Page 56 of Mister Curb Appeal
Brad just rolls his eyes and whispers to me, “They all know I’m the favorite son.”
I can’t help laughing as I watch them, they really are the all-American family. And it’s heartwarming to be here next to Josh. It feels like there’s always been a place for me here, and it’s truly the best present I could ever get.
“Please excuse my boys and their bickering.” Tristan shakes his head and takes a sip of wine while he picks up the knife again and starts dividing the turkey onto our plates. It’s a beautiful feast spread out across the large table in his dining room. I know Ali did most of the table decorations, the gold Christmas lanterns decorated with mistletoe are my absolute favorite.
Josh leans in somewhere between passing me the gravy and waiting for me to finish pouring it on my food. “I love you,” he whispers, his breath is warm on the shell of my ear, and I feel all cozy inside.
“I love you, too,” I whisper back.
“We don’t want to keep Mr. Snuggles waiting too long.” He waggles his eyebrows and I know exactly what he has in store.
“Oh no you don’t, Mister, we just got here!” I poke him in the ribs, and he just laughs.
“The hot tub is waiting, baby.”
And that it is, but we have all night to look forward to, cozying up together in front of the fireplace. It’s one of our favorite pastimes of late.
“Soon,” I tell him. And soon may not come quick enough, but I know the only place I want to be is with him.
Three months later
Things have only gotten better between me and Josh these past few months, getting to know each other even more and us moving in together has been so amazing. Yes, things have moved quickly between us, but I love how well we gel together, while still keeping our own identities and interests. We waited until the new year before I moved in, actually, it was early February because packing everything up and doing a massive over-haul takes time. And moving places is a good time as any to have a big clear out. Of course, all of my Christmas decorations were safe and sound.
Mr. Snuggles is more than happy at Josh’s place. We discussed Josh moving into my place, but his space is bigger andthere’s a separate library nook where Joshie has made a space for me and all of my romance books. How could I say no to that? He’s such a sweetheart.
He never fails to surprise me most days, even if it’s just with a cute post-it love note, or a sweet text. Often, he brings a bunch of flowers home and gives me the most amazing compliments and foot massages. We just fit. And everything just gets better and better as time goes on. His family accepted me from the start, and meeting his mom on Boxing Day was amazing, she’s a really lovely lady and we get along so well. I’ve seen her a couple of more times since then, and we’re all getting together with my mom next week to have lunch together.
Just as I’m pulling in from work, my phone pings before I’m out of the car. I pick it up from the console, smiling when I see a message from Josh.
Josh
Babe, there’s a post-it trail when you get home. I’ve got a surprise for you
He does this sometimes, little surprises for no reason at all, it’s really so damned cute. He even gets Mr. Snuggles in on the act and writes notes signed from them both.
My heart flips a little beat and I quickly type back;
Me
I’m almost at the front door, see you in a sec!
When I get to the door and edge the key in, giving the handle a little wiggle, a lovely soft aroma immediately alerts my senses– vanilla and coconut? I don’t know exactly, but it smells divine.
As I step in, I notice it’s kind of dark in the house, he’s drawn the blinds… and as I glance down to kick off my shoes, I realize I’m standing in a little stream of pink rose petals, and the trailleads right down the hallway. A little giggle escapes me as I close the door and step out of my heels. It’s when I go to put my keys and cell on the little hallway table that I see the first note, right next to the flickering candle – that’s where the vanilla and coconut scent is coming from – written on a light pink-colored post-it.
Follow the rose petal trail my love
I pick up the note and shake my head with a smile, shrugging out of my jacket and dropping my bag on the floor, doing just as he says. The feel of the sweet little petals under my feet have me feeling like a giddy child as I walk. He brings that out in me and I love it when he surprises me like this.
At the end of the hall I see a hot pink post-it stuck to the wall.
Keep going baby. We’re in the bedroom…
“Joshie!” I call out, pulling the note off the wall and keeping it stuck to the top of the other one. “What are you doing?” I keep walking and turn at the kitchen and dining area to the second hallway that leads to the bedrooms. That’s when I see a bright yellow post-it on the wall.
You’re so damned close
I finally stop at our bedroom door, I still don’t hear a sound anywhere, but there’s a light blue post-it stuck to the door.
