Page 46 of Simply Irresistible
“You’ll figure it out. Just take your time and decide what works best for you and what makes the most sense for the long term. You’ll want an idea that will stay fresh and stretch across time. Don’t give away all your secrets at once.”
“Thanks, babe.”
“Of course,” she smiled, then picked up her iPad and continued working.
Ever since she returned from Paris, we spent our nights together. Either she stayed at my place or I stayed at her place. Neither apartment was large enough for two people, and we really needed to have a conversation about that. I was ready to take that next step with Mel. I loved spending time with her and sharing our small spaces, but I wanted us to have something better. With what we were each spending on our tiny rooms, we could probably afford a studio or a one bedroom.A bedroom with a door, I mused,what was that even like?
“Do you want to move in together?”
Melanie froze.
I froze.
I hadn’t meant to say that aloud. I mean, I meant what I asked, but I didn’t mean to ask it. Not right at that moment at least. I didn’t regret it though. It was what I wanted. I hoped it was what she wanted, too.
“Yes,” she finally said. The word cutting through the silent space.
“What?” I asked, my eyes darting to her. “You do?”
“Yeah, I do.”
“Really?”
She laughed. “Yes, really. Did you think I’d say no?”
I laughed, relieved that my little mistake hadn’t blown up in my face. “I hoped you’d say yes. I was just thinking about it, and the question popped out. I hadn’t meant to ask you right this moment, but I meant the question.”
“I’ve been thinking about it, too.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I love being with you. And we’re together all the time anyway.”
“Right.”
“It just makes sense.”
“It does.”
“This is so romantic.”
“We’ll have some cake and champagne later. I’ll even buy you flowers,” I told her as I moved our electronic devices off the bed.
“Oooh, daisies?”
“Whatever you’d like,” I said, rolling on top of her. “We’re moving in together.”
“Yes,” she said, smiling. “We sure are.”
“This is going to be so much fun.”
***
Melanie and I went to one of our favorite breakfast spots the following morning on our way to work. We’d begun taking overnight bags to each other’s place instead of one of us rushing home to get ready in the morning before work. It sucked that we didn’t have the space to store things at each other’s apartments but planning ahead and taking an overnight bag worked just as well.
For now, at least. Soon we’d be moving in together.
In the light of day, I wasn’t as nervous as I thought I’d be. I was excited about starting this new chapter with Mel. We’d need to work some things out, like when our lease terms ended and what we could afford with our salaries. But for now, we got to ride the high of deciding to take this monumental relationship step.
