by Nita Johnson
This time Jesse joined in when I laughed again. Both of us stood close together laughing like lunatics.
Jesse reigned himself in quicker than me. He brought his hands up to cup my face ever so gently. “Should've known she would see straight through me but yeah, she's right, baby. I do like you. I know you've only just left your husband and I know that this is all too soon seeing as we've only just met, but there's something about you. Something that draws me to you and I can't help thinking that what happened to you happened for a reason. My aunt and uncle suddenly deciding to go traveling at their age also happened for a reason and I genuinely think it was to put us on the same path, to push us to into meeting each other. There's a reason for everything in this life and I think it all happened to bring you to me.”
Bringing my hand up I covered my mouth, his words burning through me as my eyes filled with tears. His left hand brushed away a lone tear that escaped.
“Willow, I didn't say this to upset you but I had to tell you. To let you in on how I've been feeling about you. To let you know that even when I'm not with you or around you that I think of you. You and those great kids you created have done something to me, changed something inside of me, and I’ve found myself wanting something I never thought I did. One disastrous relationship put me off settling down for a long ass time. I was happy with how my life was going, until you walked into my life, now I want more. I want you. I want them. I want a family.
“I thought I could wait until you'd had enough time to get over your marriage ending but as I came over here I realized that I couldn't wait. You had to know how I felt about you, sweetheart. Love at first sight’s a myth, a joke. People have written about it for years but like many others, I treated it like everything else. Unless it happened to you it's not real, ya know. Well I’m standing here telling you I know it's real. Love at first sight is more than real and it's happened to me. It's still happening to me.”
Lowering his head he captured my lips with his own, gently kissing me, showing me all that he felt in that one kiss. I surrendered to him with everything I am. I let him in as he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me closer to his body. His body's reaction to me was evident as I felt his arousal press into my stomach. That spurred me on to wrap my arms around his middle as we deepened the kiss. As Jesse licked along the seam of my lips I opened and let his tongue inside, my own tangling with his. This really was the perfect first kiss.
“Well, well, well. Don't suppose you have one of those for me, Jessie?!”
Trust my Nan to walk into the kitchen and diffuse the moment entirely. Breaking away from Jesse's delightful mouth, I buried my head in his chest as I felt it rumble with his laughter.
Not long after my Nan made her entrance Jesse made his excuses and left. I knew it was really so I could sit down and talk to Nan about his declaration. He knew how close I am to her and that I’d tell her what he had said to me.
“You were right, Nan,” I muttered the words I'd dreaded to say to her. We were now both sitting in the living room, me on the sofa with my legs tucked beneath me and her in her favorite reclining chair.
“Come again, child. You know my hearing isn't quite what it once was. Can you repeat that?” She even had the cheek to cup her ear, making out like she hadn't heard me at all.
“Cut the bull, Nan. You know you heard me loud and clear.”
“No harm in getting you to say it again, Willow. Can't blame an old lady for trying.” She cackled evilly. I swear she was getting worse the older she got. I don't ever remember her being this devious.
“What should I do?” I asked, requiring her advice more than ever. “He all but told me he was in love with me. I don't know what to do.”
“I think he actually said he’d fallen for you. Love at first sight or something along those lines. His voice was muffled by the door somewhat.”
My head snapped up to meet hers. “You eavesdropped!” I accused her angrily.
My tone had no effect on her whatsoever. “Of course I did! What kind of grandmother would I be if I didn't look out for my only grandchild.”
“I have no words for you right now, Nan.” I jumped up off the sofa done with her for one night, putting some distance between us both before I said something I'd regret in the cold light of day.
“I knew your mind would be reeling, that's why I interrupted when I did. I knew you'd require time to process what he'd said to you,” she said quietly to my retreating form.
I turned around just as I reached the door to the hallway. “Thank you,” I whispered. As much as I was pissed at her, she really was just looking out for me and she knew me so well. She’s right yet again, I did desire the time to work through it all.
“All I’m saying, Willow, is this. Rob might have been your love the whole time you were together but he abused that love when he slept around behind your back. Jesse has the potential to be your forever love, your soul mate. Something in him calls out to you. Just as you call out to him. I can see inside just how much he cares for you, so I've not a doubt in my mind that what he told you in there,” she pointed in the direction of the kitchen, “was completely and utterly the truth. Knowing you, you're worried what people will think of you but, Willow, I can guarantee they will be thinking you've had a lucky escape when it comes to Rob. You're young, you have plenty of life left in you to settle down and have the life that I know you deserve, child. Listen to an old woman when she tells you to grab this opportunity for a new start with both hands and don't you ever let it go.”
Her admission stunned me. I literally couldn't answer right now as I replayed back in my mind everything she had just said to me and the only thing I could think was that she was right. So what it hadn't been long since my marriage ended, there was no going back for me. I owed it to myself to at least try and see if what Nan had said could even be remotely true. I'd never know for sure until I gave it shot. What did I have to lose, right?
“I’ll be back in a minute,” I told her as I left the room, running to the front door.
