Unexpected Rush (Play-By-Play #11)(80)

Walls were in place, drywall and paint had been completed, as had flooring and the entire kitchen.

The house didn’t look at all the same as it had when she’d first walked in all those weeks ago. Of course, that didn’t surprise her in the least. Jeff and his team were miracle workers. And she was happy with her design choices. With all the new furniture in place, from artwork to pillows to the flowers on the kitchen table, this home had her personal touch all over the place. But she’d also kept in mind who Barrett was, and she hoped she knew him well enough by now to know his likes and his dislikes, and who he was as a person. That always reflected on her design choices. Barrett was a man—definitely all man. Nothing frilly or fancy for him. But she also wanted the home to be aesthetically pleasing.

She hoped Barrett approved.

She heard his car pull up in the driveway, so she smoothed her hands over her dress, fluffed her hair, then went to the front door and opened it.

She stepped outside, smiling at him as she pulled the door shut behind her.

He cocked his head to the side. “It’s not ready?”

“It’s absolutely ready.”

“Then why are we outside?”

“I’m just . . . delaying.”

“Because . . .”

“I’m a little nervous, Barrett.”

His brows raised. “You? Nervous? This is a first. Come on, gorgeous, show me what you’ve done.”

“Before we go in, I want you to know if there’s anything—anything at all—that you don’t like, we can change it. It won’t hurt my feelings at all.”

He reached around her and turned the knob, then brushed his lips across hers. “I’m sure it’s going to be great. Let’s go take a look.”

Since he’d pushed the door open, she had no choice but to take a deep breath and follow him inside. She closed the door and stood at the entry, waiting for him to take his first look at the remodeled living room.

It was now open and expansive, the once formal living area now not so formal. They’d redone the fireplace so it was more modern with stone, and a TV was mounted above it. Two sofas sat across from each other, with plenty of seating for guests. The room now had French doors that led out to the sunroom. Barrett didn’t say anything, just walked through the doors and into the sunroom.

Biting her bottom lip, Harmony followed him.

“Wow,” he finally said. “I like this room.”

She grinned. “I thought you might.”

The sunroom had been created to provide a play area when the weather wasn’t so great outside. There was a bar set off to the side, a TV mounted on the wall, tables and chairs at both ends, along with a pool table that would double as a Ping-Pong table. It was a true entertainment area. And beyond the sunroom was the backyard.

“I love the yard,” Barrett said, as he stepped through the door.

“I do, too,” she said, moving next to him. “I think the landscaper did a great job with planting tall trees and bushes near the hot tub and against the house and surrounding the pool to afford privacy, but still providing enough of an opening so you’ll be able to see the water from the family room.”

He nodded. “It’s perfect.”

So far, so good.

They went back in through the sunroom and French doors, then continued through the living room and into the dining room, where there was a large solid wood table big enough to fit the entire Cassidy family and then some.

Barrett swept his fingertips along the table as they walked by. “I remember choosing this table. I really like it. My dad will like it. And my mom will love these chairs with the pattern on the cushions.” He turned to her. “But it’s not fussy, so I like it, too.”

Her lips curved. Score another one for the dining room.

They made their way into the kitchen, which was one of Harmony’s favorite rooms.

Now she saw Barrett really smile. “Yeah, this is totally different, isn’t it?”

“Yes. I love the gray granite countertops and the dark wood cabinetry,” she said. “Plus, the appliances are all killer. I would love to cook at that six-burner stove.”

“I think putting the wine fridge in here was a good idea,” he said, opening it up and grinning at the wine stock. “I’m glad you fought me for it.”

“I think you’ll be happy it’s here.”

“I’m happy the whole thing is here. It was such a big kitchen, but man it was ugly before. Now it’s awesome. I really like the island with all the seating. Good place to throw a party.”

She laughed. “Barrett, your entire house is a good place to throw a party now.”

“True. I guess I’ll have to have one, then.”

“I guess you will. Are you ready to head upstairs?”

He nodded, and she followed him upstairs. Two of the three spare bedrooms had been redone with tile floors that looked like wood, as was the rest of the house. It would be perfect for the weather and people coming in with wet feet from the pool. For the spare bedrooms, Barrett had decided on queen beds. The other bedroom had been turned into an office for Barrett. He’d chosen the one with a view of the water, and they’d decided on built-in furniture that fit the room, but left the closet intact so that at any point he could convert the room back into a bedroom.