20
hissed in JerRic's ear, still clutching his arm. It was daylight here.
“Home.” JerRic had a mischievous smile on his face.
“And what is that smile for?” I moved my hand in the air, pointed towards his lips. “That smile means you are up to no good.”
JerRic busted out laughing. “Come on. Let me show you around?”
I glanced at JerRic. “I feel like there is a catch.”
“A big one.” JerRic flashed me a smile and walked into an enormous kitchen. It had beautiful white and shades of light blue everywhere. It gave it a soothing, tranquil vibe.
I was getting hot, so I took off the jacket and put it on the nearest chair. There was a bowl of snacks on the kitchen table. I decided JerRic wouldn't mind, so I took a bag of chips and opened them.
“Okay, what's the catch?” I put a chip in my mouth.
I know a lot of girls get upset when they eat in front of guys, but I had been eating lunch with JerRic and Dylan for months. It didn't bother me. I knew he had a ton of cousins, because his family switched between the two tables in the back corner of the lunchroom. It wasn't like I was the only girl that sat with JerRic. Kerris, Taya, Davina, twins Piper and Paizley, Dara, Daya, and Tara did too. His other guy cousins, twins Niko and Nolan, joined us, and so did Dash. They always made me feel like I belonged.
Tara wanted to teach 1st grade when she grew up. Dash was on the baseball and basketball team. He was the reason our team kept winning. Niko and Nolan had a lot of inside jokes, but I heard they had a black belt once and were All American in Karate. Last year, they went to Ireland for some competition.
Piper could talk really fast. Paizley did a lot of nodding in those conversations, but when Piper actually let her talk, she was just as fast. Dara and Daya were sisters. Both were insanely sweet. Although Dara did tell Dash off one day. That had to be one of the highlights of the year. In her defense, he deserved it.
Davina and Taya finished each other’s sentences. They were first cousins. Sometimes we called Davina V. V had a lot of good ideas and Taya found ways to make them happen.
Kerris was the youngest of JerRic's cousins that sat with us, but she was spicy and funny. Her cousins didn't seem to care that she was slightly younger. They treated her like she was just as important as the rest of them. Looking back now, I was the only outsider that sat with them. JerRic had asked me one day, and I said yes... and never stopped.
“Random question. Did you ask me to sit with you at lunch because you thought I was your soulmate? I mean, your cousins are all Storytellers too, right?” I popped another chip into my mouth.
“Yes, and yes.” JerRic smiled. “It took Kerris all of two minutes to decide I must be right. She has good instincts.”
“Really?” I was surprised that Kerris, of all people, decided I was Jer's soulmate.
“Even Dash told me just to give it time.” JerRic shrugged.
“Interesting.” I ate another chip. “So what's the catch, Jer?”
JerRic leaned on the counter. “This is my house. I live here.”
“Yeah, I get that.” I rolled my eyes.
“As in, you would live here with me when we got married and no one else would be living here house.” JerRic continued.
I started choking.
JerRic stepped closer in concern. He rubbed his necklace. I stopped choking automatically.
“Are you okay?” He put a hand around my back.
I nodded.
“Let me get you a water bottle.” He went to the refrigerator.
I took the water bottle from him and took a long drink. I used that time to glance around and take inventory. JerRic was drop dead serious. I put the cap back on the bottle.
“Now, do you see why I put off the whole soulmate conversation?” JerRic smirked.
I laughed nervously. “I guess so.” I threw the bag away.
“Come on.” He took my hand and led me down the hall up the steps and showed me around. There were four spare rooms upstairs and a second Living Room.
I was speechless.
“Oh, I got an idea.” JerRic smiled, touched his necklace, and opened the door.
I wasn't sure how I felt about his ideas right now. He flicked on the light and stepped out of my way. I walked into what I would describe as an artist's Heaven.
Paints lined the walls on shelves, with tons of paint brushes. There was an art case sitting on the table. A yard stick was lying on the table looking like something from a magazine. I saw a paper cutter, a laminating machine, and paper on display. Several empty canvases hung on an empty wall, waiting to be filled. An art easel was in front of them.
I walked over to the window. There was a daybed in front of it. An adjustable table was beside of it that tilted. I ran my fingers along the table. I could do a lot with this view and the items in this room.
“I mean, if you don't like it... we can always change it.” JerRic put his hands on the large wooden table in the center of the room.
I ran towards him. He stood up, and I wrapped my arms around his neck. He swung me in a circle. When my feet landed on firm ground. I kissed him.
“So does that mean you like it?” JerRic's tone wasn't his normal self-assured tone that he usually had.
“Yes, I love it actually.” I turned around. “I could stay in this room for a week and not leave.”
“Nope.” JerRic flashed me a smile. “No bathroom. You'd have to come out before then.”
I backhanded him softly and laughed. “Show me the rest of the house, so I will know where to find the bathroom.”
JerRic laughed. “This way, my lady.” He opened the door and waited for me to walk out. “This is the bathroom.” He grinned.
I laughed. “I'm all set.”
“Almost.” He opened the last door and waited for me to enter. “Master bedroom.”