I roll my eyes, and she laughs. “I’m not sure I’ve recovered from your first project for me and already you have another one.”
“Ha! Anotherone? That’s cute. But on that note, I wasjust talking to Callie,” she says, pointing to her laptop. “She sends her love.”
My ears twitch with dread. “Really?”
“Said you’re lucky to have me.”
“Mm.”
If by lucky, she means permanently flustered and edging toward a sexual crisis, then yes, very lucky.
“She’s so gorgeous, isn’t she?” Mia adds casually, sipping from her mug.
My face twists in confusion. That’s… random. And so far from where my mind was. “Calista?”
“Mm-hmm,” she confirms matter-of-factly.
Never once have I looked at my friend that way. Callie’s beautiful, sure. The way all sisters are. She could be dragged across hot asphalt, and I’d still think that. Her beauty is definitely not the first thing I think of when someone mentions her. Calista is April’s chaos twin, all fire and inappropriate commentary.
I say nothing. Probably because the only woman I have eyes for lately is right in front of me.Sheis gorgeous.
From the pink cheeks and flicker in Mia’s eyes, I don’t have to.
“Anyway…” She spins the laptop back to face me. “I want to show you something. Keep an open mind, yeah?”
There’s a full presentation there. Swatches. Mood boards. Pictures of my bombsite bathroom—its floor plan.
“Was breaking it part of getting rid of Blake too?”
I shake my head. “No. I just needed to break something. And it was the farthest space from Lily’s room. Less risk of her walking in or being bothered by the noise and mess.”
Her eyes soften. “And the renovation?”
“I foolishly thought I could handle it myself.”
That earns me her laughter. It’s loud and genuine. It hits me square in the chest.
“Sorry,” she says, still grinning. “But maybe… now's the time to do it properly. A full reset.”
I can admit defeat. It’s obvious I’m in way over my head.
“Not the worst idea,” is what the caveman in me says instead.
“Callie called in a favor with her interior designer. She has time to come by this week if you’re interested.” Mia taps a key that opens the lady’s website and shows me her portfolio. “Say the word, and I’ll send her the pictures and measurements of your bathroom today.”
I watch Mia’s face as she speaks, lit up with purpose. I don’t think this is just about making the house nicer. It’s about making it livable. Making it new and mine.
I lean my waist back against the counter, arms crossed, the buzz of the green tea and endorphins mellowing into something softer.
“Go ahead, and send me her number,” I say. “Thank you. For all of this.”
“You’re welcome,” she replies. “There’s more, though.”
Of course there is.
“You ready?” Her shoulder lifts, tentative.
I look at Mia for a long moment. She sees the cracks I’ve ignored and wants to mend them. For me. For Lily. So I might not be exactly ready, but I’m listening.
