Page 47 of Confusing Hearts

Collette was waiting in the parking lot when we arrived at the address she had texted me.

“Wonderful, wonderful, you're both here. Thought for a moment you were going to stand me up,” she said dramatically.

“Collette, this is Jenna. Jenna, this is our realtor.” I quickly made the introductions.

The ladies seemed to size each other up. Jenna felt tense, and Collette seemed disappointed. I wondered briefly what the two women saw in each to cause those reactions, but I didn't dare ask. I had sisters, I knew better than to get in the way of a female territorial dispute.

I put my arm around Jenna's shoulders and pulled her to me, kissing her temple. “You ready to go buy a house?”

She took a deep, calming breath. “I'm ready.”

Collette seemed to snap out of whatever her issue was upon hearing that. Clearly dollar signs won.

On the ride up to the lawyer’s office, I wanted to make sure we were all set. “No surprises, right? You had no issues drawing up the amended files to include Jenna?”

“Everything is written exactly as you requested. The owners have already signed their part. This is truly just a formality. The cabin and all thirty-three acres are yours.”

The process went quickly, the papers were signed, and we were soon shaking hands and being congratulated as keys and copies of the documents were being thrust our way.

“How about an early lunch to celebrate?” I asked, including Collette in the offer.

“Sorry, I have another closing in ten minutes. It was nice to meet you, Jenna,” she said a little coldly, shaking my girl's hand. “And Chase, as always, the pleasure is all mine.”

I laughed. “Sure it is, but really, thanks for everything Collette.”

We said another round of goodbyes in the parking lot and I opened the door for Jenna to get in, but she turned and hugged me, pressing her lips briefly to mine.

“This is insane, you know that, right?”

“What?” I asked innocently.

“A house? Chase, we're homeowners!” she squealed in delight and I knew that there was absolutely nothing in this world I wouldn't give or do for this woman to keep her that happy forever.

We drove over towards the mall to grab some lunch. It was nice being able to touch Jenna, put my arm around her waist as we walked in, or hold her hand, waiting on our order without concern that someone would see us and say something.

With our stomachs full we headed off for Walmart, the big supercenter kind. I figured we could probably find most things we needed for the house there. Jenna was adorable with how excited she was to shop together for our home. It warmed my heart watching her and knowing it was the start of our life together.

I grabbed a cart and immediately turned towards the home goods section, while she made an abrupt left for pharmacy and personal care. I raised an eyebrow at her in question.

“First things first. There is no soap or shampoo at the house. I can't even believe I'm out in public looking like this,” she said, holding up a strand of her hair in disgust.

I laughed. She looked gorgeous to me, but if it meant that much to her, conditioner here we come.

I watched her fill the cart with all her favorite products before asking me what my preferences were. We stocked up on not just soap and shampoo, but deodorant, toothbrushes, and more toothpaste than I thought we'd consume in a year. I teased her, causing her to blush.

When she was certain we had enough to survive, because, you know, the store was only ten minutes from the house, so who knew when we'd get back there, we headed towards home goods.

“Did you take inventory of what was in the kitchen?” she asked.

“Not really. There are some mismatched dishes and small appliances. I'm sure it's enough to get by on, but we can donate whatever you don’t want and buy new,” I assured her.

She bit her bottom lip, causing my body to stir. I couldn't help it. She was mine now, and I didn't hesitate as I leaned in and sucked her lip out of her mouth and into mine. She was breathless and her cheeks were heated when I pulled back. She quickly looked around to see if anyone had seen us before smacking me playfully and scolding me about PDA.

I laughed at her as I grabbed two toasters off the shelf, one in black, one in stainless steel.

“Decision time,” I said, juggling them back and forth. “Pick a toaster.”

She surprised me by reaching for the black one.

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