She sucked in a sharp breath, moved over him, her hands on either side of his face. “You must be really good at contract language. If you can take a leap, so can I.”
His body heated with the intensity of her gaze. “There’s something special between us. There’re so many great things coming up for both of us. Let’s jump. We’ll see where we land.”
He had a strong suspicion that his heart was going to land firmly in her hands. Which didn’t scare him nearly as much as he thought it would.
29
HH
HOME AND HEART MAGAZINE
It’s what’s inside that counts
New LA Designer Joins Forces with New York Real Estate Developer on an Old Project
Story and Interview by Emily Swanson
Photographs by Jack Stein
HOW A HOUSE BECOMES A HOME; PART 1 OF 3
Regardless of how many times I’ve done these interviews, how many celebrity homes I’ve been invited into, how many amazing renovations I’ve had the good fortune to witness, every experience feels brand-new and unique. Every once in a while, there’s an opportunity to do something with a twist. This twist? Hotshot East Coast real estate developer Noah Jansen is putting down roots in a little beach town south of LA. Helping him turn his house into a home is a new-to-the-scene designer, Grace Travis, who lives next door. I mean, the designer next door? I can’t even make that stuff up. If this isn’t reality show material, I don’t know what is. Speaking of which, check out our website for behind-the-scenes footage of these two working together on a variety of projects.
Now kick back in your favorite accent chair, because this is the first of a series of interviews and stories about an amazing journey full of heart, hard work, and happy endings.
Emily Swanson (ES): I have so many questions, I almost don’t know where to start. Describe yourselves in three words each.
Grace Travis (GT): Motivated. Determined. Resourceful.
Noah Jansen (NJ): Driven. Successful. Confident.
ES: How did you two meet?
(Designer and client exchange an interesting glance I want to read into.)
NJ: Grace moved in next door. I offered to buy her house.
GT: (laughs) About a half dozen times. He wanted to put in a pool.
ES: I take it the answer was no. Something Noah probably isn’t used to hearing. Tell us about your background, Grace.
GT: I’m finishing up my interior design degree at California Polytechnic. I’ve always been interested in design. This is my first professional gig but I’ve planned some significant projects through school.
ES: It’s a big risk, Noah. You have a reputation for closing wicked deals and turning places over. You were part of a Brooklyn development project that altered the landscape of the neighborhood. How do you know Grace is the right fit for this project?
NJ: There are lots of moments in your life, especially in business, where you have to go with your gut. You hope that your experience and history are enough to make the follow-through worth it. Listening to Grace’s ideas … it’s like seeing a young, naturally inclined athlete. You watch them play and you say to yourself, they’re going all the way. I saw that in Grace.
Grace tossed the magazine onto Noah’s marble-top counter. He laughed, the sound deep and sexy.
“What’s wrong?”
She shook her head, backing away a step. “I don’t know. I can’t read anymore. It’s too much. This must be how actors feel, watching themselves on the screen.”
Noah stepped into her, wrapping a hand around her biceps, using the movement to pull her into his chest. “Aw. Are you shy, Gracie?”
Before she could answer, he dipped his head and kissed her, making her forget what they were talking about. Emotions ran wild like a late-night, downtown riot only it was the middle of the day. This was all so new: him touching her, kissing her, making her crave more. It was a mystery how this thing that terrified her—their relationship—also ignited her in the best possible ways.
She wasn’t losing herself in him, like she’d assumed. If anything, she was learning more about herself. She could compartmentalize to a certain extent. She could miss him when they were apart but still focus on work. She could work with him next to her, and perhaps the best surprise of all was how much she liked being able to kiss him in one breath and share her ideas in the next.
“I’ve lost you,” Noah said, pulling back, pressing his forehead to hers. “You’re thinking too hard so I must be doing something wrong.”
Ha. No worries in that department. He knew exactly how to do all the things. Not that they’d done all the things yet but she could imagine. Nope. Don’t fall down that rabbit hole. You may never surface.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered, the restless energy seeping through her pores.
“Don’t be. Emily dropped it off this morning so we could see an advance copy. It hits stands next week. It’s a good interview, Grace. You’re professional, intelligent, and animated. You need to figure out what you want professionally because I have a feeling several people will reach out to you about your services.”
He was serious. He was her first client and this could launch her into a stratosphere she’d never imagined reaching. When her chest tightened, making it hard to breathe, she realized it might be too much.
“Hey,” he said. “Breathe, babe. You’ve got this. You were made for this.”
“I appreciate your confidence, but it’s a lot. I haven’t even finished school,” she said, thinking about the paper on building professional contacts that she still had to write this week.
“You will. You know what? I think we need a proper date,” Noah said, leaning back against the counter, pulling her with him, his arms looped casually around her waist.
Just like that, he distracted her from her nerves. Excitement bubbled in her chest, calming her breathing. “Oh yeah? What do you have in mind? I wasn’t sure the illustrious Noah Jansen actually dated.”
“Hey. What’s that supposed to mean? I date.”
“The same girl more than once?” God. Why did she say that out loud? Just because it was a thought that had consumed her for the past three nights didn’t mean she should throw it in his face.
