Chapter Ninety Nine – The Next Step Forward

Olivia was trying really hard not to laugh and stare at the two kids in the car next to them. Their faces were nearly pressed against the glass as their cars kept pace with each other. Suvi was probably as much entertainment for them as they were being for her. She had to admit that Suvi was rather good entertainment when he had his head hanging out the back window and his tongue flapping in the wind. How he didn't end up with an epic dry mouth she had no idea.

"What are you over there laughing about?" Ben asked as he glanced at her sidelong from the driver's seat.

"Suvi. And the kids who think he's even better than television."

"He's much more entertaining than television."

Olivia chuckled and turned to glance at Suvi. He seemed to sense her gaze and turned toward her. It didn't take long for him to nudge her hand in a request for a good ear rub. She obliged knowing full well what would happen if she didn't.

"So where are we going?"

"You remember considering moving in together?"

She hadn't been expecting an answer, so when Ben actually started giving one she was completely shocked. The gears in her head ground to a halt and became disconnected because she wasn't even processing what he'd said. Her lack of response didn't go unnoticed.

"Liv?"

"What? Oh, sorry. Yes. I remember."

It took a moment or two for her brain to get back into gear, but when the gears finally did start turning she gaped at him. Was he serious? Was that what he'd been working on so often lately? Could this be the something she'd thought he'd been hiding?

"…Ben?"

"Finally clicked huh? I've been looking around and I think I've finally found something we'll both like."

"You're kidding. We're going to see an apartment? Really?"

"Really."

Really. They were going to look at an apartment that could become their apartment. Their home. It was a really big step, but was she ready for that step? Olivia thought about it for half a second before she decided that yes, she was ready for that step. He was with her so much already but whenever he wasn't she missed him. She could definitely get used to getting to say goodnight to him without it including watching him walk toward the elevator to go home.

"Do I get any details before we get there?"

"Nope," he teased. "But you don't have to wait much longer anyway."

He reached out for her hand and squeezed it gently. Olivia was more than happy to return the grip. As excited as she was, she was equal parts nervous. Having his hand to keep her grounded was actually very nice and it did more to silence her uncertainties than she had thought it would. She squeezed his hand again and wound her fingers between his.

They rode in silence together until Ben parked outside of a large apartment building. Even from the outside it looked new, and yet she knew the area. It wasn't all that far outside her usual circle.

"Ben, isn't this place going to be a little out of our price range?"

He almost laughed at her as he led the way to the entrance.

"I'm a realtor with a talent for haggling over price. Trust me. It'll be fine. Besides, I know the guy that's renting the place out."

Olivia unconsciously gripped Suvi's leash tighter as they approached the door, and he looked up at her in response and gently bumped her leg.

"Do they know we're coming?" Olivia asked with a hint of unease.

"Sure. They have keys waiting for me at the front desk."

"I meant…"

"Suvi? It's a pet friendly building. You don't have anything to worry about."

Again Olivia was at a complete loss for words. She was left just following along after Ben and wondering what else he had in store for her. So far she was very impressed. She'd never truly considered a pet friendly building, and this one was as beautiful inside as it was outside. She wouldn't have to worry about anyone saying something about Suvi, which already checked off her requirement for a new place.

Ben led her up to the third floor and unlocked an apartment about halfway down the hall. He waved her in with an overly dramatic gesture and a small bow.

"Go on. Take a look."

"Oh, come on," Olivia grumbled, though there was laughter in her voice.

She grabbed his hand and nearly dragged him into the apartment after her. Of course he nearly slammed into her back when she stopped dead a mere three steps into the room. Ben rested his hands on the sides of her arms and grinned when he caught the look on her face. They'd just walked into a wide open, spacious living room that let sunlight spill across the room. It was what had truly drawn Ben to the apartment. He'd known she would love it too.

"Wow."

"Pretty amazing, huh?"

"Wow," she repeated as she walked toward the window to take in the view and the rest of the room.

"I'll take that as a yes," Ben chuckled.

He let her wander and get a good look around. She took her time, processing what she was seeing. Suvi happily trotted along next to her, ears pricked and tail wagging. Ben didn't have to look very hard to see that they both liked the apartment, and they hadn't seen anywhere near the whole place.

"The family room flows right into the kitchen?" Olivia asked in surprise even though she could clearly see the open concept.

"And you should see the kitchen. It's gorgeous. Kind of sad that it's going to be partially wasted on someone of your culinary talents, but I'm sure I can make up for that."

Olivia gripped his arm, perhaps a little too tightly to be completely comfortable, and leaned against him.

"I'll let that go if it means I'll get you cooking the meals every night. Deal?"

"Mm. I could probably make that deal. I'll just have to find a consolation prize for the kitchen for all the other meals."

"Jerk."

Ben pressed his hand to his heart in an overly dramatic expression of hurt.

"You're calling the guy that's showing you an amazing three bedroom apartment a jerk?"

"Three…?"

"Three," he confirmed. "Come on. I'll show you our room."

Three bedrooms. Those bedrooms alone would be bigger than her current apartment was. Sure, having some extra room would be nice, but what did they need three bedrooms for? One would have been adequate and two more than enough. It took Suvi whimpering for her to realize Ben had left her behind.

When she caught up with him she asked, "Why do we need that many bedrooms?"

"One as a bedroom, one as an office, and one for Suvi."

"One for Suvi?" she laughed.

"Hey, he's special enough to deserve his own room," Ben explained. "Plus, they didn't have any two bedrooms open."

Yeah, that sounded much more like Ben. She had to admit that so far he was right about this place. It was, well, incredible. She could easily picture them living there, and it would be wonderful to give Suvi the chance to be around other dogs more often.

The more Ben showed her of the apartment the more she fell in love with it. Just like the main room the master bedroom had a huge window that let light stream in and spread across the floor. Suvi immediately flopped down in the sunshine and stretched out. While he lounged Olivia inspected the bathroom and closets, which were equally impressive. The "office" as Ben called it wasn't anything special, but it also didn't need to be. It would be a quiet place to work and that was good enough. Olivia honestly didn't think there was anything Ben could show her in the final bedroom that would out-do what she'd already seen.

And then she walked inside.

Author's Note: Last chapter is tomorrow!