Jamaican Heat ||ONC 2024||

Chapter 6: Confessions & Truths

It's the day before Gregory is to leave, and he's been busy checking out properties while I've been working. We've spent our evening together going over and choosing which properties he wants to show me for my opinion.

We've narrowed it down to three: a house on the beach, one within walking distance of the beach, and one with a spectacular view.

I'm excited to see the properties today, but I'm more excited that Gregory is serious about taking our relationship beyond his vacation.

He's waiting for me on the beach because the first house is just a short walk from the hotel. He smiles when he sees me walking towards him and extends his arms, welcoming me into his warm embrace. "Hey, Beautiful."

I snuggle into his chest, feeling it rise and fall with his breathing. "Hey, Mr. Gorgeous."

He kisses my head and says, "Are you ready for this?"

I look up into his chocolate eyes and grin. "The real question is, are you ready for this?"

His kissable lips turn up as he smiles down at me. "Oh, I'm ready. Ama, I want to prove that I'm in this for the long haul."

My heart squeezes with unexplainable feelings, and I cling to him for a moment more before releasing him and taking his hand. "Then I guess we should get going."

It's a convenient fifteen-minute walk from the hotel. We silently hold hands, walking down the beach, each in our thoughts. Just ahead of us is a turquoise-colored clap-board house nestled into the side of the hill, giving the illusion of being a two-story home when, in actuality, it's one floor of living space with an exposed basement that leads out to a deck supported with solid poles disappearing into the sand below. The main floor has two sliding glass doors leading to an upper deck.

At first sight, the color catches my eye. It's adorable and quaint, and being able to walk directly down the wooden steps into the sand is the icing on the cake. The house is lovely, and I adore the back decks facing the beach, thinking how wonderful it would be to have my coffee out there in the mornings and a glass of wine in the evenings.

As we get closer, I notice a man standing on the beach.

Gregory introduces us, "Ama, this is Mr. Williams, Mr. Williams, this is my girlfriend, Ama."

My heart flip-flops at hearing Gregory refer to me as his girlfriend; I don't even remember giving the realtor a proper greeting.

We enter the home by the wooden steps up to the second deck and through the sliding glass door. The open floor concept is the first thing that grabs attention. In the three-bedroom home, the paint of the interior is peach and brightens the rooms. The large living area is separated from the state-of-the-art kitchen with a breakfast bar long enough to sit four. I'm trying to get a read on Gregory as the realtor walks us through the home, but all I see is a straight face with no emotions showing.

"As you can see, it's a beautiful home on the beach. It's ready to move in. Will you be subletting when you're not on the island?" Mr. Williams asks, looking expectantly at Gregory.

Gregory gives me a sideways look, his eyes penetrating mine. "No, I hope Ama will live here when I'm not."

My jaw drops. "What? Are you serious?"

He grins sheepishly. "Surprise!"

My hand covers my mouth as my teary eyes widen. "I don't know what to say?"

He hugs me. "You don't have to make a decision today. Think about it, and talk it over with Trai or your mom."

Kissing his warm cheek, I say, "I will. Thank you, Gregory. I'm speechless."