He nods in response and puts the truck in drive.
CHAPTER 39
I THOUGHT YOU DIDN’T LIKE DOGS.
Blair
The nerves from hours ago are now a distant memory as we ride the dirt road back to Barlow Drive. I don’t even want to think about what I would be feeling right now if things didn’t go the way they did. If he didn’t believe that I was staying.
Turning onto our road, the sky transforms instantly from day to night as a soft glow from the setting sun illuminates behind the mountains in the distance. It’s magical how the sky can transform in an instant here.
Griffin pulls into my driveway, exiting the truck without turning it off and quickly rounding the hood to open the door for me.
Confusion washes over me as to why he didn’t turn it off.
I stand there, wondering what his plans are.
Grinning and taking my hand in his, he lifts it to his mouth and presses a kiss to the back of my hand. “Get your stuff,” he says.
My eyes narrow. “What stuff?”
“Whatever you want. All of it. Load it in the truck,” he rattles off in rapid succession.
“Are you sending me a text message?” I laugh.
“A what?”
“It means you’re making no sense, the way your texts make no sense.”
He barks out a laugh.
I will never tire of hearing this man laugh. From believing he was just my grumpy next-door neighbor to this. It’s a total one-eighty I will never get used to but crave. I want to hear him laugh, watch him smile, and everything in between.
Stepping closer to him, I keep my hand in his and bring my other to his chest as I lift my head to keep our eyes locked.
“I love you,” I tell him again. It feels so good rolling off my tongue.
He leans down, pressing a kiss to my lips. “I love you too, sweetheart. Now go get your things.”
“I’m still not understanding. Are you asking me to grab a change of clothes because you want me to stay the night at your place?”
His features soften as he removes my hand from his.
Cupping my cheeks, he angles my head higher to really look at him. His eyes bounce between mine as if he’s making sure I understand whatever he’s about to say.
“I want you to grab all your clothes, all your things.” His thumb caresses my cheek. “I don’t just want you to stay the night. I want you to stay for good.”
I take a step back out of his hold, shocked at what he’s saying right now.
“But my tiny home.”
His smile widens. “We can keep it as it is, or we can ask Nan to put it back on the market.”
“But—”
“I know this is rushing it. It feels weird for me too,” he cuts me off. “But, Blair, listen to me closely when I say this…” He pauses, erasing the space I just put between us. “I love you. I know with certainty that I want you in my life until it’s time to put me in the ground. I want you in my bed with me every night, because I want you close. Ineedyou close.”
My stomach surges with warmth and emotion.
