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“Do you like it?”
“You never mentioned this.” I ran over to the elaborate white structure that sat on the lake’s edge. “It’s so pretty. It overlooks the whole lake, and you can see all the trees that line your house on the other side.”
“Our house.” He arched a brow at me.
I’d been living in the mansion for almost six months as the renovations were being made to my house. I still referred to it as Huxley’s house even though he always made me feel like it was mine too.
“What a beautiful addition this gazebo is. How did I not know you were having this built?”
“You’ve been busy with school.”
In the fall, I went back to college to finish my degree in hospitality. Huxley had been so involved with the development of the community and I was studying all the time. I looked forward to the winter break.
“They still have to hang that.” He pointed to a sign in the corner that read Ivy’s Place. “It was delivered this morning.”
Last year, I never would have thought that I’d be running my own successful inn, but Huxley made all of this possible.
“Do you see all the carvings of ivy within the gazebo?”
“How clever.” I ran my fingers along the intricately carved wood. “The guests can have coffee out here, or maybe we can do a hot chocolate bar.”
“I was thinking it could also be used for something a bit more grand.”
“Of course you were.” I laughed. “Everything you do is on a larger scale.”
“I haven’t been wrong yet.” He smirked. “Would you like to hear my idea?”
“Tell me, old wise one.”
“Have I mentioned I don’t like Jay’s new nickname for me?”
“Well, you are wise, and old is just a title of respect because of all your infinite wisdom.”
“Hmm.” He ran his fingers along his jaw. “I guess it’s better than some of the other nicknames he’s come up with for me.”
“Like Sugar Daddy, Sexy Santa, and ah…” Maybe I should stop there. Some of them were too dirty to repeat. “My personal favorite is the Silver Fox Daddy, but I think I came up with that one.”
“Maybe we should stick with Old Wise One, after all.”
“Let me hear your idea.” I sat on the bench and shoved my hands in my coat pockets. “But do it quickly, we have to go inside. It’s cold out here.”
“This shouldn’t be rushed.” He glanced around, squinting out at the lake. “If you prefer, I can wait to tell you another day, but I have to warn you, the explanation comes with an offer.”
“The kind that needs to be sealed with a kiss?” I liked those offers.
“And a contract.”
“What kind of contract?” I eyed him suspiciously. “I don’t have another house with lake access. What could I possibly give you this time?”
“It’s something I want to give you.”
“You’ve already given me too much. The construction on the house, you’re paying for school, you’ve given me a beautiful home to live in. You’ve been far too generous.”
“You’ve given me so much more.” He held up his hand. “I’m not referring to the lake access, although because of that, we’re going to take this project to a whole new level.”
“I can’t wait to see where it goes,” I said. “The sky is the limit for you.”
“For us.” He knelt down in front of me and placed his hands on my thighs. “I had this gazebo built because I thought it would be the perfect place for couples to have their wedding ceremonies. Since we have the banquet hall for receptions, this could be the next trendy place to get married.”
