“What? Seriously? A couple?” She gasped. “I’ll freaking grow sea legs for that much.”
He laughed. “You can practice tomorrow on our trip back by serving me drinks the entire way.”
“It’s a plan.” She stood up and did an amazing cannonball into the pool.
After dinner and the sunset, they decided to watch a movie together. She picked a scary movie that he’d watched a couple times before. Even though she’d admitted she’d seen it before herself, she still jumped and held onto him each time something scary happened.
Later, when she was fast asleep in his arms, he thought about missing the feeling of her next to him in bed when they returned. She’d go back to her apartment, he’d go to his.
Already, he ached for that to change. Would it be too soon to ask her to move in together? They had known each other for over five years. That was longer than he’d known anyone else he’d dated before. Not that he’d lived with anyone before, but still. It had to count for something. Right?
With his mind on that, he fell asleep and had dreams of their future, living in a dreamhouse on the land he would be closing on next week. In his dream, they had three beautiful kids and two dogs, ugly-looking mutts that were loyal and goofy and ran around and went sailing with them.
When they woke, they made breakfast together after showering.
“What are your thoughts on dogs?” he asked her, remembering his dream.
“I love them. Are you thinking of getting one?” she asked.
“Two. I want two of them,” he said, suddenly knowing he was going to go to the pound when he got home. “Rescue dogs,” he added. “My folks rescued Cooper and he’s the best dog they’ve had.”
“My parents used to have a dog, Bailey. She died when I was thirteen. It broke my father’s heart when she went, and they’ve never gotten another one since.”
“It’s not fair that they don’t live longer,” he said. “But that just means we get to get more and give them their best lives while we have them.”
“I agree.” She smiled. “My place won’t let me have pets.”
He frowned. “Mine either.”
She laughed. “Isn’t that going to hinder you from getting two dogs?”
“Yeah.” He sighed. “I could find us a place to live, together. One that allows dogs?” he said, holding his breath.
She stilled and turned to him. “Did you really just ask me to move in with you?”
“That depends.” He moved over to take her hips in his hands and pull her closer. The eggs were probably going to burn on the stove, but he didn’t care.
“It does? On what?” she asked, putting her arms around his shoulders.
“On your answer,” he said, holding his breath.
“Let me think about it,” she finally said. “I want to say yes, but…” She bit her bottom lip, then shook her head. “Find a place first. It’ll have to be close to the camp.”
“Yes,” he agreed eagerly. “It’ll probably only be temporary anyway. Aiden’s going to start building the house on the land after I close on it next week. When that’s done, we can move in there.” He watched her face for any signs of fear.
Instead, he saw she was thinking hard about it.
“I’d have a few stipulations,” she said slowly.
He reached over and turned off the stove. “I’d be happy to go over whatever rules or stipulations you have.” He leaned in and kissed her. “I want to spend my nights with you in my arms.”
She melted against him. “I’d like that too. I just want to make sure my parents are okay first.”
“And you living with me might change that? If anything, I’d think it would help out. Rent would be cheaper. We could carpool to work.” He pulled her closer. “You wouldn’t be going through this alone. I’d always be there to listen to your fears and help you through the rough patches.”
“You make it sound magical,” she said with a sigh. “Find a place. I’ll get you an answer after I talk to my parents. I promise.”
“That’s good enough for now.” He kissed her. “Now that the eggs are overcooked, let’s eat.” He pulled the pan off the stove.