The interlocking brick driveway veers to the right, where there’s enough space for eight or so cars.
My eyes whip to Glenn’s. He doesn’t say a word. Simply grins at me like a fool as he pulls his cell phone out of the holder on his belt.
He dials a number. Then I hear him say, “Hey, Sandra. It’s Glenn Baxter. I’m in front of the house. Great, see you shortly.”
“Who was that?” I ask Glenn, although I know who it had to be. At least I think I know who it had to be.
“That was the real estate agent.”
“Glenn! What are you doing? And when did you arrange to meet a real estate agent here? We’ve been together the whole time.”
“I called her when you went to use the restroom. And don’t get too excited. You don’t know if you’ll like it.”
“Not like it? Glenn!” I look out at the line of trees dividing this property from the next one. In the distance, I can see the glistening waters of Lake Lanier. I want to throw my arms around him and squeeze the life out of him.
“I’ve always wanted a house on the water. And look at this place. I love the stucco. All the trees for privacy. The size of the land. What is it, an acre?”
“A little larger than that.”
“Glenn!”
“Don’t get excited…”
“How can I not get excited? It’ll be a longer drive to get to work, yes, but this is the kind of house…” My voice trails off when I look at it.
“The kind of house you raise a family in,” he supplies for me.
I could become an emotional mess right about now. I’m seeing my dreams come to fruition at a time I didn’t expect it. When I’d convinced myself the dream no longer mattered to me.
“What are you doing, Glenn?”
“I want to see if you like the place. Then we’ll go from there.”
I throw my arms around his neck and kiss him. A deep kiss that goes on and on. It stokes the embers of my love for him.
We pull apart when we hear the sound of a car pulling up beside us. A pretty, dark-haired woman jumps out of a silver Lexus, smiling apologetically.
Glenn and I get out of my BMW.
“I’m so sorry I’m late,” she says. “Got stuck in a bit of traffic.”
“It’s fine,” Glenn assures her.
“Lishelle Jennings.” Sandra offers me her hand, and I shake it. “I’d know you anywhere. I love you on Channel Four News.”
“Oh, thank you.”
“I’m Sandra Holloway.”
“So nice to meet you.”
Sandra turns and starts for the house. Glenn and I fall into step beside her. “I hope you like it as much as Glenn does,” Sandra says to me.
“I’m sure I will,” I reply. But I’m shocked to hear Glenn has already seen it. When? He just got back to the city last night.
I gasp my delight the moment Sandra opens the door. The massive foyer boasts cathedral ceilings and a double staircase heading upstairs. The entire area is covered in hardwood floors.
“There are six bedrooms, five bathrooms.”
“Oh. My. God.” I step into the house.
“Cherrywood floors,” Sandra continues. “There’s also a staircase at the back of the house that leads upstairs. Ten-foot ceilings throughout, except the foyer and family room, where there’re cathedral ceilings.”
“I love this place.”
“I figured you’d like modern,” Glenn tells me.
“I love the modern look. It’s also got some classical touches,” I comment as I look at the moldings in the nearby living room.
“It’s a mix of styles,” Sandra informs me. “European, traditional, colonial.”
“Whatever it is, it’s stunning.”
“Do you like to cook?” Sandra asks.
“I love to cook. When I’ve got the time.”
“You should see the kitchen.”
Sandra leads us to the back of the house. I actually start to giggle, that’s how giddy with excitement I am.
“All maple cabinets,” Sandra says proudly. “And this breakfast bar could seat twenty.”
I tune Sandra out as I make my way to the floor-to-ceiling glass windows at the back of the house. “Look at that pool!”
“It’s an Olympic-size lap pool,” she comments. “Heated. With a Jacuzzi.”
“And that’s the lake,” Glenn tells me, pointing through the thicket of trees.
A house on the water. I could die.
The rest of the house only gets better. There are two master-bedroom suites, both with excessive closet space. There’s a den, an office. Hardwood floors throughout.
Sandra’s grinning as she faces me. “So, you like?”
“I love it. What’s it selling for?”
“It’s listed for eight ninety-nine, but I’m sure you can get it for eight twenty-five. It’s vacant right now. You could move in anytime.”
“It’s a little pricey,” Glenn comments.
“But such an incredible home,” Sandra interjects. “An investment, really.”
“The best kind of investment,” I say. I don’t just mean for real estate property. I’m thinking family here, and marriage.
Glenn must be thinking this, too.
When we arrive back in the foyer, Sandra says, “I’ll let you two roam around without me as a third wheel.”
I take Glenn’s hand and head back up the stairs to the master bedroom that has a stunning view of the lake. I look out at it, shaking my head in disbelief.
“What?” Glenn asks.
“It’s just…this has always been my dream. To have a place like this on the water…”
“Why do you think we’re here?”
My heart stops beating as I face him.
“Don’t you think I remember what you always used to say—that you wanted a place on the water one day? A great place to raise a family?”
For a moment, I can’t speak. “You remember that?”
“When it comes to you, there’s not much I forget.”
I clearly have forgotten some things. I forgot how romantic Glenn can be, how he would surprise me on occasion.
“What about that view from the kitchen?” he asks. “And we haven’t even been outside yet. There’s a tennis court.”
“Why am I not surprised? I love it. The entire place is amazing.” I glance around the master bedroom. Not only does it have a living-room area to the left offset by columns, it has a fireplace.
“Look.” Glenn points out the window.
“What?” I ask.
“On the lake. Don’t you see it?”
“See what?” My eyes search, but I see nothing out of the ordinary. And when Glenn doesn’t respond, I turn around to face him.
He’s on one knee, holding a ring box in his hand.
A