“You can stay in the house,” Grace said.
Tammy blanched, lowered her arm. “What?”
“Your parents’ house. You said you wanted the house or the money. You can’t have either but you’re right, this was your family’s home so you can stay there for as long as you need.”
If anything, her mom looked only angrier. “I don’t want to live in the house. If anything, I’d want to sell it.”
Grace tipped her head to the side. “Well, as I’ve had to say before, my house isn’t for sale. But the offer for you to be there stands. You can take it or leave it but I’m done letting you manipulate me. I’m not giving you money but I’ll give you something more valuable.”
Tammy scoffed. Noah put both hands on Grace’s shoulders and she closed her eyes a minute, letting the feel of him at her back sink in.
She met Tammy’s gaze. “If you stay, maybe we can repair some of the damage to our relationship. You said in one of your letters that you wanted that. You said that family matters. There are no guarantees but I’m willing to try if you are.”
The cab honked impatiently. Tammy looked back and then at Grace. She didn’t even realize she was holding her breath.
Was it indecision she saw in her mother’s gaze? “I can make your life miserable,” Tammy said, leaning into Grace’s breathing space.
How could it still hurt? “No. You can’t. You don’t have any more control over me, Mom.” The words felt true, mostly. The hurt would fade. “It doesn’t have to be like this.” Hope hung by a pinkie finger on a crumbling ledge.
Tammy’s jaw clenched. She ripped the check up, tossed it toward Grace, and turned on her heel, hurrying toward the cab. Grace’s breath whooshed out of her lungs, and though her mother not being willing to try nicked her heart, she knew she’d be okay. Noah turned her, hugged her hard.
“I’m so proud of you,” he whispered.
“Damn, Grace. You’re amazing. It’s completely her loss,” Rosie added.
When Noah pulled back, started to turn toward the back of the yard, Grace grabbed his hand, looked at Josh.
“As much as I’m probably going to need therapy for that little drama, we have other things happening and I still need a few minutes.” She widened her eyes in Josh’s direction.
“Right. Noah, let’s get you settled in Grace’s house with a beer until she texts you.”
He looked at the three of them funny. “What’s going on?”
“Dude. Trust me when I say it’ll be worth the wait to find out.”
* * *
Nerves danced in her belly as Grace made the final touches. She still couldn’t believe all of the things that had happened. She knew she wasn’t over the hurt of her mom, just like he wasn’t over the malice of his father. But right now, all that mattered was them and the life they were going to build. He loved her. She loved him. They were a team. Each other’s person. He hadn’t gone down on one knee, but she had no doubt he would, no doubt she’d say yes. It wouldn’t always be easy, they’d fight, make up, outside forces would try to tear them down, but they’d weather those storms and stand strong together. He’d laid his heart on the line for her, and now it was her turn to do the same.
Grace
Come outside to your backyard.
Noah
Should I be dressed?
Grace
LOL I’d rather you didn’t show your goods to the entire beach so, yeah.
Noah
Fair enough. Need anything?
Grace
Just you. Always you.
The back door opened, and Noah came out onto the porch. He stood on the deck in shorts and a T-shirt, his feet bare, and surveyed everything Josh and Rosie had helped her pull together in record time. Should she have told him to put on a bathing suit? The gesture was supposed to be more symbolic than anything.
His gaze moved over the canopied tent that covered the rectangular blow-up pool. Candles flickered in the light breeze, set up on a bistro set she’d picked up for the back porch. Three fully-stocked coolers rested beside the pool. Towels lay over the back of the chairs.
Grace walked forward, meeting him at the bottom of the stairs.
“You got me a pool,” he said, his lips twitching.
“It’s where this all started, right? You wanted a pool.”
He nodded, taking her hand and walking forward. He dipped a hand inside. “It’s freezing,” he said around a laugh.
“We don’t have to get in,” she said.
“Oh, we’re getting in. Those curtains close,” he said.
She’d tied them open so they had the view of the setting sun over the water behind them, but maybe his idea was better. There was nothing she’d rather look at than Noah. They worked quietly, each of them taking two sides, pulling the strings so the massive canopy curtains closed around them. Seagulls squawked in the distance, laughter drifted faintly from people enjoying the beach. But inside the curtains, it was just them.
Noah glanced at the pool. “Maybe I didn’t think this all the way through. That water is pretty cold.”
Grace laughed. It didn’t matter if they went in. She kissed him, pulled him to the bistro set. “Sit down. There’s more.”
She opened two of the coolers, delighted to see Noah’s jaw drop.
“That is a lot of peanut butter brownie ice cream.” He dug through the ice and pulled up a pint-size container. Grace grabbed a spoon from the other cooler, which was filled with a picnic. She passed it to him.
“You said you needed it like air,” she reminded him.
“I did say that, didn’t I?”
He opened the lid, scooped up a bite, and held it out to her. She swallowed the delicious treat. “I should be feeding you.”
“We can take turns. Give-and-take, right?” He took a huge spoonful for himself.
“What now?” She whispered because the words wouldn’t go away.
