Page 68 of How to Love Your Neighbor
Grace took command again, bringing Noah’s attention back to her. Not that it was ever far away. “In the short time since Noah and I have become friends, I’ve learned that he likes a challenge and a bet almost as much as I do. We’re going to break into teams. Each team has to transform one room in the other person’s house. Everything is set up and ready. We have three hours. Morty is on our team, so he’ll stay here, watch to make sure there’re no violations, and vice versa for John, who will hang with us. They’ll be our judges. When I moved into my place, I treated my helpers to pizza and beer, which ispretty standard. So, Noah will do that as well. It’ll arrive after the reveal.”
“At least I’m generous.” Noah was trying to absorb all of the information.
The group laughed at his surprise.
“That you are.” She winked at him and, this time, lust fired through him. What the hell had he gotten himself into?
Just like that, she split everyone into two groups. His team was Chris, Everly, Rob, and Stacey. Her team had Rosie, Josh, Tilly, and Shane. They were all talking when Noah put a hand up.
Grace bit her lip. Noah wanted to do the same, but for now he’d keep his head in the game.
“You don’t have to raise your hand, Noah. We’re not in school.” Grace’s gaze sparkled with amusement.
“He never raised his hand in school,” Chris offered.
Noah ignored his brother. “The groups aren’t fair.”
“I knew you were going to say that,” Grace said, a sly smile on her lips.
“Why aren’t they fair?” Stacey looked around like she was trying to figure out the advantage.
“There are two design people and Shane owns a construction company.”
Grace nodded. “True, but since you and I are doing a side bet, I can’t be on your team. You take Rosie and Josh. Stacey and Rob can switch to my team.”
“What am I supposed to do for three hours? Think I got nothing better to do than hang out with a bunch of kids?” Morty’s voice was gruff but held no rancor.
“We’re adults. Also, I’ve met you, so, no, I didn’t expect you to just sit around. You’re like the foremen. You’ll need to check the clipboard every so often and make sure we’re following the rules. There’s also a television in each house if you’re not needed. You’ll live, and get beer and pizza as a reward.”
“That’s fair,” John said, looking at his friend.
“Fine. Which rooms and what’s the side bet?” Noah was pumped to get started. He’d enjoyed being more involved—he liked working with his hands more than he’d expected. But some of the home-reno jobs were tedious. Grace managed to spice up even the littlest things.
“Your team is doing my office. I’ve ordered furniture from Ikea. We’ll be taking on one of the upstairs guest rooms.”
“What’s the side bet?” Stacey looked back and forth between them, rubbing her hands together.
“The side bet is, if we win, I get to do a surprise room for you.” Grace’s smile reached all the way up to her pretty brown eyes.
“What do I get?”
“Besides more of your house decorated?” Chris asked.
“That’s her job. Which she loves.” He knew her well enough to know there was a reason she’d added this caveat. He kept his gaze locked on Grace.
“Whatever you want.”
An actual hush fell over the group. Gracie’s cheeks went a sweet shade of pink. “Within reason.”
Noah spread his arms wide. “I’m nothing if not reasonable.”
This brought laughter from his brother and Everly, as well as from Stacey and Rob.
“Anything else before we get started?” Noah asked.
“One thing,” Grace said. “Josh contacted the magazine to approve all this. They have a photographer coming by in an hour to get some candid shots. Only Noah and I will be in them if they include anything other than the space and changes.”
Grace walked up to him, tipped her head back. “You in?”
