Page 116 of Surrender

“When you came to town, your plans fell apart, and I took you into my home. Right from the get-go, we skipped a bunch of steps.”

I swallow hard. “Okay.” My voice is filled with nervous anticipation.

“My house is too small for the four of us.” He grips the knob of the first room on the left and pushes the door open. “I think it’s time we make things right,” he says carefully.

I can’t focus on the space around me as his words sink in. My heart flutters painfully in my chest.

He gently ushers me into the bedroom with a hand on my lower back. Pale pink paint coats the walls, and a small bed overflowing with plushies is pushed against the far wall.

“Do you want us to move out?”

I spin to face him with my heart in my throat.

Jack frowns. “Look behind you, Whitney.”

He presses his chest against my back as I twist around. His warmth seeps into my jacket and settles some of my nerves.

Across the room, on the wall above the bed, is a wooden sign that I missed at first glance. The name Lucy is carved into it.

“I thought we could all move out. Together.” His lips brush my ear as his breath fans against my neck.

My breath hitches in surprise.

“Of course, I’m ready to buy this place outright if that’s okay with you.”

“You want to buy a house with me?”

That was probably the dumbest question, but as he pointed out, we did skip a lot of steps. Even though we went straight to living with one another, I had figured Jack would need some time to stay in that stage before we moved on to the next one.

I begin a mental tally of my savings account. I’d be able to put up some money for a down payment, but not as much as I’d like to contribute. Certainly not half.

The life insurance company completed an investigation last month, and thanks to a deposition, bank statements, and sworn affidavits from Devon and me, I was able to return the money to them and avoid any charges.

“I told you I want to spend my life with you.”

I guess I might have been wrong. Jack doesn’t need any extra time.

“I don’t want you to feel like you have to move fast,” I reply.

Those gray eyes heat as he gazes down at me, churning with a storm. “I don’t think there’s such a thing as too fast with you. If anything, we’re not moving fast enough.”

The grit in his voice sends my pulse tripping over itself. I search his face, seeing nothing but the love and adoration he’s shown me over the past few months.

“This house is beautiful. It’s big too.”

He brushes his thumb along my jaw. “I figured we could fill it together. It might take some time, though. If you’re up to it?”

With Lucy snug in his arms and Bennett content in mine, I rise on my toes and kiss him.

“I’m up for anything with you.”

* * *

Two weeks later, I walk into our newly furnished rental after work, looking for Jack and the kids. We stopped using the daycare center after Devon took them for my peace of mind. At least that was what we told everybody.

But it was really Jack who put his foot down.

Between him, his family, and Bree’s babysitter, Scarlett, we have all the hours covered when I need to work. With a few leftover so the two of us can go on a weekly date.

---