“What do I need five bedrooms for?” When I first saw the house, I thought about tearing the wall down and making the space work for me.
“I thought you were selling?” Nolan observed me.
“I am. This room is too small. People want a master suite these days. I can make the closet and bathroom larger too.”
Nolan looked around at the space. “It’s a good idea. Four bedrooms are still good for resale. I thought you said you were doing the master suite last.”
“I changed my mind.” I cleaned up the debris and shoved it into large garbage bags, hoping he wouldn’t ask why.
“How did things go last night after I left?” Nolan leaned against the door jamb and watched me.
My eyes narrowed on him. “Did you set things up last night, so I was alone with Hadley?”
Nolan shrugged. “It just worked out. I’d parked by Avery and Dylan.”
That was something I didn’t know about my brother because I’d been in my head for the last few years. What was he like when he dated a woman? Was he a one-night stand kind of guy or into relationships? I hadn’t heard of any serious girlfriends over the years, but I also hadn’t been paying attention. “Are you interested in Avery or Dylan?”
Nolan’s eyes shot to mine as they widened in surprise. “No. I’m not interested in anyone. I don’t want anything serious and those girls have serious written all over them.”
I tied off the bags. I’d need to keep a closer eye on Nolan. I didn’t want him to be wary of relationships because mine hadn’t worked out. “Want to help me carry these out?”
“That’s why I’m here.”
I tossed him a bag before walking down the steps ahead of him.
“What about you? You take a romantic walk with Hadley?” Nolan asked when we walked outside into the sunshine.
I paused a second before throwing the bag into the truck bed. Did I want to keep what happened between Hadley and me?
“I was joking, but did you?” Nolan raised his brow.
“We walked around the harbor and sat on a bench to watch the water. She had some family issues she wanted to talk about.”
“With you?” Nolan crossed his arms over his chest.
“Why are you so surprised?”
“It’s just the last few years you’ve been so—”
“Closed off?”
“Yeah and out of touch. Why would Hadley talk to you?”
That was a good question. “Maybe she was comfortable opening up to me?”
“I can’t believe you went out to a bar, ate dinner, and took a woman for a walk to have a heart-to-heart.”
He was right. It was a big step for me. “She’s a friend—or she might be. It felt good to help someone else.”
“I get that, but isn’t she your attorney?”
I had thought about that. I didn’t know if there were rules forbidding a relationship but getting involved with someone you had a professional relationship with wasn’t a good idea. “I’m attracted to her, but I don’t have to act on it. I’m not sure I’m ready for anything anyway.”
Nolan raised his brow. “Just being open to the idea of someone else is progress.”
I’d texted Hadley about class a while ago. I checked my phone and it was nine-thirty. “I need to get cleaned up and head over to the studio for class. You can continue what I started.”
“You know, if you’re serious about your contracting business and you want to expand, maybe it’s finally time we go into business together.” Nolan’s face was serious.
Hope filled me. “I think it’s time.”
Nolan smiled. “Good. Maybe you’ll come to family dinner on Sunday?”
“Maybe. Don’t tell the parents yet.” I wasn’t sure if I was ready.
“If not this weekend, soon.”
I nodded. It was time to fix the strained relationship with my parents. Listening to Hadley talk about her family last night made me realize how lucky I’d been. My parents loved me when I was too depressed to see them. When I pushed them away. They might want me to be happy sooner than I was ready for, but they loved me. They deserved better than how I’d treated them these last few years.
I washed up, putting on my uniform before driving from my home to the studio. My fingers tapped the wheel, my heart thudded in my chest, and I shifted in my seat. I couldn’t seem to sit still. I pulled in front of the studio. My eye caught the sign for the law firm sending blood rushing to my head. I was looking forward to seeing Hadley.
I opened the door to the studio to get things ready for class. A few minutes later, Hadley pushed the door open. She walked inside in her black uniform pants, the blue belt tied tightly around her black shirt. Her hair was swept up in a ponytail. A surge of happiness flowed through me.
“Am I early?” she asked as she scanned the room.
“Not really. Maybe everyone decided to enjoy the beautiful day and skip class this morning.” I wouldn’t be upset if that was the case. I’d told Nolan she was a friend. I wanted to help her, but there was no getting around the fact I was physically attracted to her. She was confident in her professional life yet appeared to be vulnerable when she talked about her family. It was a contrast that intrigued me on a personal level.
It wasn’t just physical. It should scare me. I didn’t have anything to offer her, but she hadn’t expressed any interest in anything either. Other than hanging out with me and helping me in a professional capacity. It was a harmless crush.
I might have been lying to myself, but it was what I needed to allow myself to see what would happen next. I’d take it one day at a time.
Stowing her things in the cubbies by the door, she caught my eye. When I nodded, she bowed. She padded across the mats and stopped in front of me. I wanted to pull her to me. I
