29. Nixon

Chapter 29

Nixon

I move the roller over the last little bit of wall and breathe out a sigh of relief. I'm so tired of painting, but the house is looking better and better each day.

The master bedroom is now a soft gray and the bathroom is a pale blue. I went with a lavender color in one of the spare bedrooms, hoping one day it can be Savannah's space to do whatever she wants with it. I haven't decided what I want to do with the other two rooms, so I've kept those neutral colors. I'll paint them again if I need to in the future.

The rest of the house is a mixture of blues and grays, because I know they're Savannah's favorite colors. I even found some anchor decor to sprinkle around the house for her.

She doesn't know this yet, but when she gets home, I'm asking her to move in with me. I've already talked to Donny and Carla about it. I wanted to make sure they wouldn't have an issue with us living together, but they don't seem to mind at all.

Donny told me he expects to see a ring on Savvy's finger in one year. I told him he was crazy to think it's going to take me that long. I want to make her mine as quickly as I can. We've already spent so much time apart. I want her to know I'm serious about spending the rest of my life with her, nothing else matters.

My phone begins vibrating on the countertop and I quickly grab it, finding a picture of Savvy and I filling the screen.

"Hey, baby," I say as soon as her face appears on the screen.

"Hey, I miss you," she whispers, just like she does each time she calls.

"I miss you too. How much longer until you're officially home?"

"Four days," she groans. "What is all over your face?"

I glance at the section of the screen that shows my face and chuckle. I'm a mess when it comes to paint.

"It's paint. I almost have the house done. I've been working day and night."

"Don't push yourself too hard. You know I'll happily help when I get home."

"I know, but if we're working, I won't be able to cuddle with you on the couch."

"That is true." She chuckles and shakes her head.

"What? Why are you shaking your head?"

"I just… I wasn't happy when I came home for Thanksgiving. I couldn't explain why, but I wasn't happy at all. Then you bulldozed your way back into my life and now I'm happier than ever before."

"I'm glad, sweetheart. That's all I ever want in life."

"You're so adorable."

"I have to say, I don't think I've ever had a woman tell me I'm adorable." I chuckle.

"Well, they should!"

"Are you all packed up?" I push my hair out of my face and focus back on Savannah.

"Nixon! You're making it worse! How do you have so much paint on you?" Her head falls back and she lets out the most beautiful laugh.

Now, not only is there paint smeared across my cheek, there's also a stripe of blue in my hair. I glance down at my body, wondering how much paint I got on myself and I groan. These clothes are complete trash at this point.

"I don't think I'm adult enough to paint." I frown at Savvy.

"I think maybe you should stop until I get home."

I nibble on my bottom lip, trying to prevent myself from blurting out my question. I want to ask her so badly, it's killing me.

"What's going through your head?" Savvy asks slowly. "You always make that face when you're trying to keep something in."

"Nothing. It's nothing. Don't worry about it." I wave off her question. I want to do this in person.

"Nixon! Tell me."

"No, I'll tell you when I have you in my arms again. I promise it's something good. Or at least I hope it's good. Shit, what if you think it's bad?" I stroke my chin, feeling the thick stubble that's growing in. I wonder how Savvy feels about me having a beard. I used to have one and I really miss it.

"Oh my gosh! Go shower before you somehow turn your entire body blue!"

"What the hell?" I groan when I realize I just smeared paint across my chin. "How do I keep getting more paint on me?"

"I don't know, but don't sit on the couch or your bed. That would be a nightmare."

I glance over my shoulder at the couch I sat on to take a quick break and to eat my dinner. There's an outline of a body in blue.

"Hey, baby? How do you feel about picking out a new couch with me?" I turn my camera so Savannah can see it and she bursts out laughing.