Page 82 of Yours, Forever

"What? That fast?"

I shrugged and threw my phone on the bed. I put the plate with toast on Eva's lap, and took a slice for myself. "Ricardo, my realtor, said that the office holding the paperwork was ecstatic to hear we're interested. It seems they had forgotten all about it, and look forward to moving the property and getting rid of it."

"That bad?" She nibbled at her own piece of toast.

"Don't get me wrong. Ricardo said the papers suggest it's in decent shape, and he's already looking at inspectors. It's more that the papers are held in another town, when the local realtor moved away from Laguna Island a few years ago. They mostly don't want to deal much with properties here anymore, but still hold a few in their docket."

She nodded. "What's the listing price?"

"Zero for you."

She dropped her toast back on the plate. "Max."

"Don't dwell, darling. I considered sending a letter to the owners, telling them a personal story about why we want thishouse and that if they sold the house to us, I would make a donation in their name to a charity of their choice. You know what Ricardo said, though?"

She watched me carefully, her cautious, deep brown eyes locked on me.

"The house is owned by a corporation. Us buying it and making a life in it will bring life back into it. It will make it into a home again. I think that's a beautiful thing. And I can make a donation to someone regardless."

Her gaze softened, and a small, tired smile appeared on her lips. "You're trying to make me think this will make you happy."

"It will make me happy, darling."

She sighed. "It's not fair. I don't have the energy to fight you."

"Oh, don't tell me that. Don't you know I'm going to want to ask for more now?"

"You wouldn't." She grabbed her toast again and took another bite. "It's one of the reasons I'm going to let you do it."

We ate mostly in silence after that. Later, I kissed her temple on the way out.

I checked on Eva throughout the day; she napped and rested like a good girl. I would have imagined she would have fought me more, but she didn't.

Night came. From my spot at the table, I watched her doze off. Once I thought she'd fallen asleep, I silently went into her room and attempted to turn off her lamp.

She put a hand on mine to stop me. "No, don't."

"You're falling asleep."

"Are you coming to bed soon?"

Her question landed on my chest with a pang. She wanted me to sleep with her again.

I spoke softly. "I thought I'd go back to the other room; let you rest."

"Wasn't my mom super rude and left it messy?"

"I cleaned it up earlier." I ran my fingers through her hair, clearing it from her temple.

She lifted tired eyes my way. "Stay."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I find that I like your company, after all."

I squinted at her. "You're not high on cold medication, are you?"

"I'm not. I never take more than the recommended dose. I just… you've been sweet today. The other bed is small for you."