When Betty busted us I left. I could see in my girl's face that she desperately needed her Nan and her advice, so I made my excuses and left them alone, hoping that I hadn't fucked it all to hell. I prayed that given some time, Willow would see what I’m saying is the truth. What I’m offering her was everything she had never known she'd wanted, hell she’s everything I never knew I wanted.
A light tap at my door has me dashing toward it. A huge grin breaks out when I see who is waiting on the other side. My girl.
“Hi,” she said shyly, my heart pounding like a bass drum so loudly I was damn sure she could hear every beat.
“Sweetheart,” I greeted her calmly when I felt anything but calm at this precise moment in time.
“So-”
“So-”
We both started at the same time then promptly burst into laughter, that little gaff breaking the tension that surrounded our situation.
“What I said earlier,” I started but she held up her hand, asking me to stop what I was about to say.
“What you said earlier was so unexpected, Jesse. Not once when we spoke did I ever think you looked at me in that way and those words completely and utterly floored me. You threw me, Jess. You really did. You know I come with baggage and I’m not talking about the kids. I mean with Rob and my housing and money situations but despite knowing all that, you decided to be open and honest with me. You decided that you wanted to take a chance on me, on us and what we might become given that chance. I never expected to be saying this so soon after Rob, but Jesse, if you're willing to then I’d love the chance to get to know you properly, to see if what we have could blossom into more. You have some pretty strong feelings for me considering you don't really know a lot about me but that doesn't scare me off because if you feel all that now imagine how you're gonna feel if we go the distance. At this moment in time we can go slow, a day or date at a time until we know how this is going. What do you think?”
She
broke off from her speech, waiting to hear what I’d say in response. She’s offering me the slow approach, doing this her way until her ex and her troubles are behind her. I’d go for that for now.
She was destined to be my girl and I would have great fun in proving that to her. “What are you doing tomorrow night?” I asked her, smiling when I saw those green eyes of hers light up at my question. Something clicked in me when I fell for Willow. I just needed her to feel the same way about me. In time she would, I was completely sure of it.
“What are you doing tomorrow night?” Jesse asked me, I felt my smile escaping then. He was on board with my idea and I was over the moon.
“Nothing once Kaylee goes to bed.”
He hadn't invited me into his house and part of me was glad for that. I wanted to take this slowly and by going into his house it would be sending him all the wrong signals, especially as I doubted I'd be able to keep my hands to myself.
“Ok, I’ll come and pick you up at eight p.m. Don't even think about standing me up, Willow, ‘cus I’ll only come and find you.”
“It’s a date.” I grinned up at him. As if he’d think I’d ever dream of standing him up. I’m excited for tomorrow, cancelling isn't on my radar in the slightest.
“It most certainly is a date, sweetheart. This is just the start, Willow. Eventually you will be with me, be mine. Just a matter of time.” He enlightened me to how this was going to go. I may have set the pace but he was in charge when it came down to everything else.
I gasped but it was quickly swallowed when he placed his lips against mine softly in the lightest of kisses, almost like he was scared I’d break if he pressed too hard. I stood immobile for a few seconds but as I gathered my wits he pulled away from me, taking a step backwards.
“Goodnight, Willow. I will see you tomorrow.”
“Goodnight,” I said softly as I stepped backwards, turning to head back to my nan’s house.
Nan was still where I left her sat in her recliner. This time she's reading on her e-reader which brought a smile to my face.
“Would you mind if I went out after Kaylee goes to bed tomorrow?” I asked her as I took a seat on the sofa.
Placing the e-reader beside her, she looked over to me. “Why would I mind?”
I shrugged my shoulders at her question. “I'm going on a date with Jesse and I just wanted to run it by you before I went. Kaylee would be in bed and Nate will be too occupied in his room to even noticed I'm gone.”
“Willow. Go out, have fun, and for the love of God do the things I'm too old to do.” Throwing me a wink she started reading again, getting back into whatever story that's caught her attention.
I say nothing else as I stand up from my seat, but before leaving the room, I walk closer to her and plant a loving kiss on the top of her head. “Love you, Nan,” I whispered.
“I love you too, Willow. More than you will ever know,” she replied in a rare display of affection from her making it all the more special.
“Where are we going?” I asked Jesse as he drove us through the quiet streets. I had looked forward to this date all day, getting ready earlier than was necessary, but now I was nervous. It's been years since I've been on a date and I wasn't too sure how I should be acting. I was completely out of my element.
Nan had been uncharacteristically nice, helping me get the kids dinner sorted out and chasing me up the stairs to start getting ready, telling me she could help the kids with their homework. She'd even given me her seal of approval when she saw what I'd chosen to wear. My favorite black skinny jeans with a fitted chiffon shirt teamed with my flat ballerina pumps had me thinking that this was best I'd felt for a while. Jesse told me as much once I'd jumped into his waiting truck, his eyes roaming over my outfit taking me all in. His intense stare set off that burning inside of me again, it was like he was connected to me. Every look, every touch sent me into a tailspin.
“It's a secret.” I gave him a glare which had him chuckling. “You'll love it. I promise.”
