Page 92 of Delay of Game

Ash is unusually quiet as we make our way across the street and approach the front door. I laugh, noticing the Christmas wreath on the front door. “When the hell did you have time to decorate?”

He smirks over at me but doesn’t answer, sliding the key inside the lock and pushing the door open, gesturing for me to go in first. My curiosity is piqued, and I take a few slow steps inside.

From what I can see in the hallway, the place is similar to Robbie’s ranch-style home, all modern flooring and crisp white walls. I lean against the wall as I take off my shoes and noticepart of a fireplace in what seems to be the living room. “Ash, this place is amazing. Are you excited?” I ask and he nods, offering me his arm.

I take it with a raised eyebrow, and he leads me towards the room with the fireplace with what I now notice is a large TV above it.Wow, they moved things in here fast.As we round the corner, a large cream-colored sectional is taking up the majority of the living room. It resembles my own couch at the apartment, and I smile.

I’m too busy gawking at the large windows on the other wall and how much natural light the place has, that I don’t notice movement in the kitchen until Ash spins me around.

“Surprise!!” a chorus of voices exclaim. My hands fly up to cover my mouth and I jump up, more than a little startled.

“Guys, what the hell?” I ask, looking around the kitchen and noticing that my entire family is here. My mom and dad, huddled in a corner, each holding a glass of eggnog; Michael, Tangela and the kids next to them. Robbie is grinning at me, his elbows resting on the kitchen island, which is covered in trays of food and mugs for wassail. Olivia is holding Val and her green eyes sparkle as she gives me a Cheshire Cat grin.

“I feel like everybody is in on something except for me,” I say warily as Ash walks over to Eli and puts his arm around his boyfriend. I frown when I realize Jordan is not here.

“You’ll catch on soon enough,lapsi,” Eli says, and looks behind me at the fireplace.

I spin around, taking in the living room again. There’s a variety of plush pink pillows on the couch and a decent sized coffee table with a pastel multi-colored rug underneath. On top of the table is a framed picture and a stack of papers and I narrow my eyes, looking between them and my traitorous family that won’t tell me what is going on.

As I approach, I realize the picture is the same one that Jordan has on his nightstand, the one of us walking down the aisle at Robbie’s wedding. My hand shakes a little as I reach for the papers and quickly open them up.

“It’s a deed,” I say, dumbfounded. I skim through the unfamiliar words until I get to the transfer of ownership.

From Ashton T. Meyers to Jordan L. Hill and Alice M. Elliot.

Tears prick my eyes and I suck in a sharp breath, not quite believing my eyes. Did he just?—

“Merry Christmas,” Jordan says from behind me in that sultry deep voice of his.

Jordan

Alice is frozenin her spot and my stomach drops, thinking this may have been a huge mistake. When she told me a week ago that all she wanted for Christmas was a bigger place to live, I thought of the perfect gift. Maybe it was a littletoopresumptuous to assume she wanted me to move in with her, but it feltright. We’ve wasted so much time, and all I want is to spend my life with her. I’d like that to start as soon as possible.

Everyone is quiet behind me, and I glance at them, shrugging. They all give me similar looks, not knowing what to do next. At least I wasn’t the only one who thought this was a great plan. Everyone was looped in on it, and I even had to bribe Ash to sell me this house. I may owe him my firstborn and possibly my soul, but that’s a problem for the future.

I clear my throat, tapping Alice on the shoulder where she’s still looking down at the damn papers. “Do you not like it?” I whisper, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “There’s still time to return it, those papers haven’t been filed yet,” I joke.

Alice turns around and stares at me, a single tear forming at the corner of her eye and falling down her cheek. I step closer and cup her face with my hands, catching it. “Why are you crying?”

“Did you really buy us a house?” she whispers, her blue gaze locked on mine, an emotion I can’t quite figure out swirling in the depths of her eyes.

“I did. If you want it—” I say, biting my lip. “If you want me, I’m all yours.”

She shakes her head and blurts, “I got you a yoga mat. I couldn’t find a PS5.”

I laugh and brush her cheeks with my thumbs as Alice blows out a breath and gives me a slow smile, one that takes over her whole face and lights up her eyes. “Yes, of course I want you. And the house,” she says, leaning in like she might kiss me, but stopping at the last second.

Her eyes roam around the kitchen, where her family is looking at us. She bites her lip and says, “We haven’t really told people that we’re dating.”

“Oh please, we’ve all known for ages. Just kiss already,” Robbie says, rolling his eyes at us.

I chuckle and my lips meet hers in a pressing kiss. Alice sighs happily against me and puts her arms around my waist.

A chorus of “Finally!” and “Took them long enough,” and “Woot!” comes from the kitchen and we break apart, laughing. My lips find her forehead in a long, promising kiss.

We spend Christmas in a mostly unfurnished home with all the people we love squeezing together on the couch, watching our favorite holiday movies and drinking festive drinks. Alice sits between my legs, her head resting on my chest, and I know deep in my bones that I’m finally home.

PART 4

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