Page 56 of Built to Last

We’ve spent the last month making huge changes to Banover Place. There are now three kitchens and three primary bedrooms and three great rooms. Each residence has four bedrooms, and the good news is none of them have bad wiring now.

I glance up from the crown molding I’ve been working on all afternoon. I want to make sure I don’t damage the original wood. “Oh, I think we should put Jer out of his misery and spend the night at your place. Your brother is needy. He fell asleep on the couch last night. I thought he was going out.”

Reid looks superhot in his perfectly tailored suit. It appears he’s spent some time in front of the camera. “He was supposed to meet this new guy Anika set him up with. He called it off at the last minute. I swear I’ve never seen him so hung up on a guy before. It’s not like Jer’s a player or anything, but he tends to take his shot and move on if it doesn’t work. He’s hung up on Patrick.”

“I don’t get it,” I admit. “Not the being hung up on Patrick bit. I don’t get why Pat won’t give him a shot. They’re adorable together. They get along great on set, and it’s not because Pat’s hiding something. He thinks Jeremiah is. It’s weird.”

Reid moves into the room and holds a hand out to help me up. “So my place it is then. Do you need to pick up fresh clothes or did you stash some last week? I found a pretty pair of undies sliding around with my boxers the other day.”

I am so crazy about this man. I tilt my head to look at him, giving him wide eyes. “Why, Mr. Dorsey, do you have some floozy you’re hanging around with?”

He grins and moves in closer. “Nope. Just one gorgeous contractor who is awfully good at stretching the truth about timelines.” He kisses my nose, a sweet gesture. “You do not need a full week on that second-floor bathroom in residence three.”

Okay, I probably don’t, but we all stretch timelines. It’s nearly inevitable that something will go wonky, and then we’re on time. If everything is smooth sailing, then we look like superheroes. “I stand by my timeline. Also, the soaker tub isn’t here yet, so I can’t even start. I think you should rethink the flooring in the primary.”

He looks down at the parquet floors. “I would think you would love these floors.”

I kind of thought that was why he was keeping them. “They aren’t original. These babies were put in no earlier than ten years ago, and they were done pretty cheaply. The original stops at the doorway. I pulled a little up and I see some evidence of water damage. I think the foundation fixed the problem as cheaply as they could. So you can happily put some plush carpet in.”

He sighs and stares down at me, his hand coming up to caress the line of my jaw. “Because I like something warm on my toes in the morning. But it’s not ours.”

I like the way he’s started to use the term ours. This project feels like ours. “I think we should design it like it is. I was told this unit is for the oldest daughter. She and her husband have an appreciation for the finer things. They’re both interested in architecture and history. They sound lovely. So let’s surprise them with a stunning-looking home that’s also functional and comforting. I like the carpet at your place.”

“Huh. I kind of thought you didn’t like my place.” His hands smooth over my hair.

“I guess I don’t feel like I belong there. It’s gorgeous. Don’t get me wrong. It’s stunning, but it doesn’t feel like a home. I’m always worried I’ll break something.”

“Then you wouldn’t mind if I maybe moved,” he offers.

Oh, I’m not sure I like the sound of that. “Depends on where you’re moving.”

He stares at me for a second like he’s trying to figure out what he really wants to say. “I want to talk to you about something, but there’s part of the story that isn’t mine to tell.”

“Okay. Does it involve you moving to, say, LA?” There’s another possibility. “You got a new show and you’re moving to Toronto.” I’ve learned a lot of the home and garden TV world is centered around Canada.

I know I said I was going with the flow, but it turns out I like the flow. I don’t want the flow to end when we finish this thing up in a couple of weeks.

“I’m not leaving New York,” he says. “I’m going to maybe downsize.”

I breathe a sigh of relief. “That’s good. Downsizing can be refreshing.” Something about the way he says it makes me think it might not be his choice. “It’s a lot of condo for two of you.”

He nods. “And a lot of bad memories that turns out can’t be glossed over with new paint and furniture. Maybe you can help us find a new place. Anything up for sale in your building?”

“My building is a dump,” I point out. “But Lydia’s is more your style, and I happen to know there are two units up for sale there. I know because I was kind of thinking about looking at the smaller of the two. I probably can’t afford it, but I thought I’d look.”

“Then we can look together,” he says and kisses me again. “But tonight we’ll go to my place. I’ll call and let Aggie know we’re coming. I think she said she wanted to make meatloaf sometime this week. She thought we could use some comfort food.”

“Sounds delicious.” I’m all about someone feeding me. “Let me finish up here and we can head out.”

“Not staying late?” Patrick stands in the doorway, a clipboard in his hand. “Sorry to interrupt. I need to check on the camera in the corner. It needs a battery refresh.”

It’s so easy to forget about the cameras. I take a step back. Reid frowns but moves to my side.

“We were about to head out,” Reid responds, “Unless you need us for something. I finished my to-cameras with Tony. We’re shooting at the design studio tomorrow.”

Patrick nods and reaches up to pull the small camera in the upper corner of the room. “Nope. We have everything we need. And don’t worry about the cams, Harper. Anika is taking care of you in the editing room. I sat in with her last week, and if you don’t know the two of you are hooking up like crazy pants, you look like congenial coworkers. It’s all bland, if you ask me.”

“Bland?” I don’t like the word. I think Reid and I are anything but bland.

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