He winced.
“I’m sorry. That was unkind and unfair.”
His hand moved up and down her back. “At one time, probably accurate. Which I’m sure doesn’t feel very nice from where you’re standing. All I can tell you is there’s never been a woman I wanted to make things work with. I had one short-term relationship before moving here. I put my all into it, or thought I did, because I thought that would cure the restlessness I felt.”
“Did it?” Did she want to know? It wasn’t like she didn’t have a past. Mind you, hers wasn’t plastered on old editions of tabloids. But still.
“No. Things started to make sense the day I was attacked by a pack of dogs on the beach.”
She grinned. “‘Attacked’ is kind of a stretch.”
He brushed her hair back from her face with a tenderness that stole her breath. “You’re the only woman I want. I think about you when we’re not together, and when we are, I’m thinking about how to make you smile or laugh.”
“You’re good at that. Both of those.”
“I want to show you all the other things I’m good at,” he said, hugging her tighter. “You make me want to be good at all of the things I’ve avoided so far.”
She thought about how scared she’d always been to grow attached to someone. How she’d equated falling in love with losing herself. Not that she was in love with Noah, but she could be. She could slip down that slide so easily and never find her way back. But that didn’t make her Tammy Travis. Noah wasn’t showering her with promises, he wasn’t asking her to change her life or who she was. So maybe she didn’t know where they were going, but that was okay. It had to be, because whatever was between them was too strong to walk away from.
Stop overanalyzing everything. Just enjoy. Yo
u’re allowed to have all of this. She took a deep breath, going up on tiptoes to press her mouth lightly to his. He tasted like sugar from the doughnuts he’d had Josh drop off. Noah and sugar. A girl could easily get used to that combination.
“What are you thinking? For our date?”
He smiled, lifting his brows in quick succession. “You’ll see. But I promise, it’ll show you that I get you. That I want to know you better. That you matter to me enough to break a lifetime of bad habits. Trust me?”
She nodded. That wasn’t the problem. It was herself she didn’t trust.
30
Grace pushed the coffee toward the customer, biting back a grin because she knew Rosie was staring at her, just waiting to pounce. Her friend had shown up almost at the same time Grace had for her shift. She’d cut back her hours but promised Ellie she’d stay on until she hired someone new. Her date with Noah was tonight. He was at work—buying some new building or something—she was at work. Life was completely normal.
“Have a good day,” Grace said, smiling at the elderly gentleman.
“You too, dear.” When he walked away, Grace kept her body turned, pretending to wipe down the counter, keeping Rosie waiting.
“Excuse me? Barista? Can I get a refill please?” Rosie asked loudly from the end of the counter where there were a few stools.
Grace laughed, her eyes meeting Rosie’s. She “shh” ed her as she walked over. “I just got you that. No way you’re empty.”
Rosie leaned in, pressing her forearms on the counter. “Nope. I need a refill of details. Explicit details.”
Grace glanced around. The coffee shop was quiet. She had a quick, four-hour shift. But she didn’t want anyone listening in. “There’s nothing to tell. We’re going out on a date tonight. It’s … new. For both of us.” That was an understatement.
“I thought he was going to set fire to your clothes with just his gaze the other night. What did he say he wanted for winning the bet?”
“He didn’t. Not yet.” She couldn’t think of what he could possibly want. That she wouldn’t give him.
“Where are you going tonight?” Rosie picked up her cup.
“Don’t know.”
She eyed her skeptically over the rim. “You didn’t ask?”
Grace shrugged. “It’s been so long since I went on a date, I’m just excited to get dressed up and go out. Speaking of, how’s Josh?”
Rosie’s eyes immediately darted away. Grace’s heart tensed like her shoulders. She really didn’t want to have to kick Noah’s assistant’s ass. “What’s going on?”
Her friend looked at her through lowered lashes. “No judgment, okay?”
Guilt coated Grace’s feelings. Was she judgmental? Did Rosie feel like she was hard to talk to? “Of course not.”
Rosie’s face lit up. “We’re moving in together.”
“What?” Grace practically yelled the word, drawing attention from the few customers.
Frowning, her friend set her cup down. “Shhh. Look, before you say anything, I know this is something Miss Cautious would never do but we’re in love. This is it for me. I’m there and so is he. Why waste time?”
Grace could think of about three dozen reasons without any effort. Instead, she focused on the important piece, pushing down her multiple concerns. “You’re happy?”
The look of elation that passed over her friend’s face was jealousy-inducing. It was pure, unadulterated contentment. Grace wondered what it was like to be that sure about anything.
“I’m so happy, Grace. I didn’t know this kind of happy was out there.”
She covered one of Rosie’s hands with her own. “Then that’s all that matters.”
The rest of the shift flew by, a midmorning rush, along with Rosie’s news, keeping her too distracted to worry. When she got home, she saw a package on her doorstep. It was wrapped in light brown paper with pink polka dots. As she picked it up, curiosity swirled along with excitement. There were two tags, one with a company logo, BROWNIES TO GO, and the other with a message: Looks like the rumor about brownies was true. Enjoy. See you tonight. Dress comfortably in something you don’t mind getting messy. N.