“For us?” He smiled at her with a quiet sincerity she knew she could trust. For good.
“For all of it.” She gestured wide, meaning to include his house, her house, their parents. Everything.
“Well,” he said, then paused long enough to make her breath hitch. “I was hoping we could make my house our home but, honestly, it doesn’t matter where we live as long as we’re together. I’ve never wanted all of this with anyone. I thought I wasn’t built that way but that wasn’t why. It was because I hadn’t met you. This house is special. We did it together. I want to build a life and a family here with you. I want it to be our home.”
She launched herself at him, not even caring that he held ice cream. He laughed, catching her as he promised he would, managing not to drop the ice cream. He set it down as she straddled his lap on the chair.
“I’m supposed to be making the grand declarations and you’re just doing it all over again.”
He laughed as she buried her face in his neck. “You can declare whatever you want to me, baby.”
“I want everything you just said.” She brought her mouth to his, kissing him, getting lost in the fact that this was really real.
As his hands moved over her body, sending the best kind of shivers over her skin, she pulled back slightly. “I’m second-guessing the cold water.” She nuzzled against him.
“Especially when there’s a jetted tub upstairs,” he said against her neck where he pressed his lips. He handed her the tub of ice cream they’d been sharing. “Hang on to that.” Without warning, he stood, with her in his arms.
She laughed as he carried her through the curtains, up the stairs. “What about the rest of the ice cream?”
He didn’t answer. He was too busy kissing her.
48
Grace stared at the magazine, unsure if she was ready to open it.
“Why are you nervous?” Noah rubbed her shoulders as they both stared down at the shiny cover.
They’d been so busy with Noah’s work on getting donations for the community center, getting ready for Morty and Ti
lly’s wedding, moving in together, she’d forgotten that the magazine hit stands today.
“I don’t know. It’s almost like a snapshot of our relationship. This is the last one.”
“But not the end,” he said, kissing her cheek before resting his chin on her shoulder, his arms looping around her waist.
He’d wait patiently, content to just hold her, which was so different from when they’d first met. Both of them had been in constant motion, not stopping to recognize where the holes and emptiness were in their own lives. Until their worlds collided thanks to a nine-pound Chihuahua.
“What did Rosie say about the offer?” Noah asked, distracting her from her thoughts.
“She loves it. The internship is going to give her a solid foundation but she’s as excited as I am for us to go into business together.”
“I’m so proud of you,” he whispered. He touched the magazine with one finger. “Aren’t you curious?”
“Of course. I just, I don’t know. I’m being silly. Let’s read it.”
HH
HOME AND HEART
It’s what’s inside that counts
HOW A HOUSE BECOMES A HOME; PART 3 OF 3
Story and interview by Emily Swanson
Photographs by Jack Stein
The photo spread that preceded the article was gorgeous. Noah’s home—their home now—before and after the changes. She stared at the glossy photos of the media room, the upstairs bath with the overhead rain-shower faucets. All the little details that they’d chosen together.
Noah came to her side, his hip pressed to her body. She ran her hand over the first page of their article, in awe.
“You have to read the whole thing this time,” he said.
“You, too,” she said, glancing at him.
“I already did. While you were getting ready.”
She smiled, turning back to the magazine. She read the description of their home, how it started, little notes Emily had included in the margins, which made it such a fun article.
“Be right back,” Noah said.
She got lost in the magazine, remembering every minute that the pictures shared. They couldn’t possibly show how much happened behind the scenes. It looked so easy. No one would know, from the captions or words, that she’d lost her heart, found it again during the process.
Emily Swanson (ES): What is the biggest reward of taking on a renovation slash restoration like this?
Grace Travis (GT): Seeing it come together. The end product. Knowing all the hard work was worth it.
Noah Jansen (NJ): I agree. That and looking back to see how far you’ve come. It feels surreal.
Grace heard Noah come back into the kitchen, but her gaze caught on an unexpected photo of her and Noah looking at each other. Laughter and love clearly shone in both of their gazes. What struck her right in the heart was that she remembered the moment. It was before she’d even realized she’d fallen so hard.
She ran her fingers over the glossy photo, got lost in the rest of the article. As she read to the end, the tone changed, confusing her because she didn’t remember all the questions.
ES: Noah, you’ve done so many projects. What makes this one different?
NJ: That’s easy. Grace. I came to California to figure myself out. What I found was the love of my life. The woman who taught me that at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter where you’re standing, but who’s standing next to you.
ES: So, you and Grace fell in love during this project. That’s so romantic.
Grace’s breathing grew heavy. Emily hadn’t asked this in the last interview. Grace picked up the magazine, pulled it closer to her face.
NJ: It is. This house is like us in so many ways. It took time to see what we could become but the more effort we put into each other, the stronger our foundation will be.
ES: So, what does the future hold for you two?
NJ: Anything she wants. But one thing I know is that I plan to make a lot of promises and keep them all.
