She nods, but she continues watching me. Memorizing something about this moment before it’s gone.
“You said you can’t breathe when we’re in the same room.” She pauses, blinking once. “I hope you know you make it easier for me to breathe.”
I avert my gaze because I’m afraid of the look on my own face if I don’t. I’m afraid she’ll see that I believe her. I’m afraid she’ll know that she’s starting to matter too much.
I stand and step back, giving her space to climb the stairs to the loft. She hesitates for a second before going up, and I don’t move until she disappears inside. My muscles feel tight as I head back to the main house.
Inside, I kick off my boots and drop onto the couch, staring at the ceiling. Only then do I allow myself to breathe.
I want her.
I want her so badly it’s becoming a problem.
It makes me want to help ease some of this mess in her head. She’s stressed—worried about the timeline of things. That’s something I can help with.
I pull my phone out, staring at the blank screen for a good thirty seconds before opening my messages.
I don’t do this.
I don’t reach out for help.
I handle things on my own.
But after seeing how much of a mess she is over this and thinking about everything we still need to finish, I admit to myself something that feels a lot like surrender.
We need some help.
I click Griffin’s name and send him a text before I can talk myself out of it.
Me
I need your help.
EPISODE SIX
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH
Welcomeback toNailed It or Failed It! We’re taking things outside on today’s episode, because it turns out the yard is just as wild as the chemistry between these two.
An overgrown yard and a few stubborn roots make this a project much bigger than expected. But don’t worry, this small town believes in community. You never know who might wander over with a power washer…or an opinion.
Let’s just say, when the locals show up, so do a few surprises.
Sometimes the ones that surface aren’t plants at all.
So grab your gloves and your shovels.
It’s time for a makeover none of us saw coming.
CHAPTER 22
YOU’RE FLIRTING WITH DANGER, SCOTTIE.
Scottie
I spend the morning doing a walk around in the house, taking mental note of the big projects we should tackle as soon as possible, in case we run out of time. To my surprise, we really have gotten far with this house. While there’s a lot left that has to be done, it feels like a whole new house. The same bones are still alive, but on the surface…it’s starting to shine.
I hate that I let my mother’s voice get to me as much as it did the last few days. But her words left me spiraling—feeling inadequate. This house felt like a jigsaw puzzle dumped on a table. It was a scattered mess. Once I started putting the pieces together and seeing it come to life and pushing the negative thoughts down, it got easier—it feels easier.
