Authors: Suzan Battah
“Hello… Dylan.” Julia greeted him with a warm smile.
Chris picked his brother up. He turned with him to look apologetically at Julia.
“Hi,” Dylan responded shyly, hugging Chris’ neck tighter and hiding his face.
Ryan took Daniela’s hand, tugging at her to leave. But Julia’s relatives, who loved children, had gathered around to talk with Dylan. In the background, Ryan’s voice rose slightly. Daniela stalked forward and grabbed her son from Chris’ arms.
Dylan promptly started crying. “I want to stay! Mommy, please!”
Julia’s heart went out to him. Daniela stopped there in the middle of the courtyard and set him back down hard on the ground. Claire gasped and quickly went over to pick the young boy up into her arms, while Daniela started to leave.
“Excuse me, please,” Ryan forced out, grabbing his wife’s arm again and propelling her out of the courtyard.
They didn’t come back. In the awkward moment that followed, Chris’ friends waved their goodbyes and soon it was quiet in the courtyard.
Dylan clung to Chris. “Where’s Mommy? Is she coming back with Daddy?”
“I don’t think so, buddy, but don’t worry. You can stay with me tonight.” Chris glanced at Julia, his eyes pleading for help.
Julia smoothed Dylan’s dark hair away from his eyes and said cheerily, “We’re going to have a sleep-over at the Augustine tonight! I’m sure Chris has got some of your
pajamas
around somewhere.”
Chris agreed and set his brother down in a chair. “I’m sorry the night didn’t end so well,” he muttered to his mother and Julia.
The party was clearly over. Caterers started filing through to pack up. A sleepy Dylan lay against Chris’ shoulder, being rocked back and forth in a comforting way.
Claire gazed at Julia. “Doesn’t he look wonderful with children?”
“He looks just divine,” Julia whispered.
Chris slowly turned, glancing down at her with an odd expression on his face. Realizing her mistake, Julia started to fidget under his close scrutiny.
Claire and Hilda began to chatter excitedly. Julia could still sense Chris’ eyes on her.
Chapter Twenty-Three
The tension of the family party vanished quickly and soon they were off to look for a new place for Chris to live. Chris’ requirements were not extreme. He wanted no roommates, no Augustine clients, just his own private sanctuary. As they drove to the first prospective place, she glanced over at Chris. Focusing his attention on buying a new place would give her the time she needed.
The first open house was a brief moment of walking in and straight back out. The house was too large for both their tastes, with a small echo that reverberated off the walls when she opened her mouth to speak. No amount of furniture could fix that, it just wasn’t right.
As they were leaving, Julia couldn’t help but laugh, thinking how annoying it would be to live in that place.
“What’s so funny?”
“We most definitely can’t live there.”
“Why?” He pressed the central locking for his car.
She hugged him tighter around the waist, leaning up to whisper in his ear the reason she found it funny. He burst out laughing. “The
neighbors
would not like that one bit,” he agreed with a smirk.
They stopped at a café to eat for lunch, before meeting up with the real estate agent to view a private complex of condos. “This is a very popular area for young couples,” the agent enthused brightly as they got out in the spacious parking area. “Restaurants and shops nearby.”
“But not the beach,” Chris said as they followed the agent into the condo. “The price is ridiculously high, considering how far it is from the beach.”
But he didn’t mind the condo itself, and gave Julia an inquisitive glance. She shook her head decisively. She didn’t like it at all. The interior had too many walls everywhere and small rooms. In fact, she disliked it so much, she didn’t bother going through the whole house. The agent was still trying to sell its qualities as they walked out the door.
The next house they pulled up to was a few streets off the main beach strip. According to the pamphlet, the main bedroom had a gorgeous view of the ocean.
Chris said only, “This looks good.” He appeared reserved and thoughtful as they emerged from the car to meet the agent. But she could see the excitement in his eyes. She knew him all too well. The house was close to the beach and nothing else would matter.
But as she stood looking over the fence, she found herself agreeing. This might work. It was a six-bedroom house, only five years old, and in excellent condition, built on two levels with a large block of land with a massive fence surrounding the property. It was just the right size they were looking for, not too large but with plenty of room to grow.
The front gate creaked as she pushed it open. She walked through the immaculate landscaped gardens and found them beautifully arranged, neat, and carefully maintained. Julia had to admit she liked the house already, even before she saw the inside.
