‘Not for us?’ She lets out a small huff, and I decide to put her out of her misery.
I take her hand.
'Come on,' I say quietly, gently. 'Let me show you the rest.'
We go back out to the main hallway and through the second door, which led into the storage space. She doesn't say anything, but she gives me a look as I go to one of the shelves and press a hidden button on the wall behind. The panel slides out smoothly and quietly, revealing an opening.
I flash her a grin and go through first, hoping the guys are in here. I hear her gasp of surprise as we enter a lavish living space with a TV on the wall, a sound system, and soft lighting that mimics the daytime.
I go to one of the bookshelves on the wall and push another button; it slides open to reveal the lab.
She lets out a small hum of excitement as she goes into the space, breathing out slowly.
‘Wow,' she breathes, looking back at me with a shocked face.
I give her a sardonic look in return. 'You thought it would be the same as before?’
‘I… Yes,’ she admits.
I step closer to her and take her face in my hands. ‘I’m sorry it’s not exactly. I know you don’t like it when things aren’t how you expected.’
Her expression is rueful. ‘That’s true. I do likethisthough. It looks great.’
I raise my brows. ‘I'm just glad I was able to make all the payments before I was cut off by my brother,' I chuckle. 'Odds are, by the time he realizes, it'll be too late to try and get the money back. It was pocket change to him anyway.'
She nods, looking around the lab again.
'So, this is?—'
'Just an upgrade,' I say. 'We don't have to live here. We don't have to do anything here. But we wanted it to be a place where you would feel comfortable spending time with us.'
She wraps her arms around my waist, giving me a quick hug before she leaves the lab again, obviously curious to find more.
Towards the back of the suite is an open archway. It leads to a small kitchen area, which then follows on to the bedroom. I follow her closely.
'Do you like it?' I ask as she sees the massive bed in the bedroom and the rest of the room that mimics what our old room looked like before it was destroyed.
She clasps my hand hard. 'Yes,' she whispers. 'You made it look exactly the same.'
'Of course. We figured this would be the most important to you,' I say, putting my arm around her.
I open the next door that leads to the bathroom, showing her the large space that has been created with a bath and everything.
'Won't it be damp?' she asks.
I point at the ceiling panels. 'I've had a state-of-the-art system installed. Nothing will flood, nothing will get damp. All of it is temperature and humidity controlled.'
'Perfect,' she mutters, almost to herself.
'Does she like it?' I hear Blake say from behind me, and I turn around to find them both in the doorway.
'I thought you guys would be in here,' I say.
'We wanted to give her space to take a look,' Mav says. 'Well?' he asks Daisy. 'Do you like it, Tulip?'
She comes to him and hugs him hard.
'I love it,' she says, smiling up at him.
