Forgiven Read Online Free Page B

accommodate the two of us. There is a chrome water fountain for the faucet. There are double vanities on separate walls. Most girls would be thankful for a separate space because I’ve heard most guys are slobs when it comes to bathrooms, but Bradley is the clean one, not me.
    I let go of his hand and slowly spin myself. “I don’t know what else to say...when can we move in?” The house is vacant. Surely it won’t take that long. I look to Maggie.
    She glances to Bradley. “Mr. Banks said he would be financing the home, so it will probably take about thirty days for the loan to close.”
    I turn my head back to Bradley puzzled. “As opposed to what, paying cash?” Who pays cash for a house like this? Who pays cash for a house, period?
    He nods. “I won’t finance it if you want to move in quicker than that. It’s just...”
    I feel all the color drain from my face. I knew that he was loaded, but I don’t even think I realized just how loaded he apparently is. The thought of paying cash for a house like this overwhelms me. “Gabby, I have a trust fund. A very large trust fund. But I’ve spent my entire life working hard because I don’t want to be a trust fund brat.” He wraps his arm around me and pulls me close, lifting my chin. “I’ll use it if you want. I’ll do anything for you.”
    I shake my head and swallow hard. “No, I’m good with financing.” I realize in that moment financing a home has never sounded so good. It’s the normal thing to do. The thought of him handing over that kind of money for me makes me want to vomit. Not only that, I would never want him to do something that his heart isn’t into.
    “You sure?”
    “Positive.”
    He leans down and plants the gentlest, sweetest, lingering kiss onto my lips. When he’s done, all I can do is touch them. My entire body feels like Jello, and more than anything in the world, I wish I could fast forward six months and know that standing in this exact spot, that kiss would have come from my husband. I hear my mother’s voice in my mind telling me to not wish my life away. I smile. It’s not often that I can hear her so vividly, but when it does, it rocks me to the core. It’s like she knows that this is happening to me, and that she’s giving me her blessing. Tears begin to trickle down my cheek, and I quickly walk away to look out of the window, hoping to hide my moment from Bradley.
    The thing about soul mates it seems, though, is that you can’t hide moments like that. He seems to have a radar for when I need a shoulder. Maybe it’s Maggie’s presence. I don’t know why I feel like I need to hide from this man. He’s my everything. I hear him say to Maggie, “Give us a minute, please.”
    He closes the door to the bathroom and comes up to me from behind, wrapping his arms around my waist. He rests his chin on my shoulder and I assume he’s looking out of the window, too. I’m thankful he’s not turned me around. I hate crying in front of people, especially him.
    “You wanna talk about it?” he asks.
    I barely shake my head. “Just thinking about my mom again.”
    “Ah.” He breathes onto the exposed skin on my neck sending shivers through my body. “What about her?”
    “Nothing, kinda crazy. I hear her sometimes. It’s rare, but it happens.” My voice cracks, and I take a moment to try to fight back the tears before I continue. “I had been wishing it was six months down the road and that we were already married in this bathroom.”
    He chuckles. “Well that sounds good to me.”
    I elbow him, “I heard her say not to wish away my life. She always told us that as kids.”
    “Yeah, I’ve been told that a time or two by my grandparents. I know we are both anxious to get married, but I think she’s right. We both need to enjoy every moment, every breath.”
    I pivot on my heels and pull his head down so our lips are crushed together. “I love you,” I breathlessly murmur through our kiss.
    “Whoa.” He grins