Page 67 of How to Love Your Neighbor
Chris slid his hand down Everly’s arm, connecting their fingers. The quiet smile she gave Chris created an inexplicable pressure in Noah’s chest.
“You’re sweet to worry but I’m okay,” Everly said.
“I did tell you I was the exceptional one. I don’t want to fall short,” Noah said.
Chris rolled his eyes. “Not sure that’s the word I’d use.”
“Well, big words are hard for you,” Noah said.
Chris’s bark of laughter put him at ease. “You should maybe save the trash talk for after we do whatever it is you’ve gotten us into.”
“Fair enough.”
They were arguing over who would sit or stand. The couch would arrive in the next few days.
“Are you joining us or not, Jansen?” Grace called.
“Have I mentioned I really like her?” Chris said.
Noah frowned. “You love Everly.”
Shaking his head like Noah was an idiot—which, he could admit, sometimes he was—Chris clapped him on the back. “I’ll speak slower. Yes, I do love Everly. She’s mine. I like Gracefor you.And in general.”
“She’s waiting for us,” Everly said softly, her lips twitching.
They joined the rest of the group just as Stacey and Rob let themselves in.
“Did we miss anything? Hey, Noah. Wicked place,” Stacey called out, stretching her hand up to wave. Rob jutted his chin in Noah’s direction.
Waving, Noah joined Grace by the fireplace. She’d pulled two clipboards from somewhere.
He leaned down, caught the scent of something sweet, like strawberries. “What are we doing, Gracie?”
Tilting her head toward him, which brought their faces closer, she whispered, “You’ll see. You wanted normal. That means rolling up your sleeves, letting the people who love you pitch in. With a twist.”
That weird feeling invaded his chest again. She was unlike anyone he’d ever met. “I hope I don’t regret this.”
“That’s what she said.” She bumped his hip and slapped her hand a couple of times on a clipboard, commanding attention easily. “If you guys can spread out a little, I’ll introduce everyone quickly. I’m Grace. I’m Noah’s interior designer and you’ll have to excuse me for how big I’m smiling because that’s the first time I’ve been able to use those words for real. I also live next door.” Their friends and family laughed while stepping back. They created a loose definition of a circle.
“I won’t make us play any icebreaker games or anything like that, I promise,” Grace said.
“Thank you. We get enough of that in school,” Rosie said.
“That there is my bestie, Rosie. Beside her is Noah’s assistant, Josh.” Both Josh and Rosie waved. Grace pointed to Morty. “That’s Morty, his fiancée, Tilly, their friend John, who is Shane’s dad.”
“Noah, you introduce your team.” Grace nudged him with her shoulder.
Team? Interesting. “Sure. I’m Noah. Nice to meet all of you. Right there is my brother, Chris, his girlfriend, Everly. Everly’s bestie, Stacey, who some of you might recognize as the voice of 96.2 SUN radio. That’s her guy and a friend of mine and my brothers’, Rob.”
“Okay. I’m sure everyone wonders what we’re all doing here so I’ll get right to it,” Grace said. She looked so excited, a little zip of energy flared through Noah.
Grace passed one of the clipboards to Morty and one to John. “Hopefully, you guys have seen the showTrading Spaces.This is going to be a little like that with the addition of a good old-fashioned painting party. Noah and I both need some work done in our homes. He wanted to know how people do this without hiring a band of merry men who cost a fortune.”
The back of Noah’s neck heated. That wasn’t exactly it.
“Investments falling flat, man?” Chris’s voice was thick with humor.
“As if.”
