“Be strong,” Lizzy whispered.
Winking at her, I turned to my loud-mouthed sister. “That is our new place until the house is rebuilt.”
“That?” she snorted. “Oh, my God, it’s built for like…a dog! How are you gonna live in that?”
“Easy. That’s where we’ll sleep. It’s not like we need more space than that for a few months.”
“Yeah, but what about baths? What about her closet?”
“Believe it or not, not every woman’s closet has as many clothes as yours,” I retorted.
“They should. I just don’t get it. I have a spare room. You could have stayed with me. Or even Lizzy. We all know you’re her favorite.”
Lizzy flushed bright red. “I have no favorites.”
“Oh, please. Michael has always been your favorite. It would be a surprise if you ever managed to piss him off.”
“I’m sure I’ll find a way somehow.”
Krista snorted at that, but I didn’t care. Lizzy really was my favorite. So sweet and innocent, it was hard to be mad at her for anything she did. Plus, she was always on my side, always looking out for me when others would make my life harder.
What man wouldn’t like that?
“Well, I think it’s adorable,” Lizzy smiled. “And just think how homey you can make it until the house is ready.”
“Yeah, the trailer will be rocking every night. Careful you don’t destroy the foundation,” Krista said mockingly. “Oh, wait. There isn’t a foundation.”
“Well, I want to see the inside. I think it’s exciting!” Lizzy said, tugging me toward the tiny house.
The closer we got, the more excited I became, but that was only because Lizzy’s smile had a way of doing that to me.
I realized then that Lizzy and Blake were a lot alike. When Blake saw this house and smiled at me, I knew I couldn’t deny her anything. Because she wanted it, I would gladly give up every last penny I owned to have it.
They might have completely different personalities, but in so many ways, they’d probably end up being best friends.
I followed her grudgingly over to the tiny house and stepped up into the confined space. There definitely wasn’t any privacy. Anything that was said in the other room could be heard on this end of the house. But still, it was comfy enough for just the two of us.
“Ooh, what’s up there?” Lizzy asked, pointing to the loft above us.
“That’s either another sleeping space or storage.”
“Better keep it as a sleeping space,” Krista snorted.
“And why’s that?”
“Well, it’s obvious that the two of you are going to get in fights from time to time. Might as well have someplace to go other than this cramped thing you call a couch.”
She might have a point, not that I would admit it.
“So, where’s your bedroom?” Lizzy asked, peering around our father.
“At the end,” I pointed. “There’s a folding door, so we can have a little privacy.”
“Ooh!” Lizzy rushed over to the stairs. “Look at all this storage space!”
She pulled out drawer after drawer along the side of the stairs, marveling at the depth of each one. When she was done with that, she climbed the steps, practically jumping for joy when she saw it split in two directions.
“You have two loft spaces! This is amazing! I see a sleepover in the future!”
