Emmett snorts in the backseat.

I turn and toss him the keys. “Here. Take the car. We’ll Uber home.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah.”

I catch Noah’s gaze before I close the Jeep’s door. This was a conversation I was planning to have with him, but not now, like this. Before I know if she wants this and in front of two of our other friends. I’m guessing Noah saw this coming, to an extent. I’ve made it clear how serious I am about her. Reality is different from expectation. Sometimes better, sometimes worse. There was a recent time I couldn’t imagine settling down and buying a house here—tying myself to Charleston in any permanent way. Now I’m doing so willingly. Happily.

He nods. “I’m happy for you guys.”

I nod back. “Thanks, man.”

Evie is standing on the sidewalk, looking at the house.

“When I saw the listing, it reminded me of your parents’ place,” I tell her.

“You don’t want something…bigger?” she asks. “Like your parents’ place?”

“For the two of us?” I shake my head. “We can get something bigger when we have kids.”

Evie looks stunned. “When we have kids?”

“Yeah, I figured you’d want to finish your residency and fellowship first.”

“You want that? Marriage, kids, all of it?”

“With you? Yes.” I look at her as I say the last word, letting her see how much I mean it.

“Okay.” Evie says a lot more than that single word, holding my gaze for a minute before she turns back to look at the house. “Let’s go look inside.”

We head up the driveway to talk with the real estate agent. She lets us into the house, then begins spouting facts about the property and the surrounding neighborhood as we walk from room to room. I’m not absorbing much of what she’s saying. I’m more focused on Evie’s expressions as she takes in the honey wood floors and the big windows and the tile backsplash in the kitchen. The bedrooms and the bathrooms.

“I’ll give you two a few minutes to look around on your own,” the realtor tells us. “If you have any questions, I’ll be right outside.”

I nod and Evie thanks her.

“What do you think?” I whisper once we’re alone, resting my chin on the top of her head and wrapping my arms around her waist.

“I think it’s perfect,” she replies. “And that you’ll need to contribute more than a toaster this time.”

I chuckle and tighten my grip. “Deal.”

We stand that way for a few more minutes, soaking in our new home.