We're One: Two wrongs always make a right

Chapter Thirteen

Sia

Time flies when a person’s busy. I’ve never been one to sit around and do nothing. I get bored far too easily. I learned at an early age that when I’m bored, bad things happen. When Nikki and I were twelve we had a way-too-boring summer. The worse it got, the crazier we got.

We took a bicycle ride that ended with me in the bushes from going far too fast and realizing too late that my brakes weren’t working. I ended up in the bushes and was picking things out of my hair days later. We also decided we loved the sound of raspy voices. I have no idea why we thought that was cool, but we were told if you ate an entire lemon with salt, you’d lose your voice. So we sat on that same bicycle trail and forced down a whole lemon each, with salt on each slice. We were rolling on the ground gagging as we forced each piece down. We didn’t lose our voices. In fact, we found out that singers eat lemons before performances to improve their voices. Our stunts continued to grow bolder, but we decided we’d better not put ourselves into situations where we were bored again after that.

It’s been a couple of weeks since I first brought the samples to Zach’s home. Since then I’ve been at his home at least four days a week. Often he’s with me, doing walk-throughs and picking out patterns and furniture. Luckily, I’m on my own a lot too. When Zach’s in the room with me, I lose the ability to fully think, and also lose my breath.

Luckily, the project is coming right along. It’s amazing to be able to do a project like this with an unlimited budget. That means I don’t need to have ten bids on each thing to pick the best price. I can go with people who do a great job and work fast. His home is already looking brand new, and in my opinion, absolutely stunning.

The living room has new light pouring into the once dimly lit space, making this room, among others, feel more open and inviting. It’s amazing how darkness truly does shrink a space. I need to practice patience because I want to see it all finished, but it’s still weeks away.

I critically look at the freshly painted walls. Zach decided on neutral colors, a lot of white and cream with some accent walls in sage green, my favorite. The choices are perfect and so easy to decorate with, giving a cohesive look to the entire space.

The painters just finished. It’s hard to envision what to do next with paint cloths all over the place and a dozen people in the home cluttering up the space. I leave the living room and walk around the house, checking things off of my to-do list.

The windows are now fitted with smart blinds, which Zach is really excited about. He only has to push a button on a remote to lift and lower the blinds. He had no clue they existed. They are one of my favorite inventions, but they aren’t cheap, so not many of my clients get them. This really is a dream job where I get to do all of the things I imagined doing while decorating a home.

The valances will be hung tomorrow afternoon once the paint is fully dry and will add a touch of elegance to each room. I would’ve gone with bolder patterns and colors for the valances, but Zach wanted to keep it cleaner. I have to admit, as I pulled them from their packaging and set them near the windows, I like his choices. The patterns I preferred would’ve made it more difficult to choose furniture. Keeping the walls and valances fairly neutral makes it so much easier to add bolder touches that make the rooms pop.

After making a full circuit through the house, I find Zach looking around, a smile on his beautiful lips. He turns and his smile grows. This man is dangerous to every woman within sight of him.

“The colors are perfect.”

“They really are. It will make all of the accents really pop,” I agree.

“It’s crazy how the house already seems so much brighter and more welcoming. I hope Gramps is looking down and loves it.”

“I’m sure he is. I believe our loved ones stay with us. I can’t stand the thought of never seeing them again, so I prefer to believe they’re always here. It makes me less afraid of death this way.”

“I’ve never looked at it that way before, but you make a good point. I can’t stand the thought of never seeing Gramps or my parents again.” Then he chuckles as he looks up. “You too, Grams. I lost you too soon.”

“They all know how much you love them,” I assure him. That pesky stinging is in my eyes again and I turn to gaze out the window. I’m a sentimental fool at times. Of course, I don’t want to lose my humanity either, but I need more balance. I’m the girl who cries at those old Folger’s commercials when the big brother returns from the military and surprises his little sister. Seriously, I’ve seen that commercial a hundred times or more and it still tears me up.

“I’m so glad I found you, Sia. You’ve done an amazing job. No one could have the same vision as you. I love how much heart you put into your job. This truly is your calling.”

