“This was supposed to be a guest room,” he said, “but I turned it into a gym.”
Beth stepped inside, taking in the fully equipped setup—weights neatly racked against the wall, a treadmill and stationary bike side by side, and a sleek multi-station machine tucked into the corner. Built-in shelves lined the opposite wall, stocked with towels, water bottles, and a variety of protein bars.
There was even a glass-door fridge, well-stocked with Gatorades and protein shakes.
No wonder Bryce was in such good shape.
He opened the next door. “This is the actual guest room, and since I don’t have guests, I mostly use it as an office.”
Beth stepped inside and immediately noticed something missing.
No bed.
Her eyes flicked over the room—the sleek built-ins, the tidy workspace. A massive desk ran almost the entire length of the far wall, with a chair centered beneath a window that overlooked the garden section of the patio. The desk connected seamlessly to a towering, floor-to-ceiling bookshelf on the adjoining wall.
Everything was clean, modern, and masculine—dark woods, deep grays, subtle navy accents. It was undeniably his style.
But where was the bed?
She didn’t ask.
Instead, a new thought crept in, unbidden. Were they sharing a room?
Beth’s jaw dropped as she stepped inside the next room, the master suite. Massive. Beautiful. Almost too much.
The California king-size bed barely made a dent in the vast space, positioned to face the floor-to-ceiling windows lining the wall opposite the door. Like downstairs, the glass wall showcased spectacular views. A glass door on the right side of the room led to a private balcony with a small sitting area.
The room was done in soft blues and grays, striking a perfect balance between masculine and feminine.
The statement wall behind the bed was painted to resemble a geode, swirling with deep navy, rich golds, and crisp whites—bold yet elegant. Modern furnishings gave the space structure, while plush textures and subtle metallic accents softened it, making the room both sophisticated yet inviting.
Beth was too stunned to speak as she wandered slowly through her new room.
A sleek partition had been set up around a fireplace and wet coffee bar, sectioning off a reading nook from the rest of the space. It felt intentional—like a private retreat within an already luxurious suite.
She ran her hand along the edge of the partition, taking in the intimate space. The overstuffed chair, big enough for two. The soft white rug. Bookshelves lined with titles she recognized instantly.Back to Youby Jess Mastorakos.Miles Bailey Gets Down on One Kneeby Jen Atkinson.My Lucky Charmby Courtney Walsh.That Fine Lineby Cindy Steel.True Honorby Dee Henderson. As well as what looked like every other book they had ever written.
The candle from her old apartment. Her favorite blanket.
Her gaze landed on a framed photo of them in Vegas, tucked onto a shelf beside a bouquet of wildflowers, her Bible, and the journal she kept for her quiet time.
Her stomach flipped.
This wasn’t just a space for reading.
It was a space for her.
Bryce had made sure of it.
Beth turned slowly, her voice soft with wonder. “Did you seriously buy every book my favorite authors have ever written?”
“Kim helped,” Bryce said from behind her, his tone casual but laced with meaning. “Gave me a list—and a few ideas for what else you might want in your reading cove.”
Beth crossed the room and wrapped her arms around him, pressing her cheek to his chest. She couldn’t find the words, and thankfully, he didn’t ask for any.
He just held her.
After a beat, Bryce murmured, “I have an errand to run, but I put your clothes in the closet with mine if you want a shower after work.” His hand smoothed down her back. “Anything you need me to grab while I’m out?”
