, and there’s only the sound of distant birds and the occasional rustle of dry leaves.
I sit back, watching the view, sipping the wine.
“Let’s grab a picture,” he says softly, pulling out his phone, shifting closer. We snap a few selfies.
I glance at the screen, at the way we look together, at how right this moment feels.
“Perfect.”
I meet his gaze. “It really is.”
Then his expression darkens, intense flickering behind his eyes.
“Come here,” he says.
The way he says it sends a shiver down my spine.
And I know I’m ready for what comes next.