“The owners of this property are moving to LA next week,” the agent announced. “They have a price set, but are willing to negotiate. There is a tennis court, pool, and spa, six large bedrooms all with walk-in closets, and there’s plenty of land. And there is a gorgeous view
out onto the water from the main bedroom.” He guided them through the front door. “There is a great area out the back for entertaining, and the high fence will ensure your privacy,
Mr.
Augustine.”
Julia could tell Chris liked the house a lot. His expression suggested he would be happy signing the deal right then and there, even before he knew the price— of course, Chris was rich. He didn’t have to worry about the price.
Julia hadn’t grown up wealthy, so she was a little more careful. But as they continued to inspect the property, she fell in love with the place. It felt very homey, and she started to visualize where furniture would go. The open plan ensured a spacious area to live and that made it very appealing to her. There was warmth in the place that the previous properties didn’t have. The owners had truly made this their home.
“Let’s go look at the bedrooms.” Chris took her hand, pulling her up the massive staircase. When the agent wasn’t looking, he gave Julia a wicked smile, lowering his voice. “What do you think about waking up here? With me?”
“Well, it’s….”
Julia couldn’t answer because they had reached the top of the stairs and through the open doorway of the main bedroom, the scene of the tide rolling in came into view. “Oh! It’s beautiful.” She could definitely wake up to this every morning with Chris next to her. The prospect took her breath away. “I love it. It feels like a home.”
“I want it.” Chris wrapped his arms around her waist, while they both gazed at the view. “I’m glad you like it. That makes it a lot easier, we both love it.”
“So what do you think?” The agent joined them, standing back with a wide smile on his face.
They turned at the same time. Julia knew he had overheard their conversation.
“I’ll get it,” Chris responded.
He was jumping in too quick. She couldn’t speak at first. The agent looked overjoyed with Chris’ quick decision, nodding and offering his congratulations. He was too impulsive.
“Wait.” She was finally able to speak.
“Have the contract sent over to the Augustine.” Chris frowned at her, raising a questioning brow.
Julia couldn’t grasp what possessed her to halt him, but she did. She stopped Chris as he began to pull out his wallet to hand over a business card.
“How much are they asking?” She searched the pamphlet for some indication to the asking price.
Chris waved his hand in dismissal before the agent even got a chance to open his mouth. “Don’t worry about it.” He grabbed the pamphlet out of her hand, a strange expression on his face as he glanced down at her. “Money is not an issue.”
“Chris?” She tried to take the pamphlet back.
“Could you give us a minute?” Chris folded the pamphlet in his hands, slipping it into his pocket.
“I’ll wait for you downstairs.” The agent was quick to duck out of the room.
His eyes came back to her. Julia was surprised by the sudden anger in him. “Tell me something,” he said, pulling her hand and walking out onto the open balcony. “Can you see us waking up together in this room? I’m asking about how you feel about me and this house.”
Julia felt the change in his body. He was tense, almost rigid, and his eyes were sad beneath all the anger. “Yes, but Chris…”
“What, Julia?” he snapped, holding up his hands in surrender. “I don’t get it.”
Julia took a step back, unable to explain what was making her nervous about Chris buying the house. She wanted the house, could even see herself living there with Chris, sharing a new life. But something made her hesitate. “The house is beautiful. It’s the first one
we both like. But don’t you think you should be a bit careful? Find out what the price is. You know it might not be worth the price.” She silently berated herself for saying something so stupid. Of course she believed it was worth it. She wanted the house just as much as he did. And he could afford a dozen houses.
Chris’ gaze pierced into hers. His lips thinned with the muscle in his jaw pulsing in tension. “You mean… we’re not worth it.” He turned to walk away.
“That’s not what I meant!” Aggravated that he didn’t get her meaning, she pulled him back. “Why are you so upset?”
Chris shrugged, heading for the stairs. Julia followed him down the stairs. “Forget it. We’ll talk about it when we have more privacy.”
The agent was dumbfounded not to get an immediate offer. Julia could see him scratching his head as they drove off.
It didn’t take long for them to get back to her place. Chris could hardly look at her. She felt terrible, wanting to reach out and comfort him. As they pulled up to her drive, she was thankful that her roommates weren’t home. She and Chris were fighting. She didn’t want any witnesses to their argument.
“Come in, Chris, please.” She unbuckled her seatbelt.
“No.”
Sighing, she tried again. “Please, I don’t want this anger between us. Come in, we’ll talk.”
