He nodded, taking it in without judgment, which she appreciated.
She gestured to the phone after crumpling her napkin and dropping it onto her plate. “Who’s that?”
“Group thread with my brothers. They’re razzing me about picking out furniture. I’m not usually so … involved.”
She grinned, leaned forward. “You don’t say.”
“Hey.”
“Hey what? You think it’s a surprise to learn you usually hire a crew and come back for the reveal?”
Something passed over his features, making her sorry she’d said it so casually. She almost reached for his hand. Instead, she added, “You’re making this one different, Noah. You just needed the right project.”
“I hope so. I don’t know why it matters that they see that. That they realize I’m not like my dad.”
Deciding she’d do the same for Rosie, she reached out, covered his hand with hers, ignoring the pulse of attraction that she was resigned to believing would always just hover.
“I’m positive they know it. Didn’t we just say we were going to stop trying to prove ourselves to others? All that matters is that you know.”
He nodded, turning his hand so their fingers linked. Both their breaths caught but neither of them pulled back.
“I do. I just want them to see that I can do this. I can commit to something, see it all the way through. I came here because I was tired of turnover. I was looking to make my own legacy. To feel like I was doing something real.”
Grace grinned, slipping her hand out of his so she could form words. “You want real? You want to show them that this time is different?”
He leaned back, eyeing her curiously. “What do you have in mind?”
Lots. But only some of which she’d follow through on. “Just leave it up to me.”
“Should I be scared?” His eyes twinkled. She could get addicted to those smiling eyes.
“Maybe. But I promise you’ll have fun.”
“Famous last words.”
Maybe. But, as his friend, Grace was going to prove to Noah that he could be the man he wanted to be. One he might not even know he wanted to be. If he wanted to show he could go the distance with the house, maybe he’d open up in other areas. Maybe these requited feelings didn’t have to be pushed away. At least not for good.
25
The appliances were in, the kitchen renovations looked fantastic, but the walls still needed fresh paint. The island had been altered to a perfect square with drawer storage on one side and book nooks on each side. Two stools that Grace had ordered were sitting in boxes, waiting to be put together.
“This looks fantastic,” Chris said, turning in a circle, taking in the changes. To separate the kitchen and laundry areas, Grace had worked with Kyle to create a custom, rustic, white barn door with gorgeous sliding hardware. Beside it was a frosted-glass door that led to a shallow pantry. She’d thought of everything. Because she’s freaking amazing. He’d seen glimpses of her talent but taking on this full project with her was eye-opening. And damn impressive.
Noah hadn’t seen much of her in the last few days, because she’d been online shopping and arranging deliveries around her school schedule. He’d golfed with Wes’s connection twice this week and agreed to a couple more outings. He realized that he missed being with Grace, missed working on the house when he wasn’t doing it. He’d also arranged a surprise for his new friend.
“This is the kind of kitchen that could make a person want to learn how to cook,” Everly said, sliding the barn door back and forth.
Chris glanced over, grinning at the woman who’d captured his heart. Noah never thought he’d see the day his baby brother fell head over heels in love. Noah didn’t know how to describe it, but somehow Everly made Chris more. The kind of more you want to be? Labeling Grace as a friend hadn’t stopped his romantic feelings.
Everly joined them at the island countertop, nestling naturally into Chris’s side. His brother looked down at her, stroking her hair in an affectionate gesture that made Noah’s stomach clench.
Everything about them said forever, but how could anyone know? It was always fun in the beginning. How did a couple avoid being just another statistic? Noah couldn’t stand the thought of loving a woman enough to tie himself to her, only to have it fall apart.
“We should ask Grace about doing our place,” Chris said.
Noah started to approve the idea but stopped. “Wait. Everly’s apartment?”
The two of them turned their heads, similar grins on their faces.
“What?” He was missing something.
“We want to buy a place. We want you to help us find the right one,” Chris said.