I can’t help but beam at these words. “I really love doing this. There’s something special about appreciating what we have. I love that we can take something old and make it beautiful again. We’re in an age where we’re quick to throw things out and replace them, but there’s so much magic in what we already have; it’s a shame not to reuse things. I hope I get to do this the rest of my life.”

“Why wouldn’t you get to?”

“I have to get people to hire me, and that’s getting harder and harder to do, even though I’ve only been at it about ten years, five on my own. There’s so much information online, people don’t hire a decorator. They find what they want and do it themselves.”

He nods. “I can see people doing that, but they’re losing the gifted artist element that you bring. I think you’ll stay busy for a very long time to come.”

“I hope so,” I say as a warm flush creeps up my cheeks. “It really is a team effort though. I might be bringing you choices, but you’re the one deciding on the final product. You’re easy to work with and have really good taste. A few men I’ve worked with have no vision at all, and I’m not so thrilled with the final product. It’s not my home though, which is what I always tell myself. They have to be happy with it, so if they are, it counts as a job well done.”

We move from room to room as we discus final touches to add in the coming weeks. Despite the progress, I can’t help but think about the mixed feelings swirling inside me. On one hand, I’m thrilled with how everything’s turning out, and truly enjoying the time spent with Zach. On the other hand, I’m frustrated with my own indecision and the confused feelings I have for him. It’s driving me more than a little crazy.

I assure myself that with time things will become a lot clearer. I have to be patient with myself. Zach isn’t pushing me, and that’s wonderful. On the other side of that coin, though, I wonder if he’s already lost interest. In his defense, I send all sorts of mixed signals that can’t be easy for the man. He leaves to take a call and I take more notes on what I need to get done in the next week. We have a team coming in to hang the valances tomorrow, and to take away the leftover paint. I’ve already ordered the pictures that will be here in a few days. I want to be present at the hangings, getting them in the right places. I already drew sketches and know where all of them will go. There are a couple of hundred in various sized frames to make the rooms pop. I’ve also sent some of the artwork in to be reframed. The images on them are beautiful but the frames were scratched and needed a makeover. A couple of the frames were stunning but needed sanded and painted. I can’t wait to see all of them laid out in each room. This is one of my favorite parts of decorating because it brings personality to a home.

I’m finishing up when I hear a commotion at the front door. Laughter soon follows, and curiosity moves me into the hallway where I see four people standing, all of them wearing smiles. Zach comes around the corner, a wide grin on his face.

“Sia, come meet my brothers, Callan and Blaze.”

“And their amazing women,” one of the women says.

“I always save the best for last,” Zach replies, and everyone chuckles.

“This is Courtney, my brother Blaze’s fiancée, and this is Sasha, Callan’s fiancée,” Zach says. A small woman steps around her fiancé, and I take in her face then grin from ear to ear. What a small world we live in.

“Sasha!” I exclaim as I rush forward. Everyone looks at us with confusion as we meet each other in the middle and exchange a hug. “I can’t believe you’re here. It’s so good to see you. I’ve been terrible about keeping in contact. Had I known you were in Seattle I would’ve called. I blame Nikki.”

“Oh my gosh, it’s been way too long, Sia,” Sasha replies, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “I had no idea you’re the woman tying Zach all up in knots.”

I ignore this. I don’t know what she means and prefer not to dwell on it. My emotions are already too tangled when it comes to Zach. “I’ve been working for him for about a month. I can’t believe it’s taken this long to know you’re a part of the family.”

“You have to stay for dinner. We’re ordering takeout and looking at the progress on the ranch. We have far too much to catch up on for you to leave,” Sasha insists.

The men and Courtney are looking at us with curiosity. Sasha turns to them. “Sia and I grew up together in Seaville and are lifelong friends, though she hasn’t been home in forever and you know how life gets in the way, so we haven’t gotten the chance to see each other in over a year. That’s unacceptable.”

“I agree. I’m so sorry,” I tell her as we move to the kitchen, our happiness following us. Zach orders the food as we girls sit down, and Callan pulls out some wine bottles and begins to pour.

“I should’ve put this together sooner when I found out you grew up in Seaville,” Zach says with apology.

“Yes, you should’ve. It’s a small town,” Sasha tells him.

“Sorry about that, but you’re together now,” he says to his soon-to-be sister-in-law.