Letting herself into the house, she opened the brownies immediately. She was taking her first bite before she entered the kitchen.
“Oh my God,” she murmured. The delicious taste of mouthwatering chocolate on her tongue overrode her slight disappointment that she wouldn’t be dressing up. She was very curious about Noah’s ideas of a date. She sort of thought he’d go all fancy. He was the kind of man who enjoyed his money without flaunting it, but she assumed he’d try to impress her with a swanky restaurant or something. Was that what he did with his other dates?
She picked up another brownie. “Doesn’t matter. Those dates don’t matter. You do. You get more than one.” He’d promised she’d enjoy herself, and she might be a fool, but she trusted him. If Rosie could move in with Josh after knowing him three weeks, Grace could take this little leap of faith. After all, he’d had brownies delivered to her door. That was a man who knew his way into a woman’s heart.
* * *
When Noah showed up on her doorstep, the nerves kicked into high gear. Taking a deep breath, she pulled the door open, a confident smile pasted on her face. He wore slightly faded jeans that looked made for his body, a light gray T-shirt, and a pair of aviators were perched in his styled hair.
“Hey. You look great,” he said, taking in her pink tank top and jeans. She’d braided her hair so it wasn’t in her face. Noah reached out, stroked a hand over it. “This is pretty.”
Cue full-out fluttering. Damn. She could lie to herself all she wanted, saying she was breezy about this, but her heart revved like an engine. She grabbed her purse from the entryway table and slung it over her shoulder, closing the door behind her.
“So are you.”
Noah grinned.
She winced. “Not pretty,” she amended. “Well, you are. But also, you look great. I’m going to shut up now.”
Taking her hand, he brought it to his mouth, kissed the knuckles while keeping his gaze locked on Grace’s.
“Don’t do that. I like your voice.”
Okay. Smoothed over. First word jumble over and done. Chill out now. It’s just a date. Which you haven’t been on in a while. Anyone would be nervous.
He opened the door to his truck but before she slid in, he asked, “You really think I’m pretty?”
Looking up at him with a forced bland look, she poked him in the stomach. “Don’t start.”
“You make me laugh, Grace,” he said, leaning in to kiss her softly.
The way he said it, the way his lips lingered against hers, made her feel like however many high-profile dates he’d been on or how few dates she’d been on in the last few years just didn’t matter. She’d gotten to this point in her life by looking forward. She was learning to appreciate the moment, but nothing good came of looking back.
Noah backed out of her driveway. “Not going to ask where we’re going?”
She shook her head. “Nope. I like surprises.”
She got one when he reached over, took her hand, and threaded their fingers together. “Me too. Tell me something about you that no one else knows.”
Whatever she’d thought he might say, it wasn’t that. He really did want to know her. She thought about it for a few minutes, then turned her head in his direction. “When I was younger, I used to take any old magazines I could find or flyers and I’d cut out furniture, lamps, anything that went in a house really, and I’d glue them or tape them all on a piece of paper. Sometimes, if we didn’t have glue or tape, I’d just arrange each of the items on the floor.”
He sent her a quick glance before looking back at the road, just long enough for her to see the affection in his eyes. “That’s really sweet. I can actually picture you doing that because you leave little sketches everywhere. I found two on the back of napkins in my house yesterday.”
Grace laughed.
“I don’t even realize I’m doing it. Your turn. Something no one else knows.”
She watched him, saw his jaw loosen, his fingers on the wheel tighten. “I’ve been helping Rob out with some community kids. We get together once a week to play basketball. There’s a tournament coming up to fundraise for a new building and I’m trying to get some big donations together.”
Her mouth fell open. “Why is that a secret?” Then she clapped her hands together. “This makes so much sense! Rosie thought she saw you leaving the basketball court when she went to pick up her nephew. He’s really struggling with his parents’ divorce. Lashing out and throwing attitude around. Noah, that’s really awesome.”
He was such an outgoing person, it surprised her to see the discomfort in his stiff shoulders and the firmness of his mouth. “I don’t know. I wanted something that was my own. Something that my brothers wouldn’t razz me about, saying I’d never keep up with it. As it is, Rob made me practically swear in blood I wouldn’t let them down.”
Grace worked to stymie her anger. When she felt like she could speak calmly, she said, “I think when people have magnetic, powerful personalities, people can make assumptions. I guess we do it for all personalities but just because you enjoy a party or socializing does not mean you’re unreliable.”
“Tell my brothers that. Shit. Sorry. No. My brothers are great. They just like giving me a hard time.”
“Sometimes we let how other people see us color how we see ourselves.”
“I agree. I’m trying to stop doing that. I’m working on making choices I want for myself rather than to make someone else happy.”
Her heart squeezed tightly. “Is that part of why you left New York?”
He turned down a street she recognized but she kept her eyes trained on him.
“That and I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I was always pushing for something but none of it had any meaning.” His fingers tapped the wheel.
“Is that different now?”
Once again, he looked her way. “Things seem pretty meaningful.”
How to Love Your Neighbor Page 20
