“I thought you were still in love with her.”
His expression turned contemplative.
“This probably makes me an asshole, but I’m not sure I ever was. I didn’t realize it until then.”
After we made our goodbyes to Neil, Jake and I got in our respective vehicles, and I followed him back to the house. I sang along to the radio, my good mood restored now that Jake admitted he wasn’t interested in my sexy-as-sin lawyer. Maybe I shouldn’t be so happy about that, but I was.
When we got home, Jake waited for me by the front door. There was something apprehensive in his expression.
“Everything okay?” I asked.
He grunted his agreement, and I bit back a smile. He talked more around me than he did most people, but he needed recovery time after being out in a crowd. I loved being part of a noisy, talkative group, but I was also good on my own. When we were kids, though, Jake preferred one-on-one conversation or solitude.
It was nice to know some things never changed.
All thoughts flew from my head as I stepped through the doorway. Most of the lights were turned down, but the dining area was lit up like a Christmas tree. As if I were drawn by a magnet, my feet carried me forward.
Tears filled my eyes. I found Jake’s hand and squeezed it, too choked up for words. He squeezed it back before he stepped away.
“It’s a create-and-recharge space. For you, obviously.”
With a nervous smile, he directed me to my reading chair, which was draped with a soft, inviting blanket. All my books were in the bookcase next to it, and there was a small accent table perfect for a cup of tea.
I took that in with a glance. As much as I loved it, my eyes lingered on the gorgeous wood drafting table with a tilting easel. I’d always wanted one, but they were expensive. The paints Vanessa bought me last year that I never opened sat on the low shelf attached to the legs, and a blank canvas was positioned on the easel.
When I had my emotions under control, I looked again at Jake. His body was riddled with tension as he gauged my reaction.
“This is the nicest thing anybody’s ever done for me,” I sobbed.
I threw my arms around him, crying into his shirt. He stood frozen before he hugged me back. Jake held me until I composed myself.
“I’m sorry,” I sniffled, “I love it.”
He sagged with relief.
“You said you hadn’t painted in years, but you commented about how great the light was in here. It had to happen.”
“You must have spent a fortune. I already owe you so much.”
His face creased in a frown.
“Fuck that shit. You don’t owe me anything, and it didn’t cost very much.”
He laughed.
“I had the idea, but your mom made it happen. She took me to an estate sale. It was fun to wander around but terrifying how she haggled them down to nothing. They didn’t have easels, but I thought the drafting table could work. If not, you can use it for your laptop when you’re working on designs. You need a place to work.”
He cleared his throat as he pointed at the various things in my new space.
“The stool came from your mom. It was from her sewing room. Vanessa brought over some fresh canvas earlier tonight, and she helped set up the space.”
He opened the armoire along the far wall. It was painted a pale color to blend in with the walls. With so much else, I hardly noticed it, but now I was riveted.
“I removed the bottom shelves and added wooden dowels so you could stack smaller canvases upright in here. Vanessa also got the box of art supplies from your room and put everything in here. I swear, I didn’t go through your things.”
“Do you like it?” he asked gruffly.
“I love it,” I said. “Truly, it’s amazing.”
