Page 116 of Mortgage of Convenience

Holy shit.

Bee breaks into a laugh and pushes at my chest.

“Why the hell didn’t you say anything sooner? You’ve pushed me on everything else.”

“Loving you isn’t a challenge, Bee. I don’t want loving me to be one.”

She melts, pulling me down into a fierce kiss. “It’s the furthest thing. Don’t ever think it is. Loving you is easy.”

I bring my palms to her cheeks, holding her. A small part of me can’t believe I get this. The way she looks at me, the way she loves me.

Her gaze drops from mine, snagging on my arm where my sweatshirt is pushed to my elbow.

She runs a thumb over the ink beneath, my latest addition.

“That’s the house I drew.”

“It’s our house.”

“Would,” she starts, “I mean, you can say no, but would you mind if I got a matching one?”

As if I’ll ever stop going to the ends of the earth to give her what she wants.

“It’s a big commitment, Bee. A tattoo is for life.”

When she blushes, I know she remembers. That day, almost half a year ago now, where she changed my life.

“You’re right, it shouldn’t be taken lightly.” She’s smiling, her bottom lip pulled between her teeth.

“Thank you,” I say, because I’ll never be able to say it enough.

Thank you for saying yes.

Thank you for being everything you are.

Thank you for loving me.

“You gave me a home.”

“You would have gotten the loan eventually.”

“Bee, I’m not talking about the house. I’m talking about you.”

She kisses me.

“I never knew where I belonged until now. But it’s here, with you.”

I know exactly what she means.

35

BEE

“Sore?”

My entire body is sore. Who knew smashing up appliances would hurt so much? “A little.”

My shoulders are threatening to break their lease, and I wouldn’t put it past them to take my elbows on their way out.

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