"Chase ran into the guy who got it in your place," he said. "But forgetthem.Why didn't you tell me?"
"You mean when it happened?" I blew out a nervous breath. "I dunno. Maybe I felt bad about the truck and figured that I couldn’t really complain after costingyousomething, too."
As the memories came flooding back, I tried to sort it out for myself. "Like right after it happened, when the police showed up, you didn't even try to get me in trouble. And I know you could've."
"But what about later?" he said. "Why didn't you tell me when we were together?"
"I tried," I said. "But it was such a sore subject, and we both had things to be sorry for. I mean,Ididn't like you bringing up what happened with the truck, so…" With a loose shrug, I finished by saying, "It just seemed better to let it go. Or at least, Itriedto let it go."
His gaze softened as he said, "But the lab explosion – it didn't just cost you the scholarship. It cost you the house, too."
I saw what he meant. And there was a time not too long ago when I would've agreed. But I had to be fair. "It wasn't just you," I said. "I'm sure there are things I could've done better, too. And besides, I never could've fixed up the house like you did." Now, I did smile. "And you know what?"
"What?"
"I'm glad you own it." I searched deep in my heart and realized that I truly meant it. I looked around, taking in how beautiful the place looked now.My grandparents would've loved it.
And I loved it, too.
But more than that, I loved the guy who'd made it happen. As I stared into his eyes, I couldn’t stop myself from saying, "I love you, Brody Blast."
His eyes warmed, and he smiled in a way that tugged at my heart. He was still smiling when he pulled me close and wrapped me in his arms just the way I liked.
Into my hair, he teased, "You were supposed to wait."
I laughed against his chest. "I didn't want to wait." As I spoke, I burrowed tighter against him.I never wanted to let go.The feel of him, the scent of him, the sound of him – all of it was like coming home to a place I'd been searching for my whole life.
And this had nothing to do with real estate.
Thinking of the camera crews, I asked, "Whereiseveryone, anyway?"
"Gone," he said.
"For how long?"
"Forever."
That word,forever– it soundedsogood on his lips. I smiled against him. "Are you sure? Like no one's gonna come back to reclaim an extension cord or something?"
"They can try," Brody said. "But they'll need permission first. The place is firmly off-limits. And you wanna know why?"
"Why?" I asked.
"Because the owner deserves some privacy."
I laughed. "Yes, you do."
"I don't mean me."
I pulled back to look at him. "What?"
"I mean you."
I blinked. "What are you saying? You're willing to sell it?"
He shook his head. "I was never willing to sell. But Iamgoing to make things right."
I smiled up at him. "They'realreadyright."
