26

Bianca

One month later…

It was bitterly cold outside as I climbed out of Jager’s car. The forecast called for snow, but so far the looming clouds had held off and it was only gray skies. But despite the weather, I smiled as I walked up the wooden steps. I couldn’t help it. Today was the day I walked into my new home. A home I saved up for and purchased all on my own.

I pressed the key into the lock and turned while Jager held the screen door behind me. Slowly, I opened the door and looked around the empty space. There was a staircase to the right and the living room to the left. The kitchen was in the back and it could all be seen from the front entrance. It wasn’t very big at all. But it was mine. I clasped my hands together and turned toward Jager.

He chuckled. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you!”

I looked around the empty rooms, imagining some of the furnishings Jager and I went to look at. They were too expensive, of course, so Jager agreed to go shopping with me at the second-hand store this afternoon. But a girl could dream.

“Shall we check upstairs?”

“Absolutely,” I said. “Race you to the top.”

I ran up the steps, two at a time, and squealed when Jager grabbed me around the waist. I wiggled out of his grasp and reached the top of the stairs first. “Ha, I won!”

He shook his head. “We both win when you bounce up and down like that.” I smacked his chest playfully, and he kissed my fingers.

“Let’s check out the bedroom,” he said.

I scoffed. “You know what the bedroom looks like.”

“I do. I just want to make sure the bed you picked out will fit there.”

I groaned. “It was a magnificent bed, wasn’t it? Four posts and a king-sized mattress.”

“Yes. It’s perfect.”

“I know. But, honestly, after the lawyer fees and realtor fees, I don’t think I can afford it. I’m sure we’ll find a great piece at the store today.”

He nodded and walked around the room. “But you liked the bed, right?”

“Of course, I did.” I rolled my eyes. “It was gorgeous.”

“And what about the other furniture in the store? Did you like those pieces, too?”

“They were perfect, really. And one day I’ll get them for this place.”

Jager walked around and stopped in front of the window. “Good, that’s really good.”

“Why?”

“Because you were very clear about wanting to pay for this house, but…”

I narrowed my eyes, scrutinizing his expression. “But?”

“But you said nothing about the furniture.”

“What do you mean?”

“You never said I couldn’t buy you that.”

I smiled. “You bought me the bed?”

He shook his head and laughed. “No. Of course not.”

“Oh.” I felt a little silly at how excited I’d gotten in those few seconds.

“Why would I get you only the bed?”

“I know. I was just thinking—wait…” I stared at him. “What do you mean ‘only the bed’?”

He smirked at something he saw outside my window. “Right on time.”

“What is? Jager, you’re all over the place. Did you buy me the bed?”

“Yes, baby. I did. And the living room set, the kitchen table and chairs, the high-end appliances, washer, dryer…”

“Wh—what…” I stammered. “Are you serious?”

“Take a look.” He nodded at something outside the window.

I crossed the bedroom floor and looked outside. An enormous truck had pulled up to the curb in front of the house.

“Yes. We’ll be down in a minute,” Jager said and put away his phone. “They want to know where they should put the stand-up freezer. In the kitchen or the basement?”

“Stand up… uh… the basement?”

“Good call.”

He grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the staircase. “Watch your step.”

I followed him down and watched as two men unloaded all the furniture that I’d fallen in love with days ago, and thought I would never see for a very long time.

“Jager, I can’t let you do this.”

“Why not? It’s a housewarming present.”

“Which one?”

He smiled. “All of it.” Then his smile faltered. “Oh, you should probably tell them where to set up the pizza oven outside.”

“Pizza oven?”

“Didn’t you tell River at dinner that you’d always wanted one?”

“Yes. Like I’ve always wanted a Mercedes, but it’s something one says.”

“Oh. Shit. Then you don’t want the Mercedes?”

My eyes widened. “Jager, you didn’t”

He laughed. “No. No, I didn’t. I always thought you were more of a domestic car sort of girl, so I got you a Mustang instead.”

I chuckled. “That’s funny. You almost had me.”

He smiled and pulled me into his chest. “I’m not kidding, Bumblebee. It’s in the garage.”

I looked up at him and his smile grew bigger. “Don’t even think about arguing with me over this. If I want to spoil my woman, I will.”

I inhaled and shook my head. “I just don’t know what to think. I’ve never… I don’t know… no one has ever bought me anything before.”

