Page 46 of Trouble from Abroad
That earns me her laughter. It’s loud and genuine. It hits me square in the chest.
“Sorry,” she says, still grinning. “But maybe… now's the time to do it properly. A full reset.”
I can admit defeat. It’s obvious I’m in way over my head.
“Not the worst idea,” is what the caveman in me says instead.
“Callie called in a favor with her interior designer. She has time to come by this week if you’re interested.” Mia taps a key that opens the lady’s website and shows me her portfolio. “Say the word, and I’ll send her the pictures and measurements of your bathroom today.”
I watch Mia’s face as she speaks, lit up with purpose. I don’t think this is just about making the house nicer. It’s about making it livable. Making it new and mine.
I lean my waist back against the counter, arms crossed, the buzz of the green tea and endorphins mellowing into something softer.
“Go ahead, and send me her number,” I say. “Thank you. For all of this.”
“You’re welcome,” she replies. “There’s more, though.”
Of course there is.
“You ready?” Her shoulder lifts, tentative.
I look at Mia for a long moment. She sees the cracks I’ve ignored and wants to mend them. For me. For Lily. So I might not be exactly ready, but I’m listening.
I nod slowly, less afraid than I should be. “Hit me.”
“I want to send the interior designer the floor plan of your bedroom too. If you’reokay with that.”
It should feel intrusive. But all I feel is seen.
“I am.”
“Okay. Truth is we already talked after I hung up with Callie—you take really long showers—and she said she needs references of furniture and overall styles you like.” Mia braces for impact, but since I remain silent, she carries on, “If you send some over this afternoon, she can come tomorrow with sketches.”
“So everyone you work with moves at your pace?”
“Not always. But I make sure my clients are top priority.”
Clients. Right. There's my reality check. I’m just another project.
“Thank you. You’re right. That’s a good idea.” She rolls her lips, clearly containing a massive victory grin. “You always get goosebumps when a man admits he’s wrong?” I ask.
She fucking beams at me. “Every single time.”
I nudge her playfully.
“I like seeing you smile,” Mia says, voice soft.
“Didn’t do it much before you moved in. So, thanks for that too, Trouble.”
She gasps. “You didnotruin the sweetest compliment ever by calling me Trouble.”
“Trouble is a compliment. Trust me.”
I don’t explain it. Don’t think I ever will.
“Okay, one more thing before you start your dream-room board.”
Dream-room board. I chuckle at how her brain works. “What?”
