Page 113 of Wine or Lose

“Yes, I’m sure,” I said with an eye roll.

“If you get me arrested for trespassing, I’m going to—”

“You’ll what, exactly? Spank me?”

“Maybe.”

“I’d let you if you asked nicely. It’s not like you haven’t before.”

We might be parents now, but the sex was as hot as ever. I was grateful for that too.

Cal boomed out a laugh, and my own mouth curved into a satisfied smirk.

Before Cal could say anything else, we reached the tree line and drove into the middle of a sizable plat of lakefront land. Straight ahead, the flat expanse gently sloped toward the beach and the waters of West Traverse Bay beyond.

And smack dab in the middle was a large, two-story home.

Ourhome.

The exterior was white-washed with black frames popping against the bright paint. There were windows everywhere, enough that I knew the entire interior would be bathed in natural light while the sun was up. To the left was a garage attached to the main house by a mudroom that had a small half bath with shower and a dog washing station for Skye.

The whole thing gave off modern beach cottage vibes, exactly as I’d intended.

“What is this?” Cal asked, shifting in his seat to look at me.

“Come on,” I said, getting out of the truck and heading to the back to carefully take Cora out of her car seat. I didn’t want to wake her, but I wanted the three of us to cross that threshold together.

With my daughter in one arm, I met Cal at the hood of the truck and extended my hand to him. Wordlessly, though I didn’t miss the confusion pinching his brows together, he laced his fingers through mine.

I led him up the steps of the wide wrap around porch, pausing in front of the heavy walnut door, pulling my hand free of his, and digging the key Delia had slipped me earlier from my pocket.

“Want to do the honors?” I asked, holding it out to him.

“Mar…”

“Just open it.”

Cal once again did as I asked, slowly inserting the key into the lock and twisting, shooting me a surprised glance when it clicked free. With a gentle shove, it swung open, and Cal gasped.

I decided then and there it was my favorite sound.

Who said only men could make grand gestures?

Before he crossed inside, Skye greeted us at the door, tail wagging excitedly, welcoming us to our new digs.

Cal turned to me again, settling his hands on my upper arms, and said in a quiet voice, “Tell me what the fuck is going on.”

“This is our house,” I said simply.

“How?”

“I had it built.”

“When?”

“Caaaaaaaaaal,” I said with an eye roll, dragging out his name in the way I knew reminded him of the spoiled party girl he’d thought I was for so long. “Can we save the twenty questions for later? Preferably after we’re inside? It’s freezing out here and, in case you didn’t notice, I’m holding your sleeping daughter.”

“Fine,” he said with an exasperated sigh, then took my hand again and towed me over the threshold.

---