How to Love Your Neighbour(77)
“You two have such an easy rapport,” Emily said, coming in from the kitchen area, where she’d been finishing up a call.
“That’s because I’m so charming,” Noah said, reaching out and snagging Grace’s hand to pull her down next to him. They’d been seeing each other this way for two weeks now. When would the little belly flip she got every time he touched her, kissed her, looked at her, fade? If you’re lucky, never.
Emily opened her small laptop. “Okay. I have a series of questions, just like last time, then I’d like you to walk me through the plans for the next reno.” She flipped through some papers. “It’s the rest of the downstairs, correct? There are three bedrooms, a powder room, and laundry area. Are you doing anything with the entryway?”
Grace answered, seeing as she had the design plans memorized. They talked through a few of the plans, some of which were already in the works.
“Okay, what’s the hardest part of a design from your perspective, Grace?”
She thought about that a moment. Not quite as easy to do with Noah’s thigh mashed against her own. “Listening to each other. Both the client and the designer are going to have several thoughts about each step of the process. Ideas and visions might change. You need to be able to trust in each other enough to listen to what the other is saying and to speak your mind. Everyone needs to remember they have the same end goal.”
Emily nodded. “That makes sense. Noah, as the homeowner, what’s hard on you?”
Noah curled his arm around Grace’s shoulder. “Getting actively involved without stepping outside my own range. I’ve never been this close to a project before. It’s never really been personal. Now that it is, I want my stamp on it but design isn’t my background. Being able to communicate with Grace so my vision can come to life isn’t always easy.”
“Why is this the one that became personal?” Emily asked with a smile.
Grace turned her face, curious about his answer.
“I was actively seeking something different. Both personally and professionally. I moved here from New York to work with my brother and rebrand myself. I wanted a home base. I was staying not too far from here and one morning, I went for a run, took a break near this place and, this probably sounds cheesy, but, it called to me. I thought about waking up every day, seeing that same view. The idea made me happy.”
“Would you say it’s meant to be?”
Noah rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t know. Maybe. It’s been eye-opening. There’s so much pleasure to be had in going through the process. Really, it’s watching it go from something simple, like this room that had a wall up there.” He pointed toward the dining table that had also arrived. “It cut off the kitchen completely, except for a small doorway. The floors were dull, the walls boring. Now,” he said, shaking his head, looking from the window seat to the kitchen. “Now it’s magnificent and I got to see every step of the transformation. I even picked this couch.”
Grace nearly choked on her own spit. “Excuse me?”
He squirmed from side to side on the cushion. “Yup. Sat on it, knew right then, it was the one. I’m still learning but I think I have an eye for this stuff.”
Emily’s grin suggested she knew Noah was full of it. “I’ll go off the record for this for a moment because I realize it’s none of my business and doesn’t tie in to the article, but, you two are clearly a couple now.”
Grace’s cheeks warmed but Noah nodded. “She couldn’t resist me. At first, it was just my handsome face and amazing physique but I think what really caught her were my designing sensibilities. She had me design a canvas for her house.”
Laughter bubbled up as Grace stared at Noah. “You are utterly ridiculous today.” She looked at Emily. “We are a couple now. Did you want to see the rooms we’re working on this week?”
Emily stood. “Absolutely. For the record, but not the magazine one, you two are adorable together.” She shut her laptop and slipped it into her bag.
Noah stood up, squeezed Grace’s hand as she got up. “That’s all Gracie. And for the record? So are all the wicked design ideas.”
They walked through, with Grace showing Emily the front room. It was going to have off-white walls, a daybed full of luxury pillows, soft curtains, and a beautiful antique writing desk Grace found at Mi Casa when she’d gone back last week.
“I’m calling this one Vanilla Essence.”
“Lovely,” Emily said, writing it down.
They moved past the middle room so she could explain the third bedroom. It would be deep grays and blues with dark wood furniture. The powder room would also get an uplift but was such a small space, she had to keep it basic.
“This sounds like it’s going to be wonderful.”
“Why won’t you tell her what the second room is going to be?” Noah leaned on the hallway wall.
Grace grinned. “Because then I’d have to tell you.”
They spoke more about the second and third issues of the magazine. The first one had sold well. Grace had a list of calls to return. She’d had business cards made up and gone over the remaining projects with her teachers to see which assignments had criteria that could be met by what she was doing.
“Oh, I almost forgot. You were on the phone, Noah, when Jack left. He asked me to give this to both of you.” Emily pulled out a manila envelope, passed it over. “I’ll touch base and send a copy by the end of next week. Grace, if you can email me the particulars, like a website if you have it, I can include that in this issue.”