Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 87260 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87260 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
The song ended, “Deck the Halls” came on, and Haven started dancing as she flipped the bacon. I pushed off the wall and made my way to her. Once I was behind her, I wrapped my arms around her waist. She stopped dancing and leaned against me.
Turning her head slightly, she looked back at me. “Good morning, and Merry Christmas Eve.”
“Merry Christmas Eve. Don’t let me stop you from singing and dancing.”
She laughed. “I’ve never been this excited for Christmas. I can’t wait to spend it with your family.”
“I can’t wait to share them with you as well.”
Turning around, she wrapped her arms around my neck. “I feel like I’m in a dream, Nate. Everything is perfect, and I’m just waiting for the rug to get pulled out from under my feet.”
I ran the back of my hand down the side of her beautiful face. “Stop worrying, Haven. For once in your life, I wish you would believe you deserve this happiness.”
She chewed nervously on her lower lip. “I’m trying, it’s just…”
Her voice trailed off, and her gaze dropped to my chest. Placing my finger on her chin, I lifted her gaze to mine.
“Our life is only just beginning, Haven. There are so many wonderful moments that we’re going to experience together. So many places I want to whisk you off to and show you.”
Her dimples appeared as she asked, “Really? Like where?”
“Anywhere you want to go.”
“Anywhere?”
I laughed. “Anywhere.”
“Like I said before, I’ve always wanted to see London.”
“Then we’ll go to London.”
Rolling her eyes, she said, “Maybe we should start here in the US. Maybe Oregon?”
I nodded. “We can do that.”
She sighed. “Maybe after the dog park is up and running.”
“I don’t think we should wait. We’ve waited long enough.”
Her finger ran along my jawline. “I love you for wanting to make me happy.”
“I don’t only want to make you happy, princess; I want to see all of your dreams come true.”
Tears filled her eyes. “They are coming true because of you.”
I shook my head. “It’s not because of me, Haven. You would have done all of this without me. You’re more than capable of bringing your dreams and goals to life; I’m just along for the ride.”
“How do you do that?”
“Do what?” I asked.
“Make me feel as if I can do anything I want.”
“Because you can.”
Haven let out a sigh. “Pinch me.”
I waggled my brows. “That game again, huh?”
Laughing, Haven turned back to the bacon. “I was going to make us some French toast.”
“That sounds good. I don’t think I’ve had that since I lived at home with my parents.”
“I have a secret ingredient that makes mine amazingly good.”
“Really? What is it?”
She raised a brow. “It wouldn’t be a secret if I told you.”
“I’ll get it out of you; just wait.”
She shrugged, removed the bacon from the pan, and put it on paper towels on a plate.
I sat at the kitchen island and watched Haven move about my kitchen as if she had been doing so since day one.
“Move in with me.”
She paused and glanced over her shoulder. “What?”
“Move in with me.”
With a soft laugh, she said, “Nate, are you being serious?”
“It feels like the right step in the right direction.”
I watched as she beat the eggs and then went into the pantry. She set a bunch of things down and looked at me. “Are you being serious?”
“Yes!” I said with a laugh. “Your lease is up next month. Do you really want to renew it? You’re here all the time anyway. Let’s make it official.”
She stared at me momentarily before a huge smile broke out on her face. God, how I loved those dimples of hers.
“Okay, I’ll move in with you.”
I got up and made my way to her. Lifting her, I spun her around and kissed her. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Once I put her down, she patted my chest. “Now go away so I can add my secret ingredient.”
“When can we go and get your stuff?”
“Nate! It’s Christmas Eve!”
“So what? We don’t have anything going on today.”
Her mouth fell open. “You want to do it today?”
“Yes. What all do you want to bring with you?”
She bit down on her lower lip. “Well, I don’t have much furniture, and it’s not really worth anything. Besides, your house is full of furniture. I could probably give it all away. I really just have a few kitchen items and my clothes. The dog stuff, of course, but other than that, it’s all I have.”
Frowning, she added, “That’s kind of sad.”
“No, it’s not. You’ve put all your time and money into your career; nothing is wrong with that.”
With a grin, she asked, “Do you have boxes?”
I let out a whoop of laughter, picked her up, and spun her around again before setting her back on the floor and kissing her soundly. “If you’ve got this, I’ll head to the garage and look for some boxes. If I don’t have any, we can pick them up.”