Not So Easy (The NOT Series Book 4)

Chapter 4

The signon the brick building read Steel City Print Design. Once I stepped inside, it took several seconds for my eyes to adjust from the bright sun outside to the dim interior. Still a bit blinded, I heard a voice call my name but struggled to see who it was.

Then the person drew closer and my vision cleared. “Sheilah Watts? Is that you?”

Sheilah grew up on Bammy’s street, but I hadn’t seen her since maybe a year after high school. Last I heard she’d gone to design school, but I’d assumed that meant fashion design.

“It is,” she said, tossing long braids over her shoulder. “Donna Bradford? What brings you in here?”

“I do,” said Calvin, entering the showroom. “You’re on time,” he said with a wink. “I appreciate that.” Why would I not be on time? “Sheilah, those plans I sent you yesterday are for Donna’s grandmother’s old place. We’re flipping it.”

The “we” part hit me wrong. I was flipping the house. He was the hired hand.

“Really?” Sheilah said. “Good for you. That’ll make a great income property.”

This again.

“It won’t be an income property,” I explained. “I’m going to live there.”

Confusion in her eyes, she looked from me to Calvin and back. “You’re going to live in the neighborhood?”

“Yes.”

Not one to explain myself, I left it at that. She again looked to Calvin as if he would explain the mystery. There was no mystery, but he clearly wasn’t the only person who’d made incorrect assumptions about me.

After an awkward silence, Calvin said, “Can we look at the prints?”

“Oh, yeah.” She snapped into motion. “They’re laid out over here.”

We followed her to a large table off to the left. She unrolled the blueprints, then used paper weights to hold down each corner. “It’s rare to get originals like this. At least for homes in our area.”

I’d sent a request to the city for the original plans and gotten nowhere. “How did you get these?”

He leaned over the large paper. “I have plans for nearly every house within our four block area. You never know when one will go up for sale and I like to be ready.”

Well, wasn’t he Mr. Prepared.

Leaning next to him, I noticed how good he smelled. Like what I imagined the ocean must smell like. Salty and fresh and soothing. Stopping myself from taking a deeper breath, I asked, “Does this have the full lot?”

“It does.” Making a box with his finger, he said, “This is where we’ll put the addition. If you don’t care about having a garage, we can take the detached one out to still leave you some yard.”

No longer having to scrape snow off my car took priority over a yard. “I’d rather keep the garage, but we can take it down from a two-car space to a one-car.” Pointing to the half of the garage next to the single parking spot, I said, “I only want enough space to have a nice fire pit area here.”

He nodded. “That’s doable.” To Sheilah he said, “Do you have the reworked ones ready?”

Reworked ones? Wasn’t reworking them the point of this meeting?

“Sure.” She unrolled more documents and placed them on top of the originals, using the same weights to hold the corners. “First floor is on top and the second floor is on the bottom.”

There on the table was Bammy’s house, only better. Almost a direct reflection of the version I saw in my head. The larger kitchen with the wall gone between it and the living room. The powder room squeezed in below the stairs, and even a deck added behind the addition.

Part of me was amazed that he’d gotten so many details right, while another was annoyed that he’d taken it upon himself to make the changes. Looking closer, I didn’t like where he’d put the back door off the kitchen. I also didn’t like that he’d extended the opening between the foyer and the living room.

Who asked for that?

“I thought this is why we were meeting today. For me to tell you what the house should look like. Why are there new plans with changes already?”

Calvin looked back over his shoulder. “This is the preliminary drawing based on what we talked about and a few ideas I had. Don’t worry.” He chuckled. “You still get the final say.”

Good of him to remember that.

“First off, I don’t want the foyer entrance into the living room changed at all.” Reaching past him, I pointed to the back door. “And this needs to move. I want stairs that bypass the kitchen going straight up to the studio on the second floor, so there should be a door from the kitchen into the base of the stairwell on this corner over here.”

“A studio?” he said.

“Yeah, that’s where I’ll do my engagement photos and portrait shoots.”

Calvin rubbed his chin. “That changes things a bit.”

His tone was not encouraging. “Changes them how?”

“Operating a business out of the house means getting different permits. I’m not sure that’s possible in this residential area.”

I had to have the studio. The renovations were going to take nearly all of my savings. After months of analyzing the budget from every angle, I’d figured out how I could survive, but there was no room for the added expense of an off-site studio.

“The studio is non-negotiable. I have to have it.”

Calvin held up his hands. “I’m not saying you can’t have it, but the zoning laws might. I need to check it out to see if it’s possible.”

Panic inched up my neck. Throughout my childhood, different neighbors had run businesses out of the homes on Bammy’s street. Mrs. Grooms sold cakes and pies out of her kitchen. Mrs. Carter had done tailoring and alterations, and even had three girls who worked for her with multiple machines set up in her den.

Had things changed so much in twenty years?

“It’s not as if I’ll be storing heavy equipment or making noise that could disturb the neighbors. I’m just taking pictures.”

“That means bringing in clients,” Calvin said, “which means additional traffic and cars parking on the street. Parking is a premium in this area, and residents don’t want to have to compete with someone coming to get their picture taken for a spot in front of their own house.”