“Yes!” Noah rounded the counter, clapped his brother on the back. Everly was a little shy with physical affection that didn’t come from Chris, but Noah knew her well enough now that he pressed a kiss to her cheek. She still ducked her gaze as a pretty pink flush crept over her skin. “This is awesome. We’re not talking stupid starter home, right? We’re talking rest of our lives, let’s raise the kids and be here for good?”
Everly’s gaze widened. Chris laughed, pulling her tighter against his side. “Slow down, man. I just got her used to the idea of moving out of her apartment. We haven’t talked a lot about specifics. What do you think, babe?”
Her brows furrowed in thought. “Bigger than a starter home but we don’t need something huge. I do want a kitchen like this, though. How’d you know this one was the one?”
Noah’s smile didn’t belie the happiness bursting in his chest. Everly believed he was in it for good. Those two words, though, “the one,” kept coming back to haunt him. “Cliché as it sounds, I walked in and felt like it was home. We’re going to find you something perfect. I was online last night looking for properties. I’ve got a few that I think would work. This is freaking awesome.”
The front door bell chimed before he heard Grace’s voice. “Knock, knock.”
His heart rate spiked as if he’d taken a shot of caffeine. Damn it. He had to get over that. There was a big difference between finding a house to spend his life in and finding a woman to spend his life with.
“I brought friends,” Grace called out.
She’d asked him to invite Chris, Everly, and any other people he considered friends. She’d already claimed Josh, since he and Rosie were inseparable. They followed behind her now along with Morty, who was holding hands with a woman who had to be Tilly, his fiancée. Another guy, who looked to be Morty’s age, joined them. His kitchen was nearly full when Shane brought up the rear. Noah swallowed the discomfort he knew he had no right to feel. It wasn’t hard to pick up on the signals that the guy liked Grace. Which is none of your business.
“You didn’t say you were having a party, bro,” Chris said, his tone sharp.
Noah glanced over, taking his gaze off Grace, who looked gorgeous in anything but particularly in the yellow tank top she wore that showed off her tan. Shit. He forgot how nervous Everly got around crowds. She had severe social anxiety. As someone who loved being around people, it had taken him some time to learn how large groups impacted his brother’s girlfriend. He knew she’d spoken to a professional about it and that she seemed more at ease around him now than months ago but that could just be her comfort level, having gotten to know him. He started to apologize but Everly looked up at Chris. She ran her hand over his stomach and mouthed “It’s fine.”
The tension in his brother’s shoulders eased but he still felt bad.
“I didn’t know I was having a party. Speaking of which, where’s Stacey?” Everly’s best friend often put her at ease.
“Rob’s teaching a class. They’re coming after,” Chris said.
Grace looked around, coming to Noah’s side. “This is not a party. It’s a crew.”
“What?” He was in the dark. He just hoped whatever she’d planned wouldn’t make Everly uncomfortable.
“If everyone will join me in the living room, please,”
Grace said.
Most of them followed, but Noah hung back a moment to talk to Everly and Chris.
“Hey,” Noah said to Everly. “I didn’t know there was going to be a crowd. I actually have no idea what she has planned. Might end up having to apologize depending on what I’ve gotten you guys into.”
Chris slid his hand down Everly’s arm, connecting their fingers. The quiet smile she gave Chris created an inexplicable pressure in Noah’s chest.
“You’re sweet to worry but I’m okay,” Everly said.
“I did tell you I was the exceptional one. I don’t want to fall short,” Noah said.
Chris rolled his eyes. “Not sure that’s the word I’d use.”
“Well, big words are hard for you,” Noah said.
Chris’s bark of laughter put him at ease. “You should maybe save the trash talk for after we do whatever it is you’ve gotten us into.”
“Fair enough.”
They were arguing over who would sit or stand. The couch would arrive in the next few days.
“Are you joining us or not, Jansen?” Grace called.
“Have I mentioned I really like her?” Chris said.
