Chapter 43
We were still in our pajamas when I led Charlie outside to the driveway on Christmas morning. His face lit up when we approached the freestanding basketball hoop.
"I don't want you to lose out on your friendships because you're living here."
Charlie's eyes glowed with tenderness.
It touched my heart, infiltrated my lungs, and seeped into my bones where it warmed me.
"Baby, this is the sweetest thing anyone has ever given me." He lifted me and we kissed deeply.
After he put me down, Charlie pulled an envelope out of his back pocket, winked, and said, "Merry Christmas."
My brows scrunched together. I opened it, and yanked out the paper that looked like a mortgage statement.
I scanned it, not understanding what it was.
It took a second before realizing I held my mortgage s
