Page 131 of Down Shift (Driven 8)
“It’s not the house that matters to you. It’s what it represents to you. It was your sanctuary when you first ran. Then it was your proof that you were making it on your own. And for me . . . for me it’s my very first memory of you in that hall back there, naked except for those socks, and wielding that mini-blind wand,” he says with a smile as he points to where the wand sits as a memento on one of the new shelves.
“I know the next step for us is hard for you. You may not say it, Getty, but you’re afraid still. Fearful that if you move in with me, you’re giving away everything you’ve gained back. You said it yourself in the car—this is who you are. The island. The sea. The town. And so I wanted to give you this. This place is your security. A promise that you’ll always have this home you created for yourself no matter what happens between us.”
His hands reach up to frame my face in that way of his that’s strong but tender and tells anyone watching that I’m his and he’s going to kiss me soon.
“This is incredible, Zander, but it’s just too much. It’s not a cell phone this time. . . . It’s a house.” I’m dumbfounded. My mind is skipping over every other thought, because I’m so overwhelmed by his love and that he’d do something so meaningful. “A gorgeous house, but a house nonetheless.”
“You’re right.” His chuckle rings around the room but warms my soul, my heart, and any part of me left untouched by the beauty of this man in front of me. “She is beautiful. She was broken and bruised at first, but with a lot of patience and some hands-on attention, I think I was able to bring out the beauty that was hiding beneath it all. The real her.”
My eyes swim with tears. He’s talking about so much more than just the house.
“And since she’s your house now, I think it’s fitting you complete the final item on her to-do list.”
I stare at him in wonder, heart swelling, as he pulls out a pad of paper from the drawer behind him and hands it to me.
Repair List
Gut House and Rebuild
Build Getty a Studio
Keep the Ugly Pink Handrail
Have Sex with Kiss the Repair Guy
MARRY the REPAIR GUY
My breath hitches when I read the last item on the list. My eyes flash up to meet Zander’s. And every single thing I want to say fades at the look of absolute love on the face of the man in front of me.
“You don’t have to run anymore, Getty. Not from me. Not from your past. But I understand you need to have a place of your own. A safe haven you can run to if needed. And like you, I know what I need. And I need you with me. Not just to move in. Not on a part-time basis. But in my life permanently. I want to make a life with you. Not because I want to control you or have you decorate my arm, but because you brought me back to life, Getty. You make me live. You make me feel. You make me laugh. You make me want tomorrows and sunsets and forevers when I never even thought twice about any of them before. And I only want them with you. I want to come back here often. In the off-season. On vacations. Bring our kids here someday—show them that god-awful pink railing and tell them about how sometimes you need to give someone a second chance because they are worth it. I want to sit on that deck and listen to the ocean while telling them the PG story of how you and I met. And someday I want to grow old here with you.”
The sob catches in my throat. How can it not when he’s creating memories so real I can feel them? So clear I can see them.
“You see, for so long I’ve feared the damn white squall. Being pulled under by its water . . . and then I realized how stupid I was, because you’re my water. The one thing I can’t live without. I want to marry you, Getty. I want years filled with kisses and memories and laughter and love and patience like only you can give me. And I want to give the same to you. You are my truth now. So just jump with me, Socks. Leap without looking, because I promise I’ll be there to catch you no matter how far the fall.”
I look at him—this incredible man, inside and out—and am reminded of my motto from what feels like forever ago: Carpe diem. Hell yes, I’m seizing the moment, so long as I can seize the man.
I laugh out loud. Grab his neck and pull him toward me so I can pour everything I feel and can’t express into the kiss. Show him with actions.
“Is that a yes?” he asks, eyes hopeful as he pulls out a box from his back pocket and opens it. Inside rests a diamond infinity band. It’s simple and subtle and exactly what I’d pick for myself.
And the sight of the ring makes this real. Makes his words and his intent and everything he just said hit home in an even bigger way.
“Yes. No. I don’t know.”
His eyes widen in shock. Just for a moment. But my smile tells him the real answer. “Cute. Very cute, but this time you only get to pick one answer.”
“Only one?”
“And here starts the questions to the questions,” he says, laughing and shaking his head.
My heart bursts with love for this man standing before me. With belonging, with everything I’ve never had, and I wonder how all this happened. How this scared, gun-shy woman fell in love with this incredible, generous man.
And the answer’s simple.
His love roared loader than my demons.
And he made me want to be found again.
