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“I bought it because I can’t see a future where we live together with your mother next door, always putting pressure on you,” I say. “Clinging to my childhood home is pointless. And we can make new memories here together. We already have one at the quarry. It’s not the best one, but we can change that. We can make this place our own. We can make it a safe place for our family.”
June’s bottom lip trembles.
“I know that this is a lot,” I say, “but June, I want the world for you. I don’t care if you have to leave to study, as long as you know you’ll always have a home to come back to here. A home where we’ll be waiting for you. I acted like a dick the other night. I know that was the wrong thing to do, and I’m going to back off so that you can be who you want to be, June. I don’t want you to be just mine. I want you to have the space to you as well. Your own person. I think that’s something you never really had, not with your mom, not with your ex.”
Tears wet her cheeks, and I catch them with my thumbs, because I can’t help myself. I can’t stand to see her upset.
“But what about Alex?” she asks. “What if she doesn’t want this?”
“Ultimately, Alex is my daughter and I choose what’s best for her until she’s of an age to do so for herself. I choose you. And Alex has too. She adores you. She wants you in her life. And so do I.”
June’s tears keep coming. “Why?”
“Because you’re loyal, you’re kind, you’ve changed my life. You’ve brought a smile to my daughter’s face. You’ve taught me that I don’t have to be a rock, that it’s okay to be happy. That I’m allowed to sing.”
“Cash.”
“You don’t have to move in right away,” I say. “When you’re ready, we’ll be here. We’ll be waiting. You can live with Marci or in your apartment. All I’m asking for is a chance to make it work, June. Please.”
She loops arms around my neck, and I kiss her. A kiss that I’ve been waiting for my entire life.
She’s not holding back. She’s giving me everything. Her hope, her loyalty, and her trust, and I can feel it.
There’s no weight to those feelings. There’s only a desire to reciprocate. I will never let June down.
I hold her against my chest as she trembles, her heart beating like crazy against mine.
“I can’t believe this,” she says. “Are you serious, Cash? Are you serious?”
“Yes,” I say. “Anything for you. Anything.”
She’s quiet for a while, and I live in the moment with her, enjoying the sounds of nature, the sensation of her body pressed against mine. I run my hand over her bare skin, and she shivers against me.
“Are you ready to talk to Alex?” I ask.
Her chin lifts, and she frowns at me. “Now? Are you sure?”
“She’s here,” I say, nodding toward the house.
“That fast? You moved that fast?”
“I wanted to make things happen, and I’m privileged enough to have the funds to do so,” I say. “So yeah, she’s here. She’s helping unpack the kitchen, and I told her you might come by tonight. But no pressure if you’re not ready.”
June takes a breath. “I’m not ready to move in with you, Cash. I do need to find my own way because I’ve never had my own life. But I want to make this work with you. I want to be with you. I’m ready to try.”
“Me too.” I take her hand.
We walk toward the house together, and I hold the door open for her. Inside, Alex lets out a squeal.
“June! You came. Yay! What do you think? Isn’t it cool? We have the biggest house ever. I chose a room on the top floor. I can see the whole quarry from up there. And I have a walk-in closet and everything.”
“That’s amazing. I can’t wait to see it.”
“Hold up,” I say, shutting the front door and gesturing for Alex to sit down on the sofa. “We’ve got to talk to you first before you start giving house tours.”
Alex sits down and the leather squeaks underneath her. “What did I do?”
June laughs at that, but I can hear the nerves in her voice.
