Pressing a kiss to the tip of his nose, I say, “I love you.”
EPILOGUE
Grady Wilde
One Year Later
Walking through the double doors at Powder Ridge, I grip the backpack that’s slung over my shoulders as I book it to my car.God, it is really coming down outside.I’ve only been here for a few hours, but the sun that was shining when I got here is long gone, replaced with dark clouds and a downpour. By the time I make it to my car—which I so conveniently parked in the back of the parking lot—I’m soaked. Tossing my backpack in the passenger seat, I turn on the car and crank the heat.
My phone rings as I’m waiting for the car to warm up. Grabbing it out of my pocket, a smile tugs on my lips before I hit accept.
“Hey, sexy.”
The gruff sound of Boone’s laugh reaches my ears, and it sends a thrill down my spine. “Hey, are you still at the arena?”
“I’m in the parking lot warming up my car. Why?”
“If I send you my location, can you meet me where I’m at?”
I laugh. “Uh, sure?”
“Okay, I’ll text it to you. Hurry.”
“Have you seen outside? It’s a monsoon. I’ll do my best.”
“You’ll be fine, baby,” he quips. “Drive safe. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
I hang up the phone with a goofy grin on my face. The same one I always get when Boone tells me he loves me. It’s been a little over a year since we said it for the first time, and sometimes, it still doesn’t feel real.
After I plug the address Boone gave me into my phone’s GPS, I’m on my way. It’s about a seven-minute drive from the arena, but in the opposite way of the house. Confusion furrows my brow as I arrive at the location he gave me, finding it’s a house. I park beside his truck in front of the two-car garage and climb out. It’s still pouring, so I hurry up toward the covered porch.
It doesn’t look like anybody else is here unless they’re parked in the garage. Bringing my fist up, I knock on the front door, glancing around at my surroundings.Why did he bring me here?The door opens, and it’s Boone who’s standing in front of me with a huge grin on his face.
“What are we doing here?” I ask as I step over the threshold. It’s an empty house, and it’s clear nobody lives here. My stomach flutters as I look at Boone questioningly.
“Why do you think we’re here?” he retorts, humor lacing his unhelpful question.
“I don’t know.” It’s a lie. In fact, I’m pretty sure Idoknow why he asked me here, but like hell if I’m going to admit that. I want him to spell it out for me.
We walk through the house, Boone leading and me following. It’s beautiful. Spacious, open concept, tons of natural light. I just know it’s gorgeous in here when it’s sunny.
“Well, you know how our lease is up soon?”
“Yeah…”
“So, I’ve been looking for houses because we’ve talked about eventually wanting to buy instead of rent,” he goes on. “I want something close to the arena, but still in the country, so we can have land and space to breathe. Being near Suzy’s school is important too, but also something big enough for her to have her own room, and also maybe big enough to have an office.”
My heart gallops as we enter the kitchen. Updated, modern appliances, a giant window over the sink that overlooks the huge backyard. “Office?” I ask.
He glances at me, a glint of excitement in his dark eyes. “Yeah, you know, for your photography setup.”
I couldn’t hide the smile on my face, even if I tried. My stomach does a round of somersaults as my throat tightens. “What are you saying?”
“I was thinking…” Boone stops walking and faces me, bringing his warm, rough hand up to cup my cheek. “If you liked this house, maybe we could put an offer in on it.” His gaze bounces between my wide eyes and my lips that have parted with surprise. “What do you think?”
My chest warms at the faintest hint of nervousness coming over Boone’s features. I don’t know what to say… He saw this house online, came to look at it, and envisionedme… uswhile doing it.
