Page 126 of The Truth of Our Secrets

“That’s my favorite.” Jayce points to the piece Emmet made to hide the TV.

“I only trusted you.” I bop him on the nose. “The panels had to line up and slide and you understood the assignment.”

“It’s what we youngins do.” He puffs his chest out and stretches his arms over his head smugly.

“Is the couch to your satisfaction?” Jayce says with his lips quirked up, standing over us.

“Maybe. Come here so we can test it.” We nestle into the corner, but I’m not a fan of all the space on either side of us. I switch the middle section and the arm on the end so that when we sit, it’s the size of our love seat only with one side to stretch our legs. “Fixed it.”

“Now the couch is off balance. What will people say?” Jayce teases.

“We can move it back if we entertain, but I like how the sides squish us together. It’s cozier.”

“Speaking of getting cozy, let’s test out our bedroom.” Emmet waggles his eyebrows.

“We’re doing it in every room, so take your pick.” Jayce removes our shoes and places them in the closet by the entrance.

“I kinda did a thing.” Reaching to twirl my hair, I stop so I don’t give away my nerves. “It’s sorta a surprise.”

Emmet’s warm brown eyes are the color of whiskey today. Bright and happy. I refuse to dampen that.

“I changed the décor of the guest bedroom.”

“Is it a sex room?” Emmet bounds ahead.

“No, Emmet, wait.” I’m frozen in place, so Jayce throws me over his shoulder and rounds the wall to the guest bedroom door.

Emmet’s standing rigid in the room, and Jayce sets me on my feet.

“Is this…” His eyes hold questions.

“Your mom does so much better when we’re with her. We can’t predict how she’ll do coming here, but we can bring her for a visit and see what she thinks. It’s all the things she loves.”

Tracy Asher loves doilies, so there’s a white eyelet bedspread and doilies cover the oak dresser and nightstand. The walls are ocean blue because she cuts out pictures of beaches and tapes them around the trailer. A watercolor beach scene adorns the largest wall along with smaller seashells and ocean pictures.

“Would you want her to live here?” The hand on his throat accentuates his hammering pulse.

I turn to Jayce with wide eyes. I thought she might stay here a few nights a week, but living here would make more sense. It’s not a decision to make without a family meeting.

“Of course,” Jayce says easily. “Let’s see how she reacts to the room and take it from there.”

Emmet drums his fingers on his thigh. “It’s too much.”

“It’s exactly right.” Jayce claps him on the shoulder. “Let’s see the other rooms.”

“The bathroom is a wetroom. So it’s easy for someone who needs safety precautions or even kids.” My face gets hot. We haven’t decided about children, but I’m not renovating in the future.

Emmet cleaves me to him and whispers, “Thank you.”

My throat clogs and I can’t respond with words. My hug says it all for me.

I’m excited for them to see the primary bedroom.

“I have news, or a surprise, I’m not sure what to call it, but I’d like to tell you before we rip our clothes off in the bedroom.” Jayce tugs us back toward the couch.

Emmet makes a face and checks his phone. “Make it snappy, J-Bear.”

“Be a good boy, and I’ll tie you to the headboard.” He points at his tie wrapped around Emmet’s wrist like a bracelet.

---