Page 86 of Indescribable Love

“Other than the fact that you’re constantly saying how small it is, how much you don’t love it, and, again, I can’t stress this too strongly, how small it is?” Luckily, she laughed with him.

“Okay. Fine. It really isn’t a great option, but I’m going to be sad to see it go. That was my first actual apartment on my own and so many career highs and lows happened there.”

“If you really wanted to…”

“No, you’re right. It’s time to move on to this new phase of life and making new memories.”

“That’s my girl.”

“So…” Moving away from him, she reached over for her phone on the bedside table. “Let’s take a look at some towns and cities to consider.”

“We really don’t have to right this minute. At least not to research. I was just curious if you were thinking LA or in the neighborhood where we stayed or…”

“I don’t think we need anything big,” she commented as she went to one of the popular real estate sites. “It’s just the two of us, so maybe a three bedroom so we can have people come and visit…”

“Just the two of us, for now,” he added. “Like Noah and Lily, I’d like to plan a little for the future and…”

Gasping, she turned to him with wide eyes. “Simon…I…”

He immediately knew it was too soon for this particular conversation. “House. Let’s focus on finding a house right now. The rest can wait.”

She visibly relaxed, nodding. “Okay.” Then she paused. “But…I want you to know, I wasn’t shocked because I don’t want what you were saying. I was shocked because…I didn’t realize you wanted those things too.”

Taking the phone from her hand, he tossed it aside before reaching for her. “I want all those things with you. Only you.”

Smiling, they sank back against the pillows and left all the talk of houses and futures for tomorrow. They were far more interested in the emotions and feelings they had right now.

Tomorrow was another glorious day with endless possibilities.

Epilogue

Three months later…

“We really didn’t plan this very well,” Juliette murmured to herself, even as a little voice inside her head assured her that it was fine.

But looking around, she worried over everything. They had moved into their new house in Montecito less than a week ago, and she had just finished unpacking the last box. Everything was in its place and no one would be able to tell that they had just moved in, but she was exhausted.

The house had been only the third one they’d looked at, but as soon as they’d pulled up to it, she’d known it was the one. Simon had readily agreed. It looked like something out of an Italian village to her and the Mediterranean architecture sealed the deal. The house had five bedrooms, six bathrooms, indoor and outdoor living spaces, a media room, a room for a studio for Simon, and the best part? It had views of the Santa Ynez mountains. The view from their bedroom was positively breathtaking and it was hard to believe this was their home.

Then there was the condo in Brooklyn they’d purchase the month before. So saying life had been busy was an understatement.

Today was a big deal because Simon’s family was arriving for the private screening of the tour film. Tomorrow was the public premiere, but they were hosting the private viewing here at the house tonight with just family and friends. All of the guestrooms were going to be used—Noah and Lily had one, Jax had another, Simon’s mother had one, and then Nikki, Celia, and Alex had the last one. It was going to be wonderful having everyone here and showing off the house, but she’d never entertained on this scale and it made her just a wee bit twitchy.

All around her, caterers and the event planner’s staff were scurrying around and all she wanted was a few minutes to herself to breathe. As if on cue, Simon came strolling toward her.

“Hey, beautiful. How about joining me for a little snack outside?”

Juliette glanced over his shoulder. “The rental people are out there setting up the tent. I don’t want to get in the way.”

“Hmm…okay. How about the bedroom?” He waggled his eyebrows at her. “I was thinking some fresh fruit, maybe a small charcuterie…a couple of cookies…”

“Are you insane? We can’t go in the kitchen and make all of that! The caterer’s in there working on the food for tonight!”

“Hang on one sec,” he said before walking away. She was standing in the middle of their living room wondering if she should have gotten more fresh flowers when Simon returned with a tray. “Like I was going to go in the kitchen and disturb anyone. Pfft…”

“Then where did that tray of food come from?”

“I simply asked and they said it was no trouble. Easy.”