Grace felt Noah at her side again. She turned her head toward him, the magazine clutched in her fingers. Her smile softened when she saw the bouquet of flowers in his grasp. “I can’t believe you said all of this. To the whole world. When did you do this?”
She set the magazine down, noticed him glance at it.
“I called Emily a couple weeks ago and asked for the add-ins.”
“You’ve basically told them there’ll be a white wedding with all the trimmings.” Was she hyperventilating?
Noah tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “What’s the matter, Gracie? Don’t you want all the trimmings?”
She exhaled, her heartbeat slowing to normal. “Honestly? I just want you.”
“You already have me. I want it all with you. When you’re ready, I’m going to ask you to marry me at a castle in the middle of the happiest place on earth.”
She laughed nervously. “What? In Disneyland? How will you know when I’m ready?” She reached for the flowers to stop her hands from shaking. He gave them to her but stayed close. How would she know? She wanted to marry him, wanted everything for them, but they were just starting out. They were both forging new paths in their careers, getting used to living with each other.
Like he could see the gears turning in her head, he pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Turn the page.”
Grace looked back at the magazine, set the flowers carefully on the countertop, and used her index finger to flip the page. There, nestled in the crease, was an envelope. She took it out, opened the fold, and saw two all-day passes to Disneyland.
She held them up, unable to contain her laughter or excitement. “Tickets?”
He pulled her in close. “Whenever you’re ready, Grace. You’re in control. You’re everything I want. I have no problem waiting but I wanted you to have the promise of something with this magazine. It’s our beginning in more ways than one.”
Wrapping her arms around him, she held tight. “So, what if I said I wanted to go right now, today?”
His breath tickled her ear. “It’d be a tight fit with the wedding you’re officiating tonight but like I said, whatever you want, Gracie.”
“I love you, Noah.”
“I love you, too.” When he pulled back, the intensity in his gaze filled her with happiness.
Morty and Tilly were getting married tonight at sunset. Grace had been practicing her speech all week. She only hoped the words she chose would convey how happy she was for two of her favorite people.
It’d be a celebration of everything. Morty and Tilly had invited everyone Grace and Noah loved, because they said ‘what’s a party without all of your people?’ Grace stared at Noah. What is anything without all of your people. He was hers. Her person. Her home.
“I can’t believe you put it all on me,” she said, setting the tickets down.
Noah arched his brows. “Bet you wait at least six months.”
Her lips quirked. “I see what you did there.”
He gave her an innocent look. “What?”
“Six months, huh. Bet you it’s sooner.”
“I’ll take that bet.” He kissed her again. “Because either way I win.”
Before they got too lost in their kiss, Grace eased back, hoping her gaze conveyed all she felt for this man. Her throat felt tight but her heart was full.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“For what?”
“For showing me that happiness isn’t about where you live or what you achieve. A home isn’t walls, a roof, and a floor. It’s a feeling; it comes with being seen and accepted for who you are. It’s finding the person who makes you feel alive no matter where you are or what you accomplish. The person who makes you feel like you could have nothing and still have everything. It’s unconditional love.”
He swallowed, his gaze bright. “It’s you.”
She shook her head. “It’s us.”
The end. But really, the beginning.
Acknowledgments
Even as I write the acknowledgments for my second book with SMP, I can’t believe it’s real, and I’m this lucky. I might spend a lot of time in my own head, but I’m far from alone, and for that, too, I am grateful.
Thank you, Alex. You’re more than an editor. You’re a wonderful human being, and I feel honored to know and work with you.
The nice part about having a second book is adding in any thank-yous I left unsaid in book one. If I forget again, there’ll be a book three.;)
To DJ and Mary. Thank you for working so hard to get my book in the hands of so many people. Because of you, I’ve not only had my book read but made some lifelong connections and friendships. Thank you, Mara, St. Martin’s Press, and all of the people who took part in making this book shelf-ready.
To Fran. Like Alex, you are more than just a person helping me on my journey. You are a constant, a supporter, an advocate, and someone I am deeply happy to know.
To Matt, Kalie, and Amy. You guys. I love you so much. I know I tell you eight thousand times a day, but now, here it is in print.
To Brenda, Tara, Christy, and Sarah for being patient, thoughtful friends who push me to do better and sit with me when I’m too tired to stand. To Cole and Stacey for your endless enthusiasm and belief in me.
Special shout-out to the people I’ve met because of Ten Rules: Addie. You’re so cool. To Shay, Kelsey, Jessica, Stephanie, Chip, and Sydni Ellis. Thank you for your enthusiastic and kind support. To all of the people who have loved and shared my first book and are looking forward to this second one, thank you.
To Rachel Lynn Solomon for not blocking me after my zillion messages and for agreeing to read my book after I fell in love with yours. To Lyssa Kay Adams, who is always available when I randomly message, who always responds with kindness and encouragement. You are awesome, and so is the wonderful writing group I’ve become part of because of you.
To all the people who are afraid to jump because the landing is uncertain: I hope you find the courage to take the leap. Even when the landing hurts a bit, it is so incredibly worth it.
How to Love Your Neighbor Page 30
