Page 79 of Uproot

She points her spade at me, “In the next house you buy us here, I want a bigger walk-in closet.”

???

Selah bites into her chocolate cake, and I watch her intently. She closes her eyes, making a humming sound that goes straight to my cock as she licks her luscious lips.

Her brown eyes open and she smiles over at me, pausing her chewing when she sees the feral expression on my face.

“Beck? Are you ok?” she asks timidly.

I clear my throat, adjusting myself in my dress slacks. “I’m fine, angel. I’m just glad to see that you’re enjoying your dessert,” I respond gruffly.

She flutters her eyelashes at me, pushing the plate across the table, but I shake my head, “You finish it, sweetheart. Thank you,” I say, taking a sip of my wine.

She pulls the plate back, and I wait for her to finish, looking around the restaurant while she eats.

Stoney Lodge is the closest thing to fine dining there is in Upwood. It has a bit of rustic charm to it, with its wood beamed vaulted ceilings, and stone fireplaces set throughout the restaurant. I can imagine in the winter it must be a very romantic atmosphere with all of them lit up throughout the dining room.

The place is a bit busy tonight since it is Friday, but we got a nice table tucked away in the corner. She’s wearing a lowcut, floral dress that kept my attention much more than the steak I ordered for dinner.

She sets down her spoon and I reach across the table and take her hand in mine.

“I want to talk to you about something angel, and before you start to worry, it’s nothing bad,” I assure her, seeing the nervous expression on her face.

“Ok. You can tell me, Beck, go on,” she responds.

“I’ve been thinking a lot about what I want our future to be like. I know that I told you I wanted to make things work long distance. That we could visit each other, and you could even stay with Edison and I during your school breaks.”

She nods, “Yes, and I’m ok with that. I know it will be hard to be apart, but I want to make it work,” she says.

“I want to make it work too, angel. But I know that plan won’t be enough for us. The longer I’ve stayed here, the more I realize that I can’t be states away from you. Hell, I can barely stand havingyou 15 minutes away at your house while I’m working,” I explain, annoyance nagging me at the thought of it.

I lean forward, locking her eyes with mine, “We need more than that, Selah. And I want Edison to have a different life than I did growing up. I don’t want to spend 60 hours in my office while he spends most of his time with Dragana, or if we are lucky, having a few playdates around the city,” I say with a frown. “There’s a better solution that will make all of us happy. I want to move here and make Upwood our home full-time, angel.”

Her free hand fly’s up to her mouth, her eyes widening in shock, “B-Beck, what?! I mean how can that work? What about your business?”

I can tell she is excited, but worried that I am making a grand gesture that is going to ruin my life somehow. But I expected this, and I am ready to reassure her.

“I can telework just like I’ve been doing for months now, angel. I already went over all of the logistics with Bobby. Honestly, it’s time for me to let a little more of the day-to-day grind of my business go, and just focus on designing games and being in the office for major meetings, or events. That’s where my heart really is anyway,” I explain.

She lets out a deep breath, her hand shaking in mine. “I can’t believe this,” she mutters, almost to herself. “I didn’t think this was something you would really consider. I just-I hope you’re not doing this solely because of me. I know you have your entire life going for you in New York, and friends-,”

“Friend,” I correct her.

She twist her mouth at me, “Ok,friend. But one that is a brother to you. I want you all here more than anything, but I don’t want you to uproot your entire life just because of me,” she says.

I get up from my seat, and walk around the table, pulling out the seat next to her and turning it to face her. I take both of her hands in mine and continue.

“You say the word “just” like you’re some inconsequential part of my life that doesn’t matter, Selah,” I say. “You, Edison, Dragana, hell, even all of the friends I’ve made here, all matter so much to me. You’ve all made my life better in a way that I didn’t realize I needed until I had it. And Bobby understands that he will always be a part of my life. We will still see each other monthly, and talk every day regardless of where I live.”

“I’m certain this is what I want. I’m already working on selling my penthouse, and I’m going to get a brownstone for when we go back to spend time in New York. That will be more family friendly for us. We can buy a house here so we can get out of the rental, and I wantallof us to live together.”

Her eyes glisten with tears, and she squeaks out a soft response, “All of us?”

“Yes, angel. You, Edi, Dragana, and me.Allof us. And whoever we add to our family later on too,” I say, giving her a pointed look that leaves no need for further explanation.

She pushes forward off of her seat, wrapping her arms around my neck and squeezing me tight. “You are the most incredible man I’ve ever met, Beckett Kade. I love you so much.”

“I’m not even half as incredible as you are, my angel,” I whisper, kissing her on the head.

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