“I guess I’ll forgive you since you brought one of my best friends back into my life.” She then turns to me. “How is Nikki doing? I need to chew her out for not calling. I’ve been watching her food videos, and they’re amazing.”

“She’s busy all the time. We’re both incredibly homesick,” I tell her.

“I never thought I’d leave Seaville. I love it, as you well know. But Callan and I spend about half our time there so it’s not so bad when we’re here or traveling to different locations while he’s building resorts,” Sasha says.

“Oh, to travel the world would be incredible,” I say, enviousness that she’s living all of her dreams. I push this down. I don’t want to ever be jealous of my friends. We all have different paths in life, and they take us down roads at different times. I’m where I’m supposed to be for now.

“Traveling is amazing, but nothing beats those bonfires we had on the beach in Seaville with our friends and family,” Sasha says, her eyes twinkling with nostalgia. “We spent many late nights talking around the fire for hours on end.”

“I miss that so much. They were the absolute best,” I agree. “I didn’t appreciate growing up there like I should have, but thinking back to all of the fun we had, like pulling pranks and getting into trouble, makes me love it more. Also living in the city where the sound never stops makes me love Seaville even more.”

“Yes, Seaville’s a hidden treasure,” Sasha says with a sigh. “I can’t stay away for longer than thirty days before I have to go back.”

“You’re lucky you get to go back so often. With work and the cost of travel, I’m lucky to get back once a year, and my parents complain a lot.”

“Well then, you’re going to be very pleased,” she says.

“Why is that?” I ask with a chuckle. I realize I’ve emptied an entire glass of wine already. Someone magically fills it again and I start sipping without even thinking.

“Because we’re heading down there tomorrow. You have to come with us. We’re taking the private jet and there’s plenty of room on it. I won’t let you tell me no. I happen to know your current client, and he won’t complain about it at all,” Sasha says as she laughs with delight.

“No complaints from me,” Zach quickly pipes in. Not that he’d get to complain. If one of his brother’s soon-to-be wives wants something, they won’t be denied. I can already see that dynamic in this family. The men look at their fiancées like they hang the moon and stars.

“I don’t know,” I say, not knowing why I’m hesitating. I feel like I’m taking advantage of my current client, which I don’t want to do. I can’t imagine the cost of traveling on a private jet.

“I won’t take no for an answer. We haven’t spent time together in ages,” Sasha says. “We’ll get all of the gang together and have a bonfire to beat all bonfires ever done before.”

“Well... it would be sort of cool.” I cave far too easily.

“Good, then it’s settled. Nikki has to come too. Tell her to put everything on hold.” Sasha has always known who she is and doesn’t easily take no for an answer. I can’t wait to hear all about her romance with Callan. I bet she put him through the wringer. I wasn’t sure if she’d ever settle down. She was one of those women who loved being single.

“Nikki’s going to be thrilled. She misses home more than I do.”

“Of course she does because Seaville’s the best place on the planet,” Sasha says.

More wine is poured, and excitement flows through me as we make plans for the next day. We’re leaving at eight in the morning so not super early, but it’s only a two-hour flight so we’ll be there with plenty of time to enjoy two full days of fun. I can see my parents and still hang with my friends. It doesn’t get better than that.

Food arrives, and we all laugh and have fun as I get to know Zach’s family. Between the wine and being fully accepted into his family, it makes it harder to keep my feelings for him at bay. I’m in big trouble where Zach is concerned. Instead of wanting to run from him, I want to never leave his side.

After hours of fun, I realize I drank far too much to drive. Zach offers for me to stay, but I immediately shake my head no. He offers to take me home, but Sasha says they’re heading that way anyway and she’d love to take me. Zach doesn’t appear too pleased by this, but it’s settled before he can protest.

He gives me a long intense look as I walk out his door that leaves my stomach tied in knots even after I close the car door behind me. My feelings for him are more complicated than they’ve ever been. But I can’t dwell on that, not when I’m heading home to see my family and friends in only a few short hours. I can’t wait to get home and tell Nikki. We have some packing to do. She’s going to be as excited as I am. This day went from great to absolutely perfect. I’ll figure out what all of this means with Zach later. I’ll have the full weekend without him to sort through my feelings... or at least that’s what I think I’ll have.