Page 124 of Don’t Go Breaking My Heart

“Slow down, big boy.”

By the time we finished the tour, I knew this was it. Every corner of the house felt like it was waiting for us to fill it with memories, to make it ours. Standing in one of the upstairs bedrooms, I turned to Kannon, my heart full. “I want it,” I said softly. “This is the one.”

His eyes met mine, his expression warm and certain. “Then we’ll make it happen.”

“Are you sure?” I asked. “I mean, should we talk about it or look at other houses?”

“You just said it was the one.”

“I know, but I’ve heard of people looking at twenty houses before making an offer.”

He shrugged. “But why when we both know this is the one? You’ve been dreaming about this house since you were young. You’re never going to find another place that makes you this happy. The backyard is perfect. The kitchen is good-sized. Four bedrooms. What’s not to like?”

“What about all the other people checking it out?” I asked. “We might get into a bidding war.”

“We’ll deal with that if and when it happens,” he said. “I’ll find the realtor and talk next steps. I’ll let him know we want to put in an offer.”

“Okay,” I said with a smile.

I walked to the window to look out at the backyard. The grass was dormant now, but soon, it would be lush and green. We could plant flowers and maybe an herb garden.

While Kannon talked to the realtor about making an offer, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out, smiling when I saw Kleo’s name.

Kleo: Still on for lunch after the viewing?

Me: Absolutely. See you in an hour.

I slipped my phone back into my pocket just as Kannon returned, his hand finding the small of my back. “It’s in motion,” he said. “We’ll see what they say.”

I squealed. “I can’t believe we’re doing this.”

Kannon wrapped an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close and pressing a kiss to my temple. “Believe it, Buttercup.” He paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping carefully over every detail in our soon-to-be house. “This is just the beginning.”

As we left the house, the whispers from the other couples picked up. Their eyes were glued on us as we swung our legs onto the bike. But I didn’t care about them anymore, not when I had Kannon with me. We didn’t need their approval or their acceptance. The only thing that mattered was that we had each other and soon we would have our dream house.

I would love the satisfaction of beating them in a bidding war. If I had learned anything over the last couple months, it was that some things were worth fighting for.

We met Kleo at a café downtown, the kind of place that smelled like fresh bread and brewed coffee. Kannon shifted beside me as we walked in, his tension obvious. I squeezed his hand.

“It’s going to be fine,” I said quietly.

He nodded, but his jaw was tight. I couldn’t blame him. Things had been rocky between him and Kleo since Leah’s death, and I knew this was a big step for them both. I was the one that suggested the two of them talk. I didn’t expect them to walk away best friends, but I felt like it was time they both healed one of the last wounds that remained since Leah’s death.

Kleo stood when she saw us, her smile cautious but warm. “Hey.”

“Hey,” Kannon said, his voice low.

I hugged her first, then stepped back to give them space. For a moment, neither of them said anything. I held my breath. But then Kleo’s expression softened, and she reached out, touching his arm.

“I’ve missed you,” she said quietly. “And I’m sorry. For everything.”

Kannon’s shoulders relaxed. “I’m sorry too. It’s good to see you.”

We all sat down. A waitress quickly came to take our orders.

“You look good,” Kleo said.

“That upsets you,” he said it as a fact.