How to Love Your Neighbour(46)

“I’m not who you want.” She couldn’t get over that part. Especially since it was the truth both personally and professionally.

“Professionally, you weren’t my first choice. I won’t be disappointed, though. I know I won’t. Personally, you know that’s not true. Truthfully, not going there with me will ensure you won’t be disappointed.” He gave a rough laugh.

Noah looked down a moment, like the answers to life were on her coffee table. Letting out a deep sigh, he brought his gaze back to Grace’s. “I haven’t been fair to you. You have every reason to be wary. The truth is, I’ve never met anyone like you. I’m not great at friendships. I’m shit at relationships. I don’t even bother trying because I know myself too well. But I care about you, Grace. You snuck in when few people do. You’re talented. Really talented. Even though I’ve been a jerk, I haven’t missed that. I trust you. I’m asking you to take this ride with me.”

The ache just below her ribs spread out, overtaking her entire upper body. She wanted those words to be about something else. About life. One they could share together. She’d never met anyone like him. A man who made her laugh and forget all of the things she’d focused on for so long. He made her feel like she’d finally woken up. Even when he was driving her mad, he was making her think. Which is exactly why you should take this. She could trust in the business side of Noah Jansen. She could not, would not, trust him with her heart.

“I’m honored. Truly.”

“You’ll do it?” He nearly bounced off the couch.

“I’d be an idiot not to. This is an incredible opportunity. I need to know all the details.” She couldn’t possibly work around three jobs, school, and this.

“Josh is working on all the details. He’s having papers drawn up. Emily is coming over tomorrow evening, hoping we’ll have a plan in place at the very least.” Noah grinned the grin that made her feel like she was floating away on balloons.

“What now?”

“We brainstorm, you draw up designs, I get picky and annoy you. We shop, we create. We go all in and make these magazine spreads unlike any they’ve ever seen.”

“I have to walk the dogs at seven. I need some sleep.” Like she’d get any.

“Okay. You can come over to my place later?”

She stood, unable to stay still as she quelled the urge to jump up and down. “I can. I have to ask this straight-out because I have two jobs. It feels a bit awkward but business is business.”

He nodded, like he read her mind. He stood up. “I’ll be paying you very well, Grace. Count on it.”

She frowned. “What you’d pay a designer.” Like he felt about his father’s name, she didn’t want favors.

“Plus ten percent for the last-minute ask and inconvenience of you having to shift your life around.”

She nodded. That was totally fair. She’d give Ellie her notice at the coffee shop. It was going to happen pretty soon anyway. Gears turned faster than normal. Could she use this as her Application of Design final project? It would be ideal if she could. She’d be able to use class time if Mrs. Kern approved it.

“Deal.”

Noah reached out his hand to shake Grace’s. She stood, locked her hand in his. The sparks didn’t disappear, but they were easier to ignore when she knew her dreams were about to come true.

“Good night. See you tomorrow.”

She walked him to the door, sank against it after he left. She was a designer. She’d hurdled about twenty milestones on her professional journey. It couldn’t be real. She had to be dreaming. Looking down at her bedraggled outfit, she snorted with laughter. If she was dreaming, she should have at least dressed herself up.

Punch-drunk with excitement and exhaustion, Grace dragged herself up to bed. Surprisingly, she nodded off without too much tossing and turning. The few times she woke, she was pretty sure she did it with a smile on her face.





21


Mrs. Kern had been cautiously excited for Grace when she shared the news. She also recognized Noah’s and Emily’s names. She put Grace in contact with a contract lawyer she knew through the university. Grace didn’t know how to broach that with Noah, but since he lived and breathed business, it shouldn’t surprise him that she wanted her own eyes on the deal. Grace also needed to figure out how to ask if Noah would give a talk to her class, but that hadn’t stopped her from telling her favorite teacher she’d check.

Showing up at his house later filled her with foreign butterflies. The kind that tumbled and danced with the excitement of the trusted unknown. This was a “win-win” for her; she’d do the spreads, become a famous designer to the stars, or she’d do the spreads, no stars would beat down her door but she’d have transformed Noah’s four-bedroom house into a luxury home. She was going to graduate with the kind of professional experience she’d only ever dreamed of having.

Noah pulled the door open. He was dressed in his usual jeans and a T-shirt, and she wondered, not for the first time, if the way her heart bounced in his presence would impact her work. You won’t let it.

“Come on in. Emily can’t wait to meet you,” Noah said, gesturing his hand toward the kitchen.

She felt more than heard him following behind her as she traveled toward the voices. In the kitchen, Josh and Emily looked over magazines, their heads bent close. Josh and Rosie had been out once, and her friend was more than a little smitten.