Page 52 of Built to Last

“Hard to do when you’re my sister,” she replies. “If there is one thing I’ve learned by being kind of alone the majority of my life it’s that you make your own family. We spend all this time thinking blood is thicker than water, but sometimes that thickness is something that drags you down. Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.” I hate that I put that serious look on her face. I love how much she smiles now, how comfortable she is in her own skin.

“I call you my sister. I truly think of you and Anika that way. If anyone asks about my family, it’s you two and Heath I talk about. How do you think of me? What place do I hold in your heart?” She holds out a hand. “It’s okay to say I’m a friend. It won’t make me love you less or think of you in a different way. I don’t have the ties you have so I might not understand them. I’m just curious.”

Tears prick at my eyes, and I reach for that hand. I need her to hear me. “You are my sister. I don’t need blood to know you two are my core family. Hell, I’m the one who poked and prodded when you were in San Francisco. I did everything I could to keep us all connected. I love you and I appreciate that you’re worried, but I have this.”

Even as I say the words and she squeezes my hand, I doubt them.

Do I have this? There are days when I want nothing more than to never have to think about my mom and cousins again.

Ivy nods and leans over, hugging me. “I know you do. But if you ever want to talk, I’m here.”

“You ladies look serious,” Reid says from the opposite end of the table. “Everything okay? Is this a sister thing?”

At least my temporary boyfriend understands. I sniffle. “Definitely a sister thing. We’re fine.”

“Good.” He gives me a brilliant smile. “Because we figured out how to save the ballroom.”

Now that is a plan I can listen to.

Confessionals

Reid

The electrical is done, so we’re hoping for smooth sailing from here on. The ballroom is going to be shared space for all three residences. An inner courtyard, so to speak. Harper and I have been working on how we’ll deal with access, but we think the garden should be a shared space as well, and the ballroom would be the back door for all three residences. She’s got some great ideas. I’m sorry. What did you ask? Oh. The team. I think we’re all working very well together. Certainly Jeremiah and I work well, but Harper turned out to be a great fit with us once we found our groove. There’s something special about Banover Place. It’s got both a historical feel, and it oddly seems like home. I can’t put my finger on it. I’ve never lived in a place like this. I’ve spent my entire life in a high-rise. I’ve designed hundreds of interiors, and not once did I get attached. I’m definitely getting attached to Banover.

Jeremiah

He said that? He said he was attached? He said that to the camera? Does Harper know?

Harper

Well, I’m attached to Banover Place, too. I don’t think it’s weird for him to say that. I think it’s rather lovely. It’s kind of a magical place. Now that I’m over the shock of splitting it into three residences, I’ve grown to kind of love the idea that a family gets to live here. They get the best of both worlds. I like my apartment, but I have to say I’ve started thinking about how small it is. I think it would be hard to have a family in. Not that I’m, like, planning a family or anything. It’s just…you know… Banover Place makes you think.

Reid

She said she’s thinking about a family? Seriously? Why am I smiling? I don’t know. I guess the weeks I’ve spent on this place have maybe made me start thinking about a family, too.

Jeremiah

I think I liked it better when they were yelling at each other. Has anyone mentioned where we’re putting the sippy cups? That seems to set them both off. Also, could someone explain to me what a sippy cup is?

Chapter Seventeen

“Good morning, sunshine.” Reid walks out of my bedroom looking ridiculously delicious in a pair of PJ pants and a T.

It’s the third straight night he’s spent with me, and we’re weirdly functional as a couple. Not that we are. We’re playing around. That’s what I keep telling myself.

Except we’re only days in and it doesn’t feel like play. It feels like comfort.

Don’t get me wrong. We have been screwing each other’s brains out, and I expected that. What I didn’t expect was sitting around and watching old movies with him while he works on his never-ending scarf. I knew he would be sexy. I didn’t think he would be so adorable sitting on my couch with knitting needles in his hands.

I’m fascinated with his hands. With the scars he took in the accident. With how he’s working so hard to regain his mobility.

I look up from the plans I’m working on. Redesigning a home to be three separate homes is a lot. The architect might be the one doing all the technical plans, but I have to figure out if it can actually be done. “Morning. There’s some coffee, and I made some toast and eggs.”

“You are a busy bee this morning.” He kisses the top of my head.

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