Page 91 of The Reno
Collect paint samples & fabrics
Call Mum back
Donotget attached
“Twenty-two thousand pounds?” I choked, coughing.
My eyes shifted to the designs on the screen of EH Kitchen and Bathrooms. Liam’s hand came up and gently patted my back. The shop was brightly lit, the light bouncing off the white quartz countertops they had on display. At the desk, Andrea, the designer, thrummed her pink acrylic nails against her desk as she bit her lip. We had spent the past hour designing the new bathroom and kitchen at Liam’s favourite shop, EH Bathrooms & Kitchens.
“It’s owned by a local couple, Andrea and Ron,” he explained on the journey while his large hand rested on my thigh. “They are the only place I go for fittings ’cos I know they’ll be the best.”
I’d walked in, excited about the show bathroom on display with a huge roll-top bath. Liam was welcomed like a hero returning from war. Hugs and slaps on the back. I shrunk back a little. It was yet another place where everyone knew everyone. It was like overhearing people speak another language.
“I know, it’s dear,” Andrea said, glancing up from the screen, “the fixtures you picked are top of the range, you see.”
My eyes flicked to Liam. He rubbed his hands across his jaw. The long stubble was turning into a beard, and it annoyingly suited him more. It seemed to bring out his brown eyes. I was worried he wasn’t shaving because he seemed to spend every hour at my house these days. We’d had a burst pipe, which caused a leak in the bathroom. Then, the next week, he found rotten floorboards that needed replacing in the kitchen, too. Yet, none of it fazed him.
I’d been the one to panic. But he told me in reassuring tones and soft caresses that it was fine. He repeated that they were minor hiccups and they were still running to the timetable.
Liam frowned at me, quizzical.
What?
I just shook my head.
Nothing.
God, the navy T-shirt he was wearing today made him seem so… fuckable. It made his arms look delicious. After our public rendezvous at the house, I had managed to sneak out withoutseeing Danny’s amused face and with my dignity intact—barely. In an act of revenge, I teased Liam on the way home, palming him while I whispered exactly what I would do to him once I got my hands on him. He turned to me, his eyes blazing. “Wanna put your money where your mouth is?” His eyes flickered down to my lips. I grinned and checked my wrist. “I believe you are late for the Joneses.”
He swore filthily, sporting a huge erection, and pulled off the drive while I giggled my way into the house for a nap.
Since then, we hadn’t spent any time alone. Abigail had the flu, so I volunteered to stay home with her when Liam was forced to firefight some problems with the Joneses’ extension. Liam had wanted to stay with her, and I could see it was eating him up. He asked if I was sure about fifty times. Once I convinced him, he made Abigail’s favourite chicken soup, and I finally shoved him out the door. Abi and I played Animal Crossing all morning. Then, I drafted the rebrand for HBC while Abi slept, her cheeks pink with fever.
When Liam returned, smelling of sweat and rain, Abigail announced she had had a great day and wanted to stay with us for the rest of the week. As much as I wanted some alone time with Liam, I couldn’t help but bask in the glory of her words. It was fucking hard to get a pre-teen to like you. They had a discerning taste, but I had passed the test. Plus, it was nice having her around. Liam was playful and light when she was around. It was like Abigail lifted his mood like no one else could—not even me. Abigail got away with murder. Liam let her paint his nails. I finally got to braid his hair, making Abigail snort Coke out ofher nose at the sight.
“I could see if we could bring down the price, maybe,” Andrea replied, her eyes scanning the 3D renderings of the designs.
I felt stupid. I proudly showed Andrea my plans, gushing over the dark blue cabinet doors, the herringbone tiles, and the fluted glass cabinets, even though I knew the latter might not be the most practical choice. The finger smudges would be a bitch. My eyes lit up when Andrea mentioned a wine fridge, and I couldn’t help but hurl a yes and immediately ask where we could fit it. Liam sat beside me, his lips twitching at my excitement.
For the bathroom, I picked a big roll-top bath with simple white tiles on the floor but accented with a half wall of green tiles on the walls. Liam and I argued over the old mid-century dresser I wanted to source and turn into a double sink with a round mirror and wall lights on either side.
Liam shook his head. “The vanity unit will be a nightmare.”
“What do you mean?” I recoiled.
“The wood. It’s not good in bathrooms. It warps easily and gets watermarks. It’s not practical.”
“But it’s beautiful. And I can repurpose an old dresser. It will probably be cheaper.”
