Page 69 of Unhurried Hearts

“I have an idea that could solve problems for multiple people,” I say, standing next to her as I take in the state of the house in front of us.

“Go on…”

“Move in with me into this house.”

“What?” Her head whips around to look at me. “That’s crazy!”

“It’s really not. Hell, Ashlyn and Isaac lived together from day one.”

“Against her will!”

I bark a laugh. “You know full well Ashlyn hasn’t done a damn thing in her life against her will.”

I grab hold of her hips, sliding my hands beneath her windbreaker to pop my hands in her back pockets, warming them.

“Ashlyn and Isaac were totally different. She worked for his family as a live-in nurse.”

I scoff. “You can work for me.”

“Doing what?

“You can be my live in—”

She narrows her eyes. “Christopher. Beverycareful about how you finish that sentence.”

I cup my hands on either side of her head. “Hairdresser, sweetheart. Live-in hairdresser.”

“I own my condo, Chris. I’d have to sell it.” She reaches up to hold my wrists.

My heart beats faster. She’s not turning this idea down right off the bat.

“Good. Or rent it out if you want.”

“And what about your place? You’re not going to give any notice to Berg?”

“He could get another tenant in two seconds in that neighbourhood. But, um…”

The sand shifts beneath my boots as he shuffles around nervously.

“What did you do?”

“I might have offered it to my sister…”

Her eyes go round but there’s a smile on her lips. “That’s sweet, Chris.”

“I’m a sweet guy. Hence why you should move into this place with me.” I tip my head toward the bungalow.

“This is crazy.”

“No, it’s not. Do you want to know why this is right?”

She nods, hair swirling around her face, looking so damn pretty with rosy wind-whipped cheeks.

“Because I’m not scared at all. Not a good scared or a bad scared. Just…happy. Excited.”

I can barely keep a lid on the level of excitement. Keeping my mouth shut the last week while Isaac and I made this sale happen was next-level difficult. Even driving here and walking down the beach I had to press my lips together to keep from spilling.

“That house looks like it needs work.”

---