How to Love Your Neighbour(71)

Exactly. A hell of a lot easier to lose money than your heart. He kept the thought to himself.





32


Grace did her best to put the obvious skepticism in Noah’s tone behind her as he parked the truck. You feel the same way. Why judge him for something you agree with? Because if neither of them believed in acting on their feelings or throwing caution to the wind, what were they even doing?

She looked up when Noah stopped. The Art Shop. Her smile widened when she met his gaze.

“Up for something different?”

Grace gave a quick nod. “You like to paint?”

Noah took her hand. “Walls? Not really. This is different.”

“It really is. I thought we were going to grab something to eat,” she said, surprised that he could surprise her so much.

“Give me some credit, Gracie. I know how to treat a girl.” He nudged her with his hip.

When he knocked on the bright yellow wood door, she saw the sign in the window that said CLOSED. Before she could ask him about it, a lock clicked and someone pushed it open.

A woman, probably in her late twenties, wearing a canvas smock, with clear goggles pushed back on her head and paint smearing her hands, greeted them.

“Mr. Jansen?”

“Carrie?”

“Yup. Come on in.”

“We’re excited to have you. We’ve set everything up as requested. The back door locks automatically and I will engage the alarm remotely once you text me that you’re finished. Do you have any questions?”

“No. Thank you for accommodating us.”

“Our pleasure. Dinner is set up.” She pointed to one room. “When you finish, in there, you can head to the back to the Sunset Room. If you need anything, you can call me.”

Noah nodded his head while Grace did her best not to let her jaw drop.

She smiled at Grace, then went down a hallway Grace assumed led to the back exit.

Turning in a circle, Grace took in the walls. One was a swirl of rainbow colors with a quote by Degas in black lettering: “Art is not what you see, it’s what you make others see.” Another wall was a mosaic of colored tiles. Bits of evening sunlight shone through the window, bouncing off those tiles, creating a myriad of colors dancing on the floor.

She’d never been anywhere like this. Grace became acutely aware of the pressure invading her chest. It was like Noah was physically seeping inside of her heart to carve out a cozy spot for himself. One that would leave a hell of an imprint if this didn’t work.

“You good?” Noah’s voice was soft, the front of his body barely touching the back of hers. She turned, much like she had at her house, launching herself at him.

“This is the best date ever,” she whispered into his ear.

Noah lifted her off her feet. “It’s only just started.”

“Still the best.”

Noah’s laughter washed over her skin, making her smile, but when his lips pressed against the sensitive skin of her neck, she had to bite back a heady sigh.

“Let’s eat.”

He led her to a large room with multiple tables. The sign above the door read STUDIO. From the shelves around the room, it looked like this was a do-all room. Paintings dried, brightly colored pottery of different sorts sat side by side, and a few sculptures littered the floor, some as large as Grace.

One of the tables was covered in a soft yellow tablecloth, a vase of daisies in the center. There were two wineglasses, several silver warming trays, and candles burning.

“How?” She could only stare at him.

Noah shrugged. “I had some help.”

She was so blown away, she forgot to censor herself. “How am I supposed to not fall for you?”

He grinned. “Is that the goal?”

She tilted her head from side to side, pretending to weigh the question. “A little bit of falling would be okay.”

He stepped closer. “Good thing.”

“But too much seems unwise.”

Closer. “Who’s to say how much is too much?”

Grace took a deep breath. “I’d like to escape with my heart unscathed,” she whispered.

Both of his hands came to her face, framing it, his thumbs brushing over her cheeks. “I’m afraid there’s no guarantees there, Gracie. But I can tell you it’s not my intention to hurt you.”

God. This was too much for a first date. She suspected that the feeling running around like a wild animal in her chest was the kind of thing that made a woman run off with a boy she loved at seventeen. Like Tammy. Or a full-grown woman move in with a man after only three weeks. This is different. You’re going in with your eyes wide open. Said every person who had their heart broken.

“Don’t overthink it, Gracie. Let’s just enjoy each other.”

She could do that. Hadn’t she already told herself that? She could enjoy him without losing herself. She didn’t even want forever yet. But as his mouth found hers, she lost her train of thought, her convictions, and her mind. All she could do was feel.

When he pulled back, she gave in to his suggestion. “Let’s eat. I’m starving. What’s the plan after this?”

Noah gestured to a stool, waited until she sat before he lifted the lids off the silver domes. “We paint. I’ve heard it’s a great way to get out some energy or frustration. Like, say, an annoying neighbor who’s been a bit of a pain?”