Noah frowned. “You love Everly.”
Shaking his head like Noah was an idiot—which, he could admit, sometimes he was—Chris clapped him on the back. “I’ll speak slower. Yes, I do love Everly. She’s mine. I like Grace for you. And in general.”
“She’s waiting for us,” Everly said softly, her lips twitching.
They joined the rest of the group just as Stacey and Rob let themselves in.
“Did we miss anything? Hey, Noah. Wicked place,” Stacey called out, stretching her hand up to wave. Rob jutted his chin in Noah’s direction.
Waving, Noah joined Grace by the fireplace. She’d pulled two clipboards from somewhere.
He leaned down, caught the scent of something sweet, like strawberries. “What are we doing, Gracie?”
Tilting her head toward him, which brought their faces closer, she whispered, “You’ll see. You wanted normal. That means rolling up your sleeves, letting the people who love you pitch in. With a twist.”
That weird feeling invaded his chest again. She was unlike anyone he’d ever met. “I hope I don’t regret this.”
“That’s what she said.” She bumped his hip and slapped her hand a couple of times on a clipboard, commanding attention easily. “If you guys can spread out a little, I’ll introduce everyone quickly. I’m Grace. I’m Noah’s interior designer and you’ll have to excuse me for how big I’m smiling because that’s the first time I’ve been able to use those words for real. I also live next door.” Their friends and family laughed while stepping back. They created a loose definition of a circle.
“I won’t make us play any icebreaker games or anything like that, I promise,” Grace said.
“Thank you. We get enough of that in school,” Rosie said.
“That there is my bestie, Rosie. Beside her is Noah’s assistant, Josh.” Both Josh and Rosie waved. Grace pointed to Morty. “That’s Morty, his fiancée, Tilly, their friend John, who is Shane’s dad.”
“Noah, you introduce your team.” Grace nudged him with her shoulder.
Team? Interesting. “Sure. I’m Noah. Nice to meet all of you. Right there is my brother, Chris, his girlfriend, Everly. Everly’s bestie, Stacey, who some of you might recognize as the voice of 96.2 SUN radio. That’s her guy and a friend of mine and my brothers’, Rob.”
“Okay. I’m sure everyone wonders what we’re all doing here so I’ll get right to it,” Grace said. She looked so excited, a little zip of energy flared through Noah.
Grace passed one of the clipboards to Morty and one to John. “Hopefully, you guys have seen the show Trading Spaces. This is going to be a little like that with the addition of a good old-fashioned painting party. Noah and I both need some work done in our homes. He wanted to know how people do this without hiring a band of merry men who cost a fortune.”
The back of Noah’s neck heated. That wasn’t exactly it.
“Investments falling flat, man?” Chris’s voice was thick with humor.
“As if.”
Grace took command again, bringing Noah’s attention back to her. Not that it was ever far away. “In the short time since Noah and I have become friends, I’ve learned that he likes a challenge and a bet almost as much as I do. We’re going to break into teams. Each team has to transform one room in the other person’s house. Everything is set up and ready. We have three hours. Morty is on our team, so he’ll stay here, watch to make sure there’re no violations, and vice versa for John, who will hang with us. They’ll be our judges. When I moved into my place, I treated my helpers to pizza and beer, which is pretty standard. So, Noah will do that as well. It’ll arrive after the reveal.”
“At least I’m generous.” Noah was trying to absorb all of the information.
The group laughed at his surprise.
“That you are.” She winked at him and, this time, lust fired through him. What the hell had he gotten himself into?
Just like that, she split everyone into two groups. His team was Chris, Everly, Rob, and Stacey. Her team had Rosie, Josh, Tilly, and Shane. They were all talking when Noah put a hand up.
Grace bit her lip. Noah wanted to do the same, but for now he’d keep his head in the game.
“You don’t have to raise your hand, Noah. We’re not in school.” Grace’s gaze sparkled with amusement.