“Well, get used to it. I plan to do it often. Now, we should probably see where you want this furniture before they put the armchair in the kitchen.”

We set off to help the delivery guys and didn’t stop until every piece was put into place.

Jager rolled up his sleeves and helped wherever he could. He kept eyeing his jacket, and I wondered if he was cold. “I might have an oversized hoodie if you prefer that instead of your coat to work in.”

He shook his head. “No, I’m good. Thanks.”

I unpacked some of the boxes I had brought from River’s place and put up some photographs. Jager and I had recently gone away for the weekend to Vegas, and I placed the picture of the two of us on a gondola on top of the fireplace mantel. He had said he’d take me to Venice next month for the real deal and I thought he was joking, but now…

When the movers left and I placed the last pillow on the couch, I immediately fell backwards onto the sofa.

Jager laughed. “Exhausted?”

“Yes, and no. Tired, but in a good way. An accomplished way, if that makes sense.”

“It does.” He looked around. “I know you have all this fancy cookware now, but let’s go out for dinner.”

“Oh, you don’t have to worry about me. That sounds perfect.”

He reached for his coat, and I grabbed mine along with my new house keys. I couldn’t help but smile when I locked the front door. This was really mine.

I turned and saw Jager staring up at the sky with his eyes closed. “Fucking perfect,” he said softly.

I was confused. Was he upset because it was now snowing? “The roads won’t be too bad yet.” I lifted my hand to catch a snowflake and smiled when it melted in my hand.

“I’ve been waiting all week for this, and the timing couldn’t be more perfect.”

“All week… for what?”

“The first snowfall.” Then, in his jeans and gray coat, Jager dropped down to one knee. His hair was messy, and a little wet from the snow falling on top of it. While I watched him do this, my mind wasn’t registering what was happening until he dug into his pocket and pulled out a box. Only when he opened it and I saw the brilliant diamond inside, I finally understood.

My hands flew over my mouth, and I crouched down beside him. “Oh my God! Oh my God!” I stood up and stared at the ring and the beautiful man holding it.

“Bianca Catherine Rimoli, I have loved you from the beginning and never stopped. There’s been no one else but you that I’ve wanted to spend my life with. Will you make me the happiest of men and marry me?”

My lungs seized, and I couldn’t breathe. The snow fell softly around us and I’d always thought the first snowfall was beautiful, but now it was breathtaking.

“Yes,” I whispered. Then louder, “Yes! Yes! Oh, my goodness, yes!” I threw my arms around his neck and pressed my lips to his cheek. I kissed him over and over as he chuckled and struggled to rise. I relented and let him stand up, only to throw myself into his arms. Then I took a calming breath and let him slide the ring on my finger.

“I don’t ever want to lose you again.”

“You won’t.”

I kissed him again and again. Then a thought hit me. “Are we going to live here together?”

“I’ll go wherever you want to be,” he said. “As long as you wake up next to me.”

I liked that even though Jager could afford a much bigger place in a better neighborhood, he was willing to stay with me. He chose me, like he had done all those years ago. Only this time, he knew that I loved him just as much.

“What do you think of a wedding in Venice?” I said as I climbed into his car. “I hear it’s beautiful this time of year.”

He grinned. “Only say the word and I’ll fly your guests and mine there to be with us.”

“Would you really?”

“In a heartbeat.”

“Mmm…”

“Is that a yes?”

“Do you think we can plan a wedding that quickly? It takes months to plan a launch event. Except…”

“Except?”

I sighed. “I don’t want to wait months. All right, let’s do it.”

Jager kissed my hand, and his eyes brimmed with happiness. “You can plan the perfect party when we get back, but for now, let’s have the ceremony in Venice and our honeymoon on the Amalfi coast. If you can take the time off work, we can take my yacht to Spain.”

“Your yacht to Spain?”

He nodded.

“Jager, I don’t know how to put this delicately but…”

“Go on, we’re going to be married after all.”

“Well, how fucking rich are you?”

He smiled, a wide grin, and stared straight ahead. “As rich as Croesus.”

I laughed at his expression and shook my head. “Funny.”

His grin widened, and while his eyes remained on the road, they danced with laughter.

It was only a joke.

Jager was kidding, wasn’t he?

Mmm… I wasn’t sure, but maybe, just maybe, I could finally buy myself that pool table.

***

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