Page 683 of Rock Me All Night
I nearly squeal. It's hard to maintain an even grip on the steering wheel. Somehow, I manage it. We stay on Lincoln/Pacific Coast Highway though Marina Del Rey. We're just into Venice Beach when Pete tells me to turn onto a side street.
What the hell is he up to? We're near Tom and Willow's place. Half a mile away, less even. Are we going to see them? It's possible. For a while, we take the route that would lead us to their house. Then we're turning south instead of north.
Not their place.
The streets are narrow and they're packed with cars. I give up on figuring out exactly what it is we're doing so I can focus on navigation. After a few turns, we're there.
Pete points to a reserved parking spot next to a black luxury car. No, it's a black Tesla.
It'shisblack Tesla.
And it's in front of a beautiful two-story house on the beach. It looks a lot like Tom and Willow's pace, only it's more rectangular, more modern. The walls are white, the roof is flat, the blue tinted windows are wide.
There are succulents everywhere. The gated garden is lined with them. And the balcony.
Pete laughs. "Of course you're looking at the cacti."
"I like them." I turn back to him. "That's your car."
He nods.
"So this…"
"It's ours."
It's ours. I practically jump out of the car. "Give me the keys."
He laughs again. "There are more cacti on the rooftop deck."
There's a rooftop deck.
And there's the beach. It's right there. Ten feet away. Less. The backyard is on the sand.
It's the last thing I wanted, a house on the beach. My eyes meet his. He smiles and nods.
He bought me a house on the beach.
I have everything I want.
He locks the car and leads me inside. It's beautiful and clean and furnished with just enough.
"There are three bedrooms. One is ours. One is your office. One is my practice room." He presses his lips to my forehead. "Of course, you're always welcome to listen."
I nod. It's still overwhelming. He bought me a car and a house on the beach. "This place looks expensive."
"Real estate is an investment."
That's true.
"I know what you'll say, Jess. You'll say it's mine. And you're partially right. According to the state of California, this place is mine." He stares into my eyes. "But the second we get married, then the state will recognize it's ours."
Pete's talking about getting married. Am I dead? Is this heaven? It doesn't seem possible for this to be happening.
"That something you want?" he asks.
"If you're proposing you better get down on one knee and pull out a giant rock."
He laughs. "Since when are you showy?"