He made it sound like I’d have a hundred people at once. “We’re talking about maybe one car a few times a week, if that. I can leave the parking pad in the back for clients, then they won’t be parking on the street at all.”

“I’m not trying to argue with you,” he said. “I’m just telling you how the zoning works, and why the rules are what they are. If we run into an issue, you’ll have to take it up with the zoning board, but I can tell you, exceptions are rare.”

Walter’s words played back in my head. It’ll be a miracle if you get the permits needed. I should have asked why he said that.

Panic would get me nowhere so I took a deep breath and tried to be positive. These were all maybes. A renovation project was always going to come with challenges. I hadn’t planned on the challenge possibly hindering my business—and my ability to pay the mortgage—but it wasn’t as if I could turn back now.

Bammy’s house was mine, and it was my job to bring it back to life. Whether that life would include a studio or not was a bridge I would cross on another day.

“Fine,” I said with a nod. “The studio will remain a maybe, but the addition is a must either way. Let’s move forward with the plans and deal with what exactly will go in the space above the kitchen at a later time.”

The next ten minutes were spent discussing the first floor. Adding a few outlets. Expanding the size of the front window. Repairs to the fireplace and what materials I wanted. Bammy had once talked about how she hadn’t wanted the red brick around the fire box, but Pops had insisted. That was enough for me to remove that brick without an ounce of regret.

The kitchen could have been a little more contentious, but in the end, Calvin’s vision—though not what I’d originally imagined—made the room more functional with a clear flow. Torn between white cabinets and painted cabinets, we decided to leave that decision for another time as well. Determining the placement was enough for today.

Then we reached the second floor. That’s where things got more heated.

“I have to have an ensuite on my bedroom.”

“There’s no pipes established in that area of the house.”

“Then establish them.”

“I’m a contractor, not a magician.”

“What about over here?” Sheilah said, flipping the paper back to the first floor. “You’re putting pipes here for the new powder room. Why not run them up the wall and take part of this bedroom for the new bath?”

Her suggestion put the bath on the opposite side from where I’d envisioned, but it also offered another opportunity I hadn’t dared to dream of.

“Then we can use the other half of that bedroom for a walk-in closet.” Hope alive once more, I grinned at the drawings, picturing my beautiful new closet with floor-to-ceiling shelves for my shoes and a special nook for purses. “It’s perfect.”

Reluctant to admit defeat, Calvin said, “You’re willing to give up that bedroom? That’ll leave you the small one across the hall for guests.”

Everyone I knew lived here in town, so it wasn’t as if I’d have company coming to stay.

“I’m fine with it.”

He didn’t look happy but he agreed to the change. Point for the kitchen to him. Point for the bathroom to me.

“Then we can do a walk-in shower for you and leave the tub in the hall bath.”

Baths were not my thing, but there were times when a tub came in handy so I didn’t argue.

By the end of the hour, Sheilah had a pad full of notes, and I was beyond pleased with the design. The hardest part would be waiting until it was finished and I could move in.

14 weeks wasn’t a long time, but in this case felt like forever.

As we left the building, I said, “I can’t believe I’ll be in Bammy’s house before Labor Day. You have no idea how much I’m looking forward to this.”

“Labor Day?” Calvin said, stopping in place. “You need to aim more for Thanksgiving.”

As soon as Calvin had agreed to do the job, I’d given notice on my loft. In four months I had to be out.

“Thanksgiving is too late,” I said. “The renovation needs to be done by the end of August.”

Running a hand over his face, he mumbled for a full twenty seconds before locking me with an incredulous stare. “It’ll take at least three weeks for the permits alone. We can’t break ground until those are in place. This is a neglected fifty-year-old house, bound to have issues we don’t even know about yet. Finishing by the end of August is not going to happen.”

“But everyone I talked to said the work would take four months.” What the heck?

“The work, yes. But that’s once we have the permits and the materials in place.”

Crap. Why hadn’t I double-checked before giving notice?

Leaning my butt against my car, I asked, “How much can you get done before Labor Day?”

His full lips pressed into a straight line. “Hard to tell until I start ordering supplies and get delivery dates.”

There had to be a compromise. Even if the house wasn’t finished, I could still live in it. They’d just have to work around me. I could be flexible, and even be absent when necessary.

“Start with the hall bath upstairs. If that’s done, then I can move in and deal with the rest of the construction.”

“Move in?” he repeated. The muscle in his jaw twitched. “You want to live in the house while we renovate it?”

I didn’t want to, but I didn’t have a choice.

“Lots of people do it, right?”

Calvin shook his head. “Not to this extent, and not in any job I’ve ever done.”

Then this would be the proverbial first time for everything situation.

“I have to move into the house by the end of August. A working bathroom is all I’m asking for. I promise I’ll stay out of the way until the job is done.” Offering my brightest, and hopefully, most persuasive smile, I added, “You won’t even know I’m there.”

His snort was louder than necessary. “That’s literally impossible.” Conceding, he said, “It’s your house. If you want to live in drywall dust and constant noise, that’s your prerogative.”

