Page 32 of Convincing Him
Then there was the five year thing. Gabe didn’t like having anything unresolved. He and Britney needed to figure this out immediately.
He was going to get his life in order so the anxiety would stop.
The passenger door opened and Britney settled into the car. “I told Candi you weren’t feeling well and asked her to reschedule the rest of the viewings. It’s too bad you didn’t see the master bedroom. It’s lovely. The closet is huge and the attached bath has a real traditional feel. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have the same rain shower effect your shower in the condo has, but it is still quite nice.”
“Do you want to buy this house?” interrupted Gabe.
“Well yes. I like it best of all the places we’ve looked at so far,” Britney frowned in confusion. “Why do you ask?”
“We need to decide some things,” began Gabe firmly. “It’s important we get this right and there isn’t much time if we’re going to move in directly after the wedding.”
“A house is a major purchase. We should get an inspection,” mentioned Britney. “It could take a while. I’m okay with being in the condo for a little while.”
“Absolutely,” agreed Gabe with relief. Why hadn’t he thought about that? An inspector would know what needed to be done to a house to make it safe. He felt some relief from the burdens on him. “We definitely need an inspection.”
Britney looked a little disappointed. “Gabe, I still do want a house. I would like to be moved in before the baby is born. Preferably for a few months.”
“You want this house,” he surmised.
“Not if you don’t want it,” she didn’t look at him. Instead she looked down, fiddling with her engagement ring.
Gabe made a decision. It was obvious Britney loved the house. She had lit up when they had viewed it. It had everything she was looking for. While Gabe could see the faults in it and understand where it could use some improvements, Brit was happy with it. Denying her the house was petty even if the location was going to be an inconvenience to him.
One of them should be happy.
“We need to get an inspection on it,” he grumbled.
Her eyes lit up with hope as Britney faced him. She grabbed his forearm in excitement. “Are you sure?”
“If it passes an inspection, we will make an offer,” he promised grimly.
Britney beamed in delight and flung her arms around his neck in a tight hug. Before he could move, she surprised him with a quick kiss then bounced happily in her seat, looking at the house. “I love this house. It’s going to be a great home for the three of us.”
“No dog,” the words popped out before he could stop them. Gabe was reeling from the unexpected contact with Britney. His next proclamation surprised him even more. “Maybe something small. Like a hamster or gerbil. Those can be kept in a cage, can’t they?”
“Who will clean the cage out?” Britney questioned with a bit of humor.
“The kid will. Which is why he can’t have one until he’s old enough to take care of it,” declared Gabe.
“Okay,” smiled Britney in satisfaction.
Gabe nodded. He could do this. If he could negotiate her down from the dangerous stuff, maybe this would work.
“You don’t seem happy about the house,” she remarked thoughtfully.
“I like it,” he muttered.
“You don’t like it,” sighed Britney. “We need to have a home both of us want.”
“I want the house,” insisted Gabe.
“Don’t lie to me,” folding her arms, Britney levelled him with a serious look.
“I’m not lying,” Gabe tried again to convince her. “The yard has potential.”
“You hate the yard,” responded Britney.
“Okay, I hate the yard,” agreed Gabe. He paused for a moment and decided to level with her. “This is not what I would choose for myself, but this isn’t about me. This is about the both of us. It’s about the baby we’ve agreed to have together. It means we both need to compromise. If this house makes you happy and is ideal to raise a family, then we will buy this house after it has been thoroughly inspected.”
