Page 255 of Cross Check
I unlock the front door, pushing it open. Stepping into the foyer, I give her arm a gentle tug and bring her inside with me.
“What do you think about this space?”
“It’s beautiful.” Lia lifts her chin and admires the vaulted ceiling. “Are you asking my opinion because you think I should be an interior designer? I kind of like my coaching gig, Grant, and I’m pretty good at it.”
“I’m asking your opinion because I want to buy us—you—a house. This house, if you like it.”
Her hand covers her mouth. A piece of hair falls in her face, and she rests her cheek on my shoulder.
“You want to buy me a house?” she whispers, and I kiss the top of her head.
“Yeah, baby. You said you wanted a place where we didn’t have to hide, so I spent all summer trying to find somewhere that might be right.” I gesture around. “This feels right.”
“It feels very, very right,” Amelia says. The words crack, and she wipes her cheek. “Will you show me the rest of the house?”
We walk hand in hand to the living room and family room. I point out the dining room that seats twenty and the kitchen with enough counter space to bring in a whole culinary team. There’s a bedroom downstairs and four more upstairs, complete with a primary suite boasting a walk-in closet and a spa-like bathroom.
“Beautiful.” She touches the custom shelves in the closet. “Plenty of room for all my heels.”
“There’s an acre of land between the houses on both sides, and the property sits on eight acres.” I lead her to the floor-to-ceiling window in the bedroom that overlooks grass as far as the eye can see. “The backyard has a pool, outdoor kitchen, and a hot tub. And do you see that?”
“What?” Lia stands on her toes, her nose pressed against the glass. “If you tell me we have sheep and goats, I’m going to cry all over again.”
“No animals, but plenty of room for them.” I tap the window and point to the back left corner. “There’s a pond over there. It’s shallow, so it’ll freeze in the winter. We’d have our own hockey rink right at home. No need to pick an arena to skate in.”
“Grant.” She rests her hand at the base of my spine. There’s a tremble to her touch, the press of her fingers a sign of the emotions she’s holding in. “I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t need to say anything. It’s a big step, and I’m springing it on you. I haven’t put in an offer, and I never would without you fully being onboard with this plan. I see a future with you, Lia. A long, exciting future, but we can—”
“Yes.” Her lips twitch. “Yes, Grant.”
“Yes?”
“Yes to the house, to living together. Yes to anything and everything. I don’t care what it is. I want to do it with you.”
“Fuck.” I sweep her off her feet, laughing when she buries her face in my neck. “Are you sure?”
“You want to buy me a house, and I love you.” She smiles against my cheek, the curve of her smile pressed right into my skin. “I’m really, really sure.”
“I love you too.” I set her down, a laugh bursting out of me. “Holy shit. Are we really going to do this?”
“You’re in. I’m in. We’re doing this.” Lia takes my hand. “Show me the dining room again. I want to imagine what it will be like when it’s filled with all of our family and friends.”
I lead her to the stairs with her hand in mine.
I don’t know who decided I was the lucky one that would end up with this life, but I wish I could thank them. I’m starting another season with my favorite guys. I have the best girl by my side and a future to look forward to together.
I was wrong before.
This is as good as it gets. It’s all I’ve ever wanted, and standing in the dining room with its wood beams and natural light, I know home isn’t a place. It’s a person, and Lia is mine.
EIGHTY
GRANT
OCTOBER, THIS SEASON
I closed on the house three weeks ago.