Reluctantly, he followed her into the house. As soon as they crossed the threshold and he shut the door, she finally met his gaze.
“I don’t understand,” she said. “I’m just being cautious. I love that house. We… you should be careful, that’s all. ”
“For me, our life together is priceless,” he snapped coolly. “If you weren’t so ashamed of us, you’d probably see that too. You included yourself and then took it away. I don’t get it.”
“I’m not like you, Chris, so certain all the time.” Her breath caught in her throat, and her chest tightened. She tried to hide her uncertainty, but he had this ability to read her so well. Sometimes she hated that.
“You’re afraid of something. What? Love?” He shook his head as if he had discovered a secret. “I should have seen it.”
“I just think we need… we need to maybe….” She started playing with her necklace, dropping it when he raised a brow at her. “We need to slow it down, cool it a bit.”
“Why?” he demanded.
She forged on with her argument. “Everything ends, sooner or later.”
His hard look bore down into her and she found the angry heat in the room suffocating.
“What’s going on, Julia?”
Julia paced back and forth. She felt trapped. And she couldn’t explain. She didn’t want to lose him like she lost Carlos. She could see the end all too quick. A force of panic overtook her. She didn’t know what she could say to make him recognize where she was coming from.
“I don’t want to rush.” Julia cleared her throat and without another word, headed for the kitchen for some water. “I don’t want to ever get married, that’s it.”
Chris’ eyes flittered for a moment, as he gritted out quietly, “I haven’t asked you to marry me.”
She let out a pained breath, almost choking. “Well good, because I won’t go through that again.”
At this point she was too emotional. It would have been best to cool off first and take a breather. He was angry and nothing she could say would placate him. So as far as she was concerned, they were done with the argument.
But he wasn’t done. He made a frustrated noise and followed her into the kitchen. “You mean you’ve already decided the answer because you might change your mind!”
“Don’t put words into my mouth,” Julia snapped. She didn’t like that he was twisting everything she was saying into something else. Obviously, he wasn’t going to let this go.
“I’m in love with you. I want you to marry me, Julia Mendoza. I haven’t asked yet, but I am now. So tell me, is your answer still no?”
“Don’t be mad.” She went to touch him, but he wouldn’t let her reach out to him. Tense and immovable, he had a look of betrayal as he took a few deep breaths.
She took advantage of his silence to explain. “I’ve been married before and it hurts when it goes wrong. I’m just protecting you.” She peered at him, but he didn’t move. “Let’s take it slow, make sure it’s not going to end. That’s not a nice feeling, Chris. I’ve felt it. I’d prefer us not to jump in so quick, take it…”
“Slow?” he growled, turning on her. “I tell you I love you, I’ve fallen blindly drunk in love, and you turn around and suggest we wait to make sure it’s not going to end. Oh, Julia, you have no idea.”
She blanched. “What do you mean, I have no idea? Did you not hear what I just said? I know how quickly marriage ends, Chris!” She pointed at him, angry now. “So should you. Your parents divorced, my husband died. Sorry to disappoint you, but there is no such thing as happily ever after.”
“I’m not my father and I’m not Carlos.” He pulled her into an embrace. “And I believe in happily ever after. I thought you believed too.”
Julia broke away from him, wanting him to say and do something that would hurt her, so she could blame him also. But she knew the truth. They were fighting because of her. He was accusing her of being false and now everything was
unraveling
. She had to confess her feelings. Telling the truth was the only way he would understand.
“I don’t believe in that,” she murmured. “It doesn’t exist… otherwise Carlos wouldn’t have left me and we wouldn’t be having this discussion.”
Chris stood there looking at her. His shocked expression softened suddenly and she couldn’t bear it. She couldn’t bear his pity or anyone else’s pity.
“Julia, Carlos didn’t leave you on purpose.”
“Yes, he did,” she insisted. “And it doesn’t matter whether he meant to or not. Everything ends whether now or later. Where are you going?”
Chris stopped his hand on the doorknob. “I’m done arguing. We’ll talk when we’re calmer.”
“No! We’re not finished yet. You wanted to get everything in the open. I told you from the beginning this wouldn’t work. But you insisted that we try, so we tried.”
He shut the door, coming back into the house. “Do you call that trying? I put everything in, you didn’t. You lied and cheated me every time we were in bed, loving each other and you didn’t even mean it. You promised to be with me in a relationship, but now you’re taking everything without giving anything back.”