Page 121 of Used

“I bought it.” She repeats.

I take a look around at the house again with its outdated everything.

“You bought this?”

“That’s what I said, Marshall.” She says frowning.

“But why?”

There’s a part of me that senses where she’s going with this, but I need her to say it.

I need to hear her tell me what she wants.

That she wants this.

With me.

“Why did you buy this house, Elsie,” I say, taking a step toward her and looking down into her piercing blue eyes.

“I... I...” She stutters.

“Tell me, princess,” I say with a smirk, which earns me a frown.

A battle occurs behind her eyes, and I see the moment that one side wins and declares itself the victor.

I can only hope it’s the side that is favorable to me.

“I want this.” She says slowly, glancing around at the house.

“And what is this?” I ask.

“I want...” She struggles. “Ugh. Just follow me.”

She turns on her heel, and it takes me a moment to register that she actually walked away from me before I’m able to process and get myself to move after her.

I follow her through the house and into the tiny breakfast nook that’s just off the kitchen, where there are two stacks of paperwork.

“It’s four bedrooms, three and a half baths. The front two rooms share a jack and jill. And there’s a hall bath that the other two share. The primary bedroom has an on-suite and walk-in closets.” She starts rambling as she rustles through sheets of paper. “The house was built....”

“Elsie, I don’t care when the house was built,” I say, taking her chin between my fingers and turning her to face me. “Tell me why you bought the house.”

Her face scrunches in an adorable pout.

“You’re gonna make me say all of it out loud, aren’t you?” She huffs.

“Yes. I am.”

“Fine.” She takes a breath, gathering herself. “I want this. I want the house and the kids and the whole stupid future you have envisioned for us.”

“Us?”

“Yes, us. I want a future with you. Us.”

Warmth builds in my chest, and I smile widely at her admission.

Reaching for her waist, I pull her into my body as close as she can with her baby bump.

“You want a future with me?” I ask.

---