“Then you can have the bathroom done in time?”

“Can you meet me tomorrow to pick out the tile and vanity?”

I had three appointments and a rehearsal dinner to shoot. “I can give you an hour at noon.”

“Fine.” He pulled a wallet from his back pocket and passed me a card. “Meet me at this address at noon and be ready to make decisions. Final decisions.”

Not a problem. “I’ll be there.”

“I can’t decide,”I muttered for the fourth time. Possibly the fifth.

The tiles were all so pretty. Did I want solid white, or maybe go with black? I could choose black and white, but then there was that cream with the pretty blue swirl. Or the dusty rose swirl. No, that would be too feminine. Should they be installed vertical or horizontal? That affected the quantity so I had to know.

Why was this so hard?

Tina—the showroom designer and another long-time resident of Bammy’s neighborhood—laughed while Calvin fought the urge to strangle me. We only had twenty minutes left before I had to get to my next appointment, which was adding pressure and making this task all the more difficult.

What if I get it wrong? What if once it was installed I hated it? As Calvin said, this needed to be a final decision. No changes. No takebacks. He would order the materials today so his team could start the install once they finished the demo.

To be fair, I had made decisions. The faucets, light fixtures, and the fancy toilet with a heated feature were all locked in. The tile, arguably the most important element in the entire room, was the only thing causing me trouble.

“I have an idea.” Tina pulled a giant book from beneath the counter. “Let’s see what style you gravitate toward.”

The book was roughly the size of my coffee table, and as she opened the cover it felt like watching a witch open a giant book of spells. Maybe she had some magic that would get this job completed before I was forced to move in.

But then that would take a miracle, not witchcraft.

Tina pointed from the first page to the second. “This one leans a little more rustic, while this one is very clean and modern.” She turned the page. “Then we have something a little more retro, which doesn’t seem right for you at all.” Another page flipped. “This is one of my favorites. A modern version of vintage without going too turn of the century. It’s clean, but not too angular. The curves in the pattern really soften the entire look.”

I was in love. The room was two-tone, with a muted green subway tile covering the bottom half of the walls, then going to the ceiling in the shower. The top third of the walls was white, while the floor featured a sweeping marble look, carrying similar green tones in the veining.

Not in a million years would I have guessed I’d go for a green bathroom, but the look was so perfect for the house. I could imagine Bammy choosing that tile, the floating light brown vanity, and even the muted brass drawer pulls.

“The light fixtures and faucets you’ve chosen would blend perfectly with this design,” Tina assured me.

The hard sell was totally unnecessary.

“I’ll take it.”

“You’ll what?” Calvin said, as if waking from a nap.

“This is the one,” I said, pointing to the page. “This is my bathroom.”

He leaned over my shoulder. “You want it up the walls like that?”

“Exactly as it is in the picture.”

The lack of enthusiasm told me this would not have been his choice. Good thing he didn’t have to live with it.

“The floor tile too?” he asked, making notes in his ever present notebook.

“Yes, and the vanity.”

Leaning closer, he whistled. “That vanity is not in the budget.”

“I can find you something similar at the right price,” Tina assured. We hadn’t been close friends back in the day, as she was nearly five years younger than me and we never ran in the same circles. But today Miss Tina Felton was quickly becoming my new favorite person.

“A friend of mine is considering buying a fixer-upper.” Technically, Megan and Ryan had been too busy with wedding plans to start the house hunt in earnest, but that didn’t stop her from sending links with ‘Look at this one!’ messages in the group chat. “I’m dragging her in here when they settle on something.”

Her smile widened. “Thank you.” Lowering her voice, she said, “A small discount is always an option when you refer a friend.”

Calvin unfurled from the chair where he’d done little more than offer the occasional sigh at my indecision and handed Tina a sheet of paper. “Here’s the dimensions of the room. Order whatever I need to create that picture, and put a rush on it if necessary.”

“Consider it done.”

After exchanging a low-key high five, I snagged one of Tina’s business cards off the counter. “I’ll be back when we get around to my new ensuite.”

Dropping her guard a bit, Tina glanced around. “Thank you. We could use the business.”

I also took in the room and noticed the lack of activity. In fact, Tina appeared to be the only employee on site.

Once Calvin and I were outside, I asked, “How long has this place been here?”

“Less than a year,” he replied. “I’m their biggest customer, but one of their only customers. Are you really going to bring your friend?”

“Of course.” I reached my car and checked the time. I still had ten minutes to grab a bite and make it to my next appointment. Thankfully, it wasn’t far from here. “Why wouldn’t I?” He was silent for so long I looked up to catch him staring at me as if I’d turned into a one-eyed alien. “What’s that look about?”

“You keep surprising me.”

He sounded more annoyed than pleased.

“Meaning I’m not the snob you thought I was?”

He ignored my question. “Just follow through, okay?”

“Follow through?”

“Tina was serious about needing the business. Don’t say you’ll bring someone, and then not do it.”

Amazing. No matter what I did, he continued to think the worst of me.

“I have someplace to be.” Climbing into the car, I dropped my junk on the passenger seat and buckled up, putting the annoying contractor out of my mind.