“Okay,” she answers back simply while wrapping her arms around my neck again.
“Okay?” I question back making sure I heard that right. That was the last thing I expected coming out of her pretty mouth. She nods her head at me and I can feel a smile creeping onto my face.
“Chase I know sometimes you might feel like this is a one sided relationship but I love you with all of my heart. I’ve never loved someone as much as I love you. I know it’s a little harder for me to express that sometimes because I’m just not used to having someone like that in my life other than Ally and Caleb.
I know I messed up when I didn’t listen to you before about what really happened and I’m thankful that you didn’t just forget about me and move on. And then I tell you I want to take things slow and you disappear for a week. I don’t know if you planned it but I couldn’t stand that you were gone and I wasn’t with you. I love you and I’ll do anything to make this work no matter how fast you want to take things.”
She reaches up and tentatively touches her full lips to mine like she’s afraid I’ll pull back but I’m not going anywhere. I pick her up and twirl her around the room and she locks her legs around my waist before I return her kiss with an even fiercer one by crushing our lips together until I gently open her mouth with my tongue and the tension that I’ve felt over the past month instantly melts away with the taste of Leah.
She gently ends the kiss and I set her feet back onto the ground.
“Sooo,” I drag out. “I’m probably really pushing it but I guess it’s all or nothing right? Do you want to move back in with me like for real this time, not just half of your stuff over but everything? It’ll be our apartment, not just mine. We can buy new dishes, you can hang up all of the girly shit you want, you can even paint the bedroom pink and add all those frilly pillows you like. I was even thinking maybe we could find a place halfway between campus and my new job in the fall that way we would both only have like a thirty minute drive each way. That’s not too bad right?”
I drone on and on until she puts a finger to my lips to quiet my rambling and simply answers. “Yes.”
“Yes? Really? Jeez Leah your being really easy tonight,” I say as I swing her around the room again. I was not expecting this much agreement out of Leah ever.
“Did you just call me easy?” She leans up and whispers into my ear after wrapping her legs snuggly around my waist again. Right where they belong.
“Let’s go back to our apartment and I’ll show you just how easy I can be. We have a little time before Caleb needs to be picked up.”
“I won’t argue with you there,” I say as I hoist her small body over my shoulder and sprint towards the front door before flicking off the lights. “It’s been a really long and lonely month. Oh and by the way Allys picking up Caleb, they’re having a sleepover. Your mine for the night. Hope you’re not tired cause we aren’t getting any sleep.”
Chapter 27
Leah
After probably the most incredible night of my life before, during, and after dinner and all night long, I went home and thanked Ally for helping Chase set me up. I broke the news to her that I would officially be moving in with Chase whenever we found a place. Chase already had a list of places to check out but we wanted to take Caleb with us so he could help us decide.
I was honestly a little scared about what her reaction would be, I felt like I was ditching my best friend especially after she just broke up with Skylar. But Ally was super excited that we worked things out since she was convinced that we’re in fact soul mates. Our lease on the apartment was up at the end of the spring semester anyways and Ally had wanted to move into her sorority’s house but didn’t want to leave me and Caleb so I guess I solved that dilemma for her.
Within a week of looking at literally millions of apartments and rental houses, we found one in a nice area with not too bad of a commute for the both of us and still in our budget. I knew Chase would have a regular salary now but I still wanted to contribute as much as I could.
We found a small three bedroom house in a neighborhood that looked to be filled with young families and I’m sure Caleb would make friends instantly. There was a small kitchen with newer appliances that I was excited to be able to cook in, a master bedroom with a private bathroom for me and Chase, and a decently sized bedroom for Caleb. We figured the third bedroom could be an office/ playroom. The swingset that the old tenants left behind was the selling point for Caleb of course.