I had no choice but to enjoy the view as we drove toward our destination and I wasn't entirely talking about the view from the windows. Jesse was looking so handsome this evening. He too had black jeans on with a flannel shirt. I could see a dark tee peeking out the top of his shirt. He wore black chucks which I loved. I was all for men wearing boots and such but you couldn't beat a pair of chucks. As usual, his hair looked like the only styling he had done is to run a hand through it, the length curling around his ears. He really did look hot. I wanted nothing more than to touch him, to have him kiss me like he did last night but I was playing the long game and didn't they say good things come to those who wait and I am expecting very good things when it came to Jesse Baker. Great things in fact!
It was just starting to get dark when we pulled up outside a beautiful home. “Wow, Jess. This house looks amazing,” I exclaimed as I got out of the car, taking a few moments to have a good look at the house before me.
It really was like one of those homes you could only ever dream about owning, one that people wrote about or what you saw in the movies. The colonial house was painted a cream color, its pillars standing proudly, lit up to ward off the oncoming darkness. It had two floors with lots of garden space. It really was a dream house. A house I could never see myself being able to own in my lifetime.
I turned to see Jesse staring at me, an odd expression on his face. “What are we doing here?” I asked him quizzically.
“I’ve been asked to have a look around. Travis said that the owners were looking into having some work done.” He shrugged his shoulders and took my hand, leading me up the path toward the house’s deep blue door. Despite the lights on the porch being on, the rest of the house was in darkness.
“Where are the owners now? Doesn't look like anyone is home,” I tell him worriedly. I didn't want us to get accused of trying to break in!
“Don't worry, sweetheart. It's all in hand. The owners are out of town for a few days and they dropped off a spare set of keys for us to use.”
“Does that happen often?” I quizzed him. “There's no way I’d leave keys to my house with strangers.” I couldn't get over the naivety of some people these days. Did they not watch the news?
“It happens more than you’d like to think but luckily for us, we have a great reputation and that means customers trust us.” I nodded my head, still stumped at his revelation.
He produced the keys and opened the door, leading us into the house. He flipped a switch which flooded the entryway with light, taking my breath away. If I thought the outside was stunning, it definitely didn't hold a candle to what I was seeing now.
A huge staircase sat off to the right of the hall, dark wooden floors gleamed and reflected the light. Archways led us into a living room which was just as magnificent as the rest of the house. Sunken floors housed a huge grey sectional sofa. Patio doors led out into a yard of which I couldn't see because of the dark but I could only imagine that it was as impressive as everything else I’d seen.
“Wow, Jess. The house is just something else! Are the owners sure they require work cause from where I’m standing it looks perfect to me,” I told him honestly. How could they want to change anything, it was amazing and I know if it was my home I wouldn't change a damn thing.
“Shall we have a look upstairs?” he asked me. “It’s got four bedrooms, the master bedroom has an en suite but there's another bathroom that's used by the rest of the house.”
“You sound like a realtor,” I joked as he guided me up the stairs into the master bedroom. I was completely blown away. Their children’s rooms were decorated tastefully making me think that they'd done that so the room grew with the child, eliminating countless times of redecorating. I’m in love with this house and as we move from room to room I fall deeper and deeper, but as we descend the stairs a pang of sadness sets in.
“What's wrong, sweetheart?” Jesse asked, obviously catching the change in my mood.
Shaking my head, I trie
d to brush him off, feeling stupid for being jealous of the people who owned such a beautiful house.
“Come on, Will. You know you can talk to me about anything,” he coaxed, his brow furrowing as he tried to figure out what was wrong with me.
“It’s this.” I waved my hand around indicating the house. “It just dawned on me that I’ll never be able to afford something like this and I guess I got a little jealous.” I tried to muster a smile for him and failed.
He chuckled and pulled me into his chest, I could feel it rumbling with his deep laughter. I tried to pull away but he held firm. “One day, baby. One day you will have everything you ever wanted.”
I angled my head so I could see his face. “Do you have a crystal ball somewhere I don't know about?” I teased him good naturedly.
“No, Willow. I just know.” The answer wasn't really an answer but I decided to drop the subject and talk about something else.
“So is this our date?” I inquired. As much as I loved him showing me around, I was keen to see what else he'd possibly got in store for us tonight.
“No, this was on the way so I thought I would pop in. Kill two birds with one stone.”
I punched him playfully in the stomach and he let me go, his chuckles following me as we left the house. I waited patiently while he turned off the lights and locked it back up again. Pocketing the keys, he grabbed my hand. “Date time, sweetheart. Let’s go.”
The homeowners didn't really want anything done on the house. The house, in fact had been for sale. It was by pure chance I came across it today. After meeting with a potential client the GPS took me down the wrong road and as I drove by the For Sale sign caught my eye. Something about the house made me stop and ring the number on the board.
The realtor had dropped the keys off at the site a few hours later and I knew I had to show Willow this house. I knew she’d love it and I was right. I could see the way my girl’s eyes sparkled when she caught sight of the house for the first time. Luckily for me, she never noticed the For Sale sign, thank God. Her reaction was everything I knew it would be, and call me presumptuous or just plain stupid, but I messaged the realtor once I locked the house up telling him to make an offer to the seller. I had told Willow the truth earlier. One day she would have a house like this, fingers crossed it just so happened to be this house.