She snorted. “You did buy it right out from under my nose.”
“I know.” He tucked her hair behind her ear. “And I’m sorry for that.”
“I’m not. If you hadn’t bought it, we wouldn’t be here.”
They wouldn’t, and wouldn’t that be a shame. Rhett loved it here almost as much as he loved Elsie. The singular thing about this whole situation he was starting to tire from was keeping things a secret. It wasn’t that he wanted their business plastered across every media outlet in the country. But damn, he missed the days that he could take a beautiful woman to dinner and have it be nothing more than two people sharing a meal.
“First, call Susan back and tell her I’m in.”
“But she only wants to do it because of you. If it were anyone else’s house they’d pass.”
“You don’t know that. And so what if they did? They aren’t going to say yes unless they love your work. Which they clearly do.”
“But your privacy. Are you sure? Like really sure. Because remember rule two: Honesty.”
“Here’s honest then. I want you to come with me to Portland Live.”
Her mouth parted on a breath. “Is that safe? I mean, one photo and we’re outed.”
He took both her hands. “It doesn’t have to be more than friends, but this is important to me and I want you there. Even if I have to keep my hands off you.”
“No moon-eyes,” she teased, but he was pretty sure he couldn’t keep that promise, which broke her cardinal rule, so he said nothing. “Susan is walking the house on Friday to get ideas for the shoot.”
“I know.” He knew what he was asking of her, and it was more than a simple friend-supporting-friend question. He moved closer. “Even if it’s just for a few minutes, go with me.”
She thunked her forehead to his chest. “It breaks rule four.”
“I am aware, but I figure that we can overlook it for one night.”
Now that he’d said it, he was nervous. Nervous that she’d say no and nervous that she’d say yes, because either answer would determine the direction their relationship would take.
“Can I think about it?” she asked, worrying her lower lip.
“Just don’t think too long.”
Chapter Nineteen
Dating Tips from Elsie Dodd
Become the best version of yourself.
Elsie was dressed to impress. In her favorite blue blouse, a pair of smart-looking slacks, and lucky heels, she was ready to take her career to the next level. Besides the faint smell, no one would even know that she’d just slathered on the last coat of paint in the bathroom.
The house was finally finished, and it was gorgeous. Sharp and sophisticated and as beautiful as any home that had graced the cover ofModern Masterpiece, it was magazine worthy. She knew how her portfolio would look, just like she knew her career was about to take off. She’d no longer be the interior architect without a stunning portfolio.
More importantly, Rhett loved the end product. Unlike most modern designs, she’d chosen comfort at every step. So when he’d said that it felt like home, a wealth of pride welled up.
He liked the stark difference between the warm, deep walls, minimalist and fashionable aesthetic, and inviting furniture that made you want to take your shoes off and cuddle up. And cuddle they had. On the couch, one of the barrel chairs, each and every bed. They’d evencuddledin the shower twice that morning before he headed off to help his family set up for Portland Live.
Elsie felt as if her new life had finally fallen into place and she wanted to soak in every moment. She was one yes from making her longtime dream become reality. Didn’t mean that when a knock sounded, her didn’t heart thunder with nerves.
She was confident in her work, but behind that proud voice was a little whisper of doubt. A little whisper that started with her dad and echoed by Axel when they both treated her as if she wasn’t good enough. But she squashed that whisper and instead listened to the part of her that had taken a risk, worked tirelessly, and finally expelled all that doubt to make today a success.
Smoothing down her blouse, Elsie opened the door and, instead of a face, she was greeted by the largest bouquet in all the Pacific Northwest. Dogwood and peonies.
Her favorite.
A warm rush of something too special to label rolled through her.
