“I get to design this?”
“Blank slate. You can put your stamp on every inch. Energy efficiency, environmental friendliness, all that you love.”
It’s been years since I created a design on my own. A spark of excitement starts low in my stomach, and I mentally calculate dimensions based on the angles. An explosion of ideas fills my mind.
“I want our bedroom to face the park.” I make the decision easily.
“I figured you would.”
“I’d like to replicate the kitchen you designed in Connecticut.”
“You want rustic?”
“Not exactly, we’ll modernize and weave in our own touches, but I want the same layout.”
“Anything you wish.”
I focus on Jarod. “You’re going to build this?”
“As soon as you give me the go-ahead, my crew is ready.”
“And you’re aware my architect is a pain in the ass?”
He smiles brightly, his eyes lighting with amusement. “I’ve dealt with him for over thirty years.”
“You are officially my favorite ‘Hall’ man in the room.”
“What did I do?” Clay pipes up, crinkling his eyebrows.
“I assume you’re the money man behind this?” I shoot him a pointed glare. He opens and closes his mouth a few times then shrugs.
There’s a knock at the door, and Janice pops her head in, her eyes coming directly to me. “Is it safe to come in?”
I love Janice. The first time Lawson brought me to the offices, she embraced me with such kindness I felt like I’d known her forever. She’s become a daily part of my life since then, and some days, I get more text messages from her than I do Lawson.
She’s also a great resource to chat with about the changes I’m experiencing with my body, seeing as she’s had three children and multiple grandchildren. Being without my mom or any close friends that have experienced pregnancy, she guides me through any questions.
A few weeks ago, I invited her to my office for lunch. I had intended for it to be an extravagant afternoon. Lawson arranged for food to be delivered, and Haley and I to surprise her with a full makeover. It started out lighthearted, but somewhere during the day, the conversation shifted and I learned more about the time when Lawson and I were apart. She admitted how terrified she was Lawson was going to walk away from his family legacy and spiral down a dark hole. To my shock, Haley expressed the same concerns regarding my existence during that time. There were tons of tears, mostly mine, until Janice guided us back to safer subjects.
I never told Lawson about the conversation; it wouldn’t do any good. But, since then, Janice and I formed a bond that I’ve come to cherish. Not to mention she’s the only other woman in Lawson’s life, which means she undoubtedly knew about his purchase and plans.
“Were you aware of this?”
Her sly smile is my only confirmation as she pushes the door open. She’s not alone. Grandpa Clive, Uncle Rob, Jenny, Bessie, Jonas, and Enrique stroll in followed by two delivery guys carrying trays of food.
My jaw drops as the group erupts in greetings, hugs, and multiple conversations at once.
“What’s happening here?” I say mostly to myself since no one can hear me.
Lawson, never caring about public affection, turns me to him, wraps his arms around my waist, and places his mouth to my ear. “I thought it was time our friends and family meet and get together.”
“And you chose today?”
“What better day to celebrate?”
“You thought to invite the Nerd Herd?”
“I have a lot of burned bridges to rebuild. It’s past time I start to do that.”