“He never raised his hand in school,” Chris offered.
Noah ignored his brother. “The groups aren’t fair.”
“I knew you were going to say that,” Grace said, a sly smile on her lips.
“Why aren’t they fair?” Stacey looked around like she was trying to figure out the advantage.
“There are two design people and Shane owns a construction company.”
Grace nodded. “True, but since you and I are doing a side bet, I can’t be on your team. You take Rosie and Josh. Stacey and Rob can switch to my team.”
“What am I supposed to do for three hours? Think I got nothing better to do than hang out with a bunch of kids?” Morty’s voice was gruff but held no rancor.
“We’re adults. Also, I’ve met you, so, no, I didn’t expect you to just sit around. You’re like the foremen. You’ll need to check the clipboard every so often and make sure we’re following the rules. There’s also a television in each house if you’re not needed. You’ll live, and get beer and pizza as a reward.”
“That’s fair,” John said, looking at his friend.
“Fine. Which rooms and what’s the side bet?” Noah was pumped to get started. He’d enjoyed being more involved—he liked working with his hands more than he’d expected. But some of the home-reno jobs were tedious. Grace managed to spice up even the littlest things.
“Your team is doing my office. I’ve ordered furniture from Ikea. We’ll be taking on one of the upstairs guest rooms.”
“What’s the side bet?” Stacey looked back and forth between them, rubbing her hands together.
“The side bet is, if we win, I get to do a surprise room for you.” Grace’s smile reached all the way up to her pretty brown eyes.
“What do I get?”
“Besides more of your house decorated?” Chris asked.
“That’s her job. Which she loves.” He knew her well enough to know there was a reason she’d added this caveat. He kept his gaze locked on Grace.
“Whatever you want.”
An actual hush fell over the group. Gracie’s cheeks went a sweet shade of pink. “Within reason.”
Noah spread his arms wide. “I’m nothing if not reasonable.”
This brought laughter from his brother and Everly, as well as from Stacey and Rob.
“Anything else before we get started?” Noah asked.
“One thing,” Grace said. “Josh contacted the magazine to approve all this. They have a photographer coming by in an hour to get some candid shots.
Only Noah and I will be in them if they include anything other than the space and changes.”
Grace walked up to him, tipped her head back. “You in?”
Noah lowered his head, ignoring everything but this woman who intrigued and turned him on in equal measure. “All in.”
Her breath hitched. “What do you want if you win?” She asked it low, so he doubted the others heard.
“I’ll let you know.”
Her gaze flashed with a moment of apprehension, so he squeezed her arm. “Don’t worry, Gracie. You can trust me.”
Warmth filled his chest when her genuine smile came back. “I know. Plus, I can kick your ass.”
He was still laughing as they split into their teams and went to gather what they needed. With Gracie, it felt like even when he lost, he won.
26
Noah stole a final glance at Grace as they left her and her team in his house. Morty lugged one of those canvas camping chairs with him, talking about how he had better ways to live his life with a hint of a smile on his lips.
“This will be fun,” Everly said.
“I’m glad you think so. I was worried you’d be uncomfortable. Now, I’m counting on you to help me win.”
Chris shot Noah an amused grin. “You didn’t know what she was up to?”
He looked at his brother as they took the few stairs up to Grace’s front door and let themselves in. “I had no idea. She’s … something else.”
Chris pursed his lips, giving a slow nod.
“What?” Noah stared at him.
Everly laughed.
Chris didn’t even try to hide his grin.
“What? I didn’t say anything.”
“Grace has awesome ideas like this in class, too,” Rosie said.
“Never updated anything in my house,” Morty grumbled.
“You told her it was a shrine to a better time.” Rosie lifted her brows, daring him to argue.
Morty chuckled. “Huh. Forgot about that. Okay, let’s get set up so I can watch television.” He moved ahead of them, clearly knowing the layout of Grace’s home.
How to Love Your Neighbor Page 17