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Burke kept his eyes on that blue wallpaper. “Okay.”
I looked at him questioningly. “Okay?”
“We’re doing it.” His eyes locked on me, and what I saw there had my throat going dry. “Tell me what she wanted, and we’ll make it happen.”
“What?” I whispered.
“All of it. Moving the kitchen, the wallpaper, the furniture. Whatever it is, I want to know.”
Oh.Oh.
His face was stern.
Decisive.
Harsh and beautiful.
Instantly, I felt sorry for anyone who tried to tell him he couldn’t do the things he wanted in order to honor his friends.
It did strange, terrifying, exhilarating things inside me. Because it was the moment right before the free fall—the headlong pitch where the speed picked up, the breath caught in your lungs, and your heart started racing.
There was no way I couldn’t ask, even though I wasn’t entirely sure I was ready to hear the answer.
I exhaled a shaky laugh. “What happened while you were gone?”
Burke slowly pushed the wallpaper book back in my direction. It was a long moment before he answered.
“I had a good reminder a couple of days ago,” he said. “One I should’ve been able to give myself.”
It was cryptic, but he’d answered. And I had to remind myself how far we’d come in a few short weeks.
“Well, whatever that reminder was, I hope it’s got you excited to empty out furniture and not mess up my spreadsheet.”
He studied my face, conceding with a nod and an amused spark in his eyes. “I wouldn’t dare.”
The amusement was a good look on him. Devastating, actually. My face felt warm when I stood and returned the book to my bedroom.
He was still at the table when I walked back into the kitchen. “Ready to get to work?” I asked.
“You’re the boss,” he said. “Show me where you need me.”
I gave him a disbelieving look, and he chuckled lightly under his breath. The roller coaster was off, and I could practically feel the wind rushing at my face as he and I walked over to the house to start on the first room.
It was a good thing I knew better than to feel anything real for Burke Barrett.
That for years I’d honed the skill of keeping my heart safe.
That I’d never develop genuine feelings for someone who already had one foot out the door.
It was a good thing I was smarter than all that.
Chapter Twelve
BURKE
As it turned out, moving a kitchen wasn’t quite as simple as an impassioned “let’s do it” speech.
“I can’t talk about it anymore, Charlotte.”
