It Started with a Crush by Piper James
Chase
I held my breath while Sage stood motionless, her own breath catching in her throat as she took in the sight before her. My lungs started to burn, so I released the air trapped there to replace it with fresh oxygen.
“Sage?” I whispered, moving around to stand beside her.
She turned her head, her wide blue eyes drowning in tears as she said, “What did you do?”
Before I could answer, her body slammed into mine, her arms squeezing my neck as she cried into my chest. I panicked, wondering not for the first time if I’d been wrong. If my big plan had been a gross miscalculation, and I’d seriously overstepped.
I opened my mouth to apologize, but the words lodged in my chest as Sage pulled me down for a very long, very intense kiss. She poured so much feeling into the act, I nearly drowned in it. And when she pulled back, her lips were smiling widely.
“I take it those are happy tears?” I asked, brushing them away with my thumb.
She turned in my arms and leaned back against me. I hugged her tightly, resting my chin on her shoulder.
“How? When?” she asked, staring at the house I’d spent the last two months tirelessly renovating with my brothers and a secondary crew I hired to help get it done in time.
Sage’s house.
“I could tell you love this place, and you were sad that it had deteriorated the way it had. But it has strong bones and a solid foundation. All it needed was a little TLC.”
The yard was cleared of weeds and debris, with a fresh layer of sod forming a big rectangle around the structure. The porch had been rebuilt, the exterior repaired and painted, and new shutters framed top of the line, retrofit windows. A tall wooden fence spread out from either side, enclosing a large backyard. I’d even had the driveway graded and graveled.
“Want to see the inside?” I asked, and she nodded vigorously as tears continued to drip from her eyes.
Pulling a shiny new key from my pocket, I unlocked the thick oak door the guys had installed and pushed it open. There was a scrambling noise inside, and Sage jumped back with a gasp. I barely contained my laughter as a small white furball rounded the corner and darted toward Sage, yipping happily before skidding to a stop in front of us.
“A puppy?” she asked, her voice filled with wonder as she squatted down to pet the dog.
“She’s a West Highland Terrier,” I said, squatting down next to Sage. “She’s five months old, and the lady at the animal shelter said she’s a good girl. Her owner passed away and none of the family wanted to take her in.”
Sage cuddled the puppy to her chest and turned her eyes to me. “You got me a puppy.”
“Yes,” I said, nodding.
“And you fixed up my house.”
“Merry Christmas,” I said, holding up the key between us.
She stared at it for a long moment before her expression crumbled. She released the dog to cover her face with her hands, great sobs wracking her body. I rubbed her back, fear zipping through me. I had no clue what was happening. Was she upset with me?
“You can change whatever you want,” I offered, my words quick and panicked. “Belle helped me pick out the flooring and countertops, and Ember chose the furnishings and decorative elements. I wanted to be sure you’d like it, but if they got it wrong, just tell me. We can rip everything out and start over, if you want.”
She shook her head, her hands still covering her face as she cried even harder. I stood, pulling her up with me before taking her in my arms. I rubbed her back, and whispered an apology in her ear.
“I’m sorry, Sage. I never meant to make you cry.”
She shook her head and pulled back to look into my face. Sniffing loudly, she whispered, “Thank you. For the house, the puppy. For loving me as much as you do. Thank you.”
She reached into the pocket of her jacket and pulled out a small square box. With a teary smile, she handed it to me and said, “Merry Christmas.”
I let go of her and took the present, my lips curving upward as I noticed the wrapping paper—tiny little corn dogs on a royal blue background. Ripping it open, I pulled the lid off and stared at what was inside with confusion.
“A key?” I asked, pulling it from the box and holding it up.
“It’s to my apartment,” she said with a self-deprecating laugh. “I know your lease is coming to an end in a couple of months, and I was going to ask you and Daniel to move in with me.”
“I say yes,” I said quickly, pulling her back into my arms. “One hundred percent yes, we will move in with you.”
“We’ll have to exchange that key for one that fits this door,” she said, running a hand over the blue-painted wood.
“You really like it?” I asked as my eyes traced a single tear tracing a path down her cheek.
“I love it.”
“You haven’t even seen the inside yet,” I said, one corner of my mouth turning up.
“Doesn’t matter,” she said matter-of-factly. “I know I’m going to love every inch of it, especially if you and Daniel are here to share it with me and Peaches.”
“Peaches?”
She pointed at the dog. “Peaches.”
I threw my head back and laughed before tugging her into my arms. “I love you so much.”
“I love you, too,” she said, giving me a peck on the lips. “Now, let’s see the rest of the house so I can decide in which room I’m going to give you your other Christmas present.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I said quickly, bending over to scoop up Peaches before leading her into the house.
Our house. One we would fill with laughter and love. And one day, hopefully, the walls would be graced with wedding pictures, and Daniel would race around with a younger sibling or two.
Because Sage Barlow was it for me. It started with a crush, and turned into something real. Something lasting.
And I was going to cherish it, and her, forever.
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Thank you for reading Sage and Chase’s story. I hope you enjoyed it, and I’d love it if you could leave a review.
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Read ahead for a sneak peek of Red River Romps #3, It started with a Crack
It Started with a Crack
