“I liked the Blenheim fixtures.”
Just the ones he would have chosen. “Good. We have plenty of both styles on hand in our warehouse, but I think the Blenheim is more in keeping with the look of the house. I know you had a chance to check out Eli’s suggestions for landscaping. He wants to keep it clean, simple, and accessible. Any last-minute concerns?”
“No. I love the way he styled the front walkway. The grey paving stones are a great choice.”
“Eli understands curb appeal. He’ll make it welcoming. What did you think of Nick’s idea for the deck in back?”
“I love it. I can’t believe he can fit a deck into that small backyard.”
“I know he’s my little brother, but Nick is the best in the decking business. He’ll transform the space so you’ll have a peaceful spot to relax on your breaks.”
“It must be great to work with your brothers. You seem to get along so well on the show.” She elbowed him. “Please tell me it’s not an act.”
“It’s not. They’re good guys. We’re lucky it’s all worked out. Of course, that doesn’t mean I don’t want to wring their necks some days. Okay, most days.” God, he sure smiled a lot in her presence. Hopefully he wasn’t starting to resemble a toothy jack-o-lantern. “Do you have siblings?”
“One older brother.”
“What does he do?”
“Chris is a poet-in-residence.”
“For real? Didn’t they die out in the old days like the guys who squash grapes with their feet?”
“Apparently not. He’s paid by the university to write poetry and to help with classes and community programs. It’s actually a prestigious job. You have to go through some hoops to get it. He made more money this past quarter writing limericks than I did all year.”
Michael burst out laughing. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to laugh.”
“No, it’s okay. It’s not always easy having a poetic genius for a brother, but I just try to bask in the glow of his talent.”
“As long as he’s happy, I guess.”
“Happy? Chris is delirious. Because he talks about love poems all day long, the starry-eyed girls in his classes think he’s the Second Coming.”
He leaned toward her, speaking in conspiratorial tones, breathing in her scent. “And you don’t have stars in your eyes?”
If anything, the twinkle in her eyes doused. “I’m too practical for stars. Besides, eventually stars fall.”
Her words made him sad and suspicious about whoever inspired her to say them. He held her gaze for a moment, probably a moment too long. This conversation had suddenly put him on edge, but it was an edge he was all too eager to tread. Emily filled him with awareness, a clarity he hadn’t felt in some time. It signalled all her womanly attributes, highlighting them as if with a neon-colored marker, and it reminded him he was a man.
What did she mean in saying stars fell? Was she unhappy with Trent? Maybe it was the reason her fiancé didn’t come to the meeting.
He had no business wondering. She belonged to someone else. Thanks to his experiences, he was a firm believer in respecting the sanctity of an established relationship. Emily was as off limits as they came. She might not be married yet, but she was committed. Commitment might not mean much to some people, but for him, the concept carried weight. His parents had modeled a good marriage for him, even during their ups and downs, and he wanted that for himself one day. He wanted it enough he’d never take another person’s relationship for granted.
Besides, he had only just sorted his own head out over Lacey. He planned to take it easy in the dating department for the next while. With HGTV possibly knocking on his door, he didn’t have time to screw around.
Emily asked a question about the main floor powder room, so they moved into that area and they discussed his plan. Their conversation eased back into comfortable territory. As long as they talked fixtures and floorboards and square footage, Michael could almost forget he was attracted to her.
Standing close to him in the small bathroom, she leaned over to inspect a chipped cupboard door. Her bottom brushed against his thigh.
He stepped away with the speed of someone who’d been scalded by a hot iron.
Okay, maybe he hadn’t quite forgotten he was attracted to her.
Emily stood, seemingly oblivious to his rattled state of mind. She turned, realized how close she stood to him, and stepped back. “I’m so glad this house will get a new lease on life. I know my grandmother is happy, wherever she is.”
“I’m sorry she won’t get to see it. I would have enjoyed meeting her.”
Her face wobbled as she forced a smile, but he glimpsed the shine in her eyes. This project meant the world to her.
