He takes the bag from my grasp and puts the strap over his shoulder. “Let’s get you settled in then,” he suggests, his hand lightly touching my back, guiding me through the doorway.
As we walk down the quiet hallway, curiosity nudges me to ask, “Where’s everyone else?”
“They’re out, hunting for our dinner,” he admits sheepishly. “I might have fucked up the casserole.” I catch a glimpse of a faint blush coloring his cheeks as I turn to face him in front of my room.
“Oh my God, now that you mention it, there is a hint of burnt smell here.” I chuckle, teasing him.
His eyes narrow, but a smile dances on his lips. “Yeah, let’s not dwell on that,” he jests, nudging me toward my room.
I open the door, and for a moment, I’m taken aback. I hadn’t given much thought about it today, expecting nothing more than the previously impersonal guest room.
But it’s not anymore.
My eyes widen in surprise as I take in the changes. Shelves now adorn the wall, brimming with books and Switch games. Onthe desk sits a potted herb. Pineapple weed. It’s now a familiar scent, subtly perfuming the air and making me think of Nash.
Beside it sits a beautiful blue notebook and a shiny new laptop. The room radiates warmth with its earthy tones, echoing the cozy interior of my van. The bed has new sheets, extra pillows, and a fuzzy blanket. Seascape pictures, likely Saylor’s work, add a touch of beauty to the walls.
“What… oh my God.” I gasp, my voice a mix of awe and disbelief. My fingers brush against the soft fabric of the bed covers, tracing the fabric. Above the bed, fairy lights twinkle gently against the wall, and a sleek, modern radio stands beside it.
“That’s… you did all this for me?” I ask, turning to face him, my heart swelling with mixed emotions.
“This is your home now, your room,” North reassures me, his voice earnest and warm. “I wanted to make sure you never feel like just a guest again. I tried to make it as cozy as possible, but there’s room for your personal touch. We can go out anytime to add things you want. I didn’t want to overdo it, considering you have your own things. But you can spread them in the rest of the house too if you want. It’s yours as much as ours. We all want you to feel comfortable here.”
“I…” Words fail me. It hits me that he’s put so much thought and effort into making this space mine. As I look around, it dawns on me how well he knows me, even though I thought he didn’t, and how every detail reflects what I like and my style.
As I continue to scan the room, my eyes land on a picture frame resting on the other nightstand. Leaning in, I recognize the photo of all the Jones boys that used to be on the living room’s fireplace.
“Nash was so happy I took it down.” North chuckles, a playful glint in his eyes that sends a flutter through my heart. “Can’t wait to see his reaction when he finds it here.”
My mind is numb. I don’t even know how to react to all of this.
I love it so much.
North steps closer, his hands finding my hips, pulling me gently toward him. “Do you like it? I can’t really tell. We can change anything you don’t?—”
I cut him off with a quick, impulsive kiss, leaving him momentarily stunned. As he gazes at me in surprise, I can’t help but snicker.
I take the bag from him, turning to place it near the closet. “I love it… all of it,” I assure him. “Though, you shouldn’t have splurged on the radio and new laptop. I already have one.”
“One that was practically begging for retirement,” he mumbles, coming to stand beside me. “But the laptop and notebook aren’t from me. Hunter thought you could use it for your business plan for the shop.”
I pause, the gravity of their support hitting me.
They’ve given me a home and the means to start my dream.
I turn to North. “Are you really okay with me opening a shop in your old building?”
“I’m more than okay. I think it’s a fantastic idea. And I’d love to help,” he offers, his eyes sincere. “I might not be the best to help with turning the space into a shop.” I look over his shoulder at the picture of a lighthouse with a sunset in the back that hangs there more than a little crooked, and I have to suppress a smile. “But I’m pretty good with numbers, calculations, legal stuff.”
“Thank you, that would be amazing,” I reply, genuinely grateful.
This is all a little too much, so I bend to unpack my clothes and open the closet, only to find it already full. I let out a surprised, “Oh,” assuming it’s someone else’s leftovers.
North laughs, moving closer behind me. “This is all for you.”
I turn to him, puzzled. “For me?”
“Yeah, I went shopping for you. If there’s anything you don’t like, we can return it. I just thought you needed more than the few things you had, especially warmer clothes, even if you have a washing machine now,” he teases, smiling.
