Chapter Twelve
The guys got home just in time for the showing. They secured the animals and went over to meet the realtor, Bridget. She was a friendly woman with blonde hair and bright green eyes. She shook hands with everyone and told them to go in inside, saying she’d meet them in a bit. Lauren expected her to follow along and try to sell the home with talk of kitchens and powder rooms. This was so much better. She grabbed Cole’s hand and tugged him inside.
The house didn’t need selling. It had a big living room, which was attached to a chef’s kitchen that could easily hold the group and have room left over. Tons of windows offered a lot of light and Lauren smiled as she looked around the empty rooms. It was already perfect.
The bedrooms were all located off the main room down two hallways and felt private. The master bedroom was big with a great bathroom that offered a shower as well as a bath. The other rooms were sizable enough to work with.
Everything was tastefully updated just as advertised, with granite counter tops in the kitchen and freshly painted walls throughout the house. The colors were pretty without being gaudy, brightening the home immensely.
They all looked at each other with bright eyes. Bridget walked inside, smiling at them and clicking across the hardwood floors on her black heels. “What did you think of it?” she asked.
Lauren’s eyes scanned Cole’s face, trying to read it. Please love it.
“I think it’s great,” Cole said, and Lauren walked over to hug him tightly. “For the price, we can’t get much better, and it’s ready to move in. Baby, I take it you agree?” He held Lauren tightly, and she laughed, nodding at him.
“I think it’s beautiful!” Lauren said, and Bridget giggled. “Can we buy it, Cole?”
“I told you that my place was small and that I’d give you something better, Lauren. Of course, we can.” Cole kissed her, and Bridget excused herself to go to the car to get the paperwork.
“Oh my God. I’m so excited!” Jane exclaimed and she hugged them. “This is going to be yours!”
“Assuming the offer goes through,” Cole reminded her. He pulled back to look at his girlfriend. “It’s priced well. Should we offer that, baby?”
“I don’t know too much about that, Cole. Do you?” Lauren asked, staring up at him with startled eyes.
“I think this house is a fantastic price for what it offers. I like that idea, Cole,” Bridget said from the door, making all of them jump. “I always tell people to offer low these days, but this house will be snatched up if you don’t fight. It’s too pretty not to.”
While Cole and Bridget figured out the offer, Lauren walked into the generous backyard. It had room for a lot of growth. It also offered a view of the rolling hills that she’d grown to love. She turned to look at the house behind her and crossed her arms over her chest, smiling.
This was real.
She walked back inside where Bridget stood smiling at the counter, looking over the paperwork. “I hope to have good news for you kids soon. This is a firm offer, and I think that it will get accepted.”
“Sounds good, ma’am. Thank you,” Cole shook her hand firmly, and hugged Lauren as everyone laughed. They left the house and Lauren felt the warmth spreading through her body. Could Dad see her here, making such a big choice for her future with the man she loved?
They went back to the cottage and made a salad for dinner. They looked at each other across the table. “I think you’ll get it. I feel it,” Jane said, breaking the silence in the room. Lauren laughed nervously.
“I think I do, too. I just don’t want to get too excited,” Lauren admitted, sipping her water. She’d seen those home shows where the dreams of homeowners were crushed by an offer that was either denied or lower than another one. It was a tough game to play, but she could do this with Cole. They’d find something that worked for them.
They went home with Blue in tow and Cole unlocked the door to lead them inside. He looked around and smiled. “I have lived here for years, but it never felt like a home until you were here with me. I’m ready to build another home with you now, Lauren.” He turned to look at her. She set Blue down and rushed into his arms.
“Do you love me enough to do this?” Her voice was shaking. He stroked her back and ran a hand through her hair.
“Hell, yes. I love you more than anything,” Cole assured her, staring down at her. “What do you need me to say so that you’ll believe it?”
“Just kiss me,” Lauren pleaded. She lifted her lips to his. Cole claimed her mouth with his. He held her tightly and pressed his body against hers. They made their way back to the bedroom where he undressed her roughly and pushed her onto the bed to stare at her. “Don’t stop,” she managed to say.
Cole made love to her slow and hard. Lauren cried in his arms, kissing him in between gasps. He came right before she did and Lauren tightened around him as she followed suite with a scream of his name.
At that moment, just before she dozed off, Lauren didn’t care if they got the yellow house. She’d live in a cardboard box with Cole, not that he’d ever let that happen. They had everything they needed here, and she could stay here until their future fell into place.