Better Than Home: Better Than Good Novella

Yeah…that was nice, I thought.

Until a small voice from the back seat spoke up.

“Boys shouldn’t marry boys. It’s a sin. Grandma said that the priest in…”

Todd gave an awkward smile and rolled up his window, driving off without a second glance while I stared after them like a moron who’d just been kicked in the ribs.

Okay, so maybe Todd and Jess sucked.

Maybe this whole neighborhood sucked. It looked perfectly idyllic with picturesque homes partially hidden behind massive trees, but maybe it was a sham.

I studied the Welcome mat as I pulled my house key from my pocket, wondering if we’d made a big fucking mistake. The kind we couldn’t get out of easily.

Not true. We could move to LA. I could be partner in name with the title, another raise, and my name on a fucking billboard. We could buy a bigger house with a pool and a view and whatever cool amenities were all the rage.

But Aaron wouldn’t be happy. So this was all bad. And of course, it only made sense that we’d spent a lot of fucking money to feel bad.

Before I calculated the time and expense we’d put into this house and how devastated Aaron would be when he realized it was all wrong, the door opened. And just like that, my world fell into place.

“There you are.” Aaron grinned, filling the doorway with his arms and legs stretched wide like a human X.

“Hi.” That one syllable sounded heavy and a little desperate to my own ears.

Aaron noticed. He frowned, tilting his head slightly. “Rough day?”

I shrugged, bending to kiss him. “Meh. You know how it goes. Long day, long drive.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Yeah.” I hiked my thumb toward the street. “And I just met our neighbors. You were right—they think you’re my designer.”

“Well, I sort of am.” He chuckled.

“True, but now they know you’re my husband.”

Aaron beamed. “I almost wish you hadn’t told them. It’s more fun letting people figure it out on their own.”

I didn’t know about that, but I felt too shaky to talk about work or our neighbors, so I kissed him again, snaking my arm around his waist. God, he tasted so good. Like peppermint and chocolate and something so perfectly…Aaron.

“Hmm. I don’t care. I’m just happy to be home.”

“And I’m happy you’re here.” He nipped my bottom lip, resting one arm on my shoulder. He kept the other fixed on the doorjamb, his legs still spread wide.

I inched away to give him a suspicious once-over. “Are you going to let me in?”

“Of course. But…I have a surprise.”

“Is it the naked kind? ’Cause I’m totally up for that. Otherwise, I’m going to need confirmation that this is a stress-free surprise.”

“Yes. Totally stress-free.” Aaron grinned as he flattened his palm on my chest and relaxed his stance. “Not naked, but I can easily fix that part. However, I have to come clean and admit that I took the liberty of doing something without asking you.”

“Oh?”

He wrinkled his nose and nodded. “I know that’s against husband code, but I think you’re really going to like this.”

I sighed. “Please tell me you didn’t bring a dog home.”

“No, but can I?”

“Nope. We’ll do that together.”

“Fine. No dog, cat, fish, or reptiles. I promise. Take my hand and close your eyes.”

I heaved a faux-grumpy sigh but obeyed, letting him lead me through the foyer and into the house.

“Can I open them now?” I asked when he stopped and inhaled deeply.

“Yes.” He squeezed my hand and released it.

I wasn’t sure what I expected. Maybe dinner, a glass of wine, or a piece of art he couldn’t resist. But this was…well, a real surprise.

The empty house we’d been painstakingly renovating for weeks on end was now completely furnished.

It looked like a real home.

Our gray sectional was positioned in front of the giant flat-screen over the fireplace. Our rug and throw pillows added cheery pops of blues and reds, complementing a wall of photos of family and friends.

I wandered toward a black and white picture of us from our wedding on an end table, dressed in tuxes with our arms around each other, smiling like a couple of lovesick fools. I ran my finger along the edge of the silver frame and noticed the candles.

They were everywhere—on the mantel, the modern glass coffee table, the console behind the sofa. Taller ones lined the walls leading to the adjoining dining room where the table was set. More candles led to the sliding glass door. I peeked outside at the neatly arranged furniture and umbrella and finally turned to him with my mouth wide open.

“I—y-you did all this?”

Aaron nodded slowly. “Yes. The floors are done, the paint was dry, and I figured…why wait? I also figured you might appreciate not having to lift heavy things on your day off, so I hired a service and…voilà. Don’t worry, I checked the budget. There wasn’t a ton to do. Honestly, it took more effort to hang pictures than anything. Oh, and I also finished the guest room. The other rooms can wait till we know what we’ll do with them and—say something, Matt. You’re making me nervous.”