Saylor had spent the last few months talking to local businesses and offering her services. Kingston Construction was the first to hire her for marketing, and we’d kept her busy with a new campaign. She was overhauling our brand and even renovating the office to make it more inviting.
For now, she was busy enough with our business that she was only taking a handful of other clients, creating websites and revamping brands and logos. She was happy working for herself and creating her own hours just like I suspected she would be.
Tonight, we were supposed to go out with my family for dinner. I got out of my truck and met her on the porch.
I’d never get tired of coming home to Saylor. She was my girlfriend, but the title seemed trite compared to how I viewed her role in my life. She was so much more than that.
She was special, and I needed to do something about making her mine soon.
Saylor smiled as I approached. “I want to change. Then we can be on our way.”
My stomach rumbled. “Good, because I’m starved.”
She unlocked the door, and we stepped inside.
“Surprise!”
Saylor’s mouth dropped open as we took in our family and friends who’d been hiding in the dark, waiting for us to arrive.
There was a Congratulations banner hanging above the fireplace.
“What’s all this?” Saylor asked.
My heart was thumping hard.
Blaire approached with a smile. “I wanted to throw you a party.”
Saylor looked at me incredulously. “For what? It’s not our birthdays.”
It wasn’t even our anniversary.
Blaire held a box in her hand. “Open it.”
Our friends and family stood in the living room, waiting with bated breath for Saylor to carefully unravel the ribbon and open the lid. A key sat prominently inside.
Saylor’s brow furrowed. “What’s this?”
“It’s the key to the house.”
Hayden appeared at my side, and I pulled her into my other side. I scanned the room, seeing Saylor’s parents, my family, and all our friends.
“I don’t understand,” Saylor said, and that’s when I realized what was happening and tightened my grip on her shoulders.
Blaire smiled at her. “I’m giving you the beach house.”
“You’re giving it to us?” Saylor parroted.
“Well, I’m letting you buy it. It’s my retirement plan after all. But I don’t want to deal with renting it out anymore. I want you and Marshall to have it. Hayden loves it here.”
“We love it here,” I said squeezing Saylor’s shoulder.
“I wanted to throw you a party to celebrate the beach house being yours.”
Joy appeared at her side. “It’s also to welcome you officially to the island.”
Ivy approached with a file folder. “I have the sales agreement here. You can take your time to look it over, and we'll finalize it when you’re ready.”
I had a feeling the financial terms would be more than generous to us. But I’d make sure Blaire was fairly compensated. I didn’t want her worrying about money during retirement.
