Chapter 24
twenty-four
. . .
Gracie
When I woke up Sunday morning, I was relieved the weekend was coming to an end. Not because I didn’t love my parents. Not because I didn’t love Cutler’s parents.
It was because I missed being in his bed.
In his arms.
We’d all stayed up last night and laughed for a few hours after the Langfords had left, because it was the most bizarre night ever.
Cutler had surprised me when he’d stuck to his story about seeing someone. I figured after they’d left he’d say that he’d just made it up to let Britani down.
But instead, he’d doubled down. He’d said he’d met someone he was crazy about.
He and I hadn’t gotten to talk about it, but he’d texted me last night once we were in bed and told me that he missed me, and I’d said I missed him too.
There was a knock on my bedroom door. I called out that it was open, and my mom and Emerson walked in.
“You slept late,” Mom said. “The guys are making breakfast, but we came in here to grill you.”
I rubbed my eyes and sat forward. “You can ask me anything, just never set me up on a date, because that was—a lot.”
My mom climbed onto the bed on one side, and Emerson took the other.
“I promise, my matchmaking days are over.” Mom shook her head in disbelief. “I called Grandma this morning, and she said she wasn’t surprised at all. Apparently Britani is a handful, and they don’t know what to do about it. I feel so bad for putting Cutler through that, though.”
“He’ll be okay,” I said. “I still can’t believe she followed him into the bathroom, and that she was so unhinged.”
“Agreed. I was pretty shocked from the minute they walked in the door,” Emerson said.
“In hindsight, I guess I really don’t know them at all. Lesson learned.” My mom sighed.
“So, we came in here to ask if you’ve met Cutler’s lady,” Emerson said.
“I have, and she’s fabulous.” I could feel the biggest smile spread across my face, and it took everything I had not to laugh.
“Really?” Mom pressed. “Why didn’t you tell us when we told you about Britani coming over?”
“Well, first off, it isn’t my story to tell. It’s his personal life. And I didn’t know that she thought he was betrothed to her. I thought it would be a casual dinner. No big deal. But clearly that did not happen.”
Mom’s head fell back with a laugh. “I think when Grant was asking him about taking over his company, I realized something wasn’t right.”
“How about when Jana asked if he was available to join them on their family vacation over Thanksgiving?” Emerson said over a fit of laughter.
“It took all I had not to let her know that he always comes home for Thanksgiving. And that I was offended that she wanted my boy for Turkey Day, not even bringing up the fact that they literally just met.”
“He’s easy to love, isn’t he?” I said, and they both stopped laughing and turned to look at me. I cleared my throat. “I mean, people just love him. He’s that guy.”
“Yes. He really is.” Emerson smiled down at me. “And so are you, beautiful Gracie.”
“Ahhh…slumber party in Gracie’s room, huh?” Cutler said as he pounced onto the bed and then tickled me until I couldn’t breathe from laughing so hard. “Come on. Breakfast is ready.”
He stood up and helped both of our moms up from the bed, wrapping an arm around each of them.
“I just need to brush my teeth, and I’ll be right out,” I said.
“You got it, Jeege.” His eyes scanned me from head to toe.
“Can I ask you one thing?” Emerson said as they walked toward the door.
“Ask away, Mama.”
“Is this girl a good one?” she asked.
“This girl is the best girl.” He glanced over his shoulder and winked at me.
My stomach fluttered and I scooted out of bed, escaping to the bathroom before they caught on.
I splashed water on my face and brushed my teeth before pulling on a sweatshirt and making my way out to the kitchen.
Everyone I loved was here, and the laughter made my chest squeeze.
I wished my brother was here, but we’d all be home for Christmas, and I was looking forward to it.
“There she is,” my father said, and I made my way over to him and kissed his cheek.
“Good morning.” I took my seat between Cutler and Nash and glanced around at the spread on the table. Waffles and fried eggs and sausage. “That was nice of you guys to cook for us.”
“Cutler was the first one up today. I think he probably woke up early because he was a little traumatized by his unexpected date last night,” my father said, raising a brow at my mother and Emerson.
“Hey, she just asked if he was single. It wasn’t like I promised him to their family.
” My mother shook her head in disbelief.
“Okay, let’s talk about Thanksgiving and Christmas, Gracie girl.
I know you’ll be living in New York then, but you’ll be home for the holidays, right?
Burke will be done with his semester abroad, so he’ll be home from Italy in early December.
I’ll be happy to have both of my children back in the same country as us. ”
“I know. I’m ready for him to be home too. And of course I’ll come home for both holidays—I wouldn’t miss it.” I glanced over at Cutler, who was watching me.
The realization was hanging over our heads like a dark cloud.
When would I see him next? I was leaving at the end of September. I’d be flying home to Cottonwood Cove in November and December. I didn’t know when I’d be able to come visit him.
The thought made my heart heavy.
A sick feeling settled in my stomach.
Everything was going to change when I left.
And I didn’t want to think about it.
“Are you guys going to celebrate Christmas in the new house here with everyone?” my father asked Nash, Emerson, and Cutler.
“That’s the plan,” Cutler said, smiling at his mom, but it appeared forced.
I knew exactly what he was thinking, because I was thinking the same thing.
It would be a while before we’d see one another again.
“Any chance we’ll get to meet your special lady friend when we come for the holidays?” Emerson asked, and Nash laughed.
“His ‘special lady friend’? That’s very fancy, baby.” Nash tugged her chair closer and kissed her cheek.
Our parents had such great relationships.
It was what I’d always wanted, but I’d failed immensely in that area of my life. Maybe having examples that were so amazing made it even more challenging to find.
“We’ll see. If we’re still together, I’ll definitely bring her to Christmas dinner,” he said confidently.
He sure was playing this game well.
Maybe he was planning to start dating for real when I left.
Maybe I’d awakened something in my best friend.
Because he’d definitely awakened something in me.
It was staging day at the Chadwicks’ amazing home.
When I worked for J&J Interiors, we had a team in place for move-in days.
I didn’t have that here, as this was a temporary situation.
But this house was done and ready to be furnished, and everything I’d ordered and kept in storage was being delivered today, and boxes were already stacked in the living room for items that had recently arrived.
I would be fine on my own, minus moving the furniture. But the movers would be bringing in all the furniture and setting the items where I wanted them. The only issue would be if I didn’t like where they’d put something and later needed it moved.
But I was hopeful that my vision of where everything would go was solid. I was thrilled that the Chadwicks had agreed to be surprised, and Emilia and Bridger would be flying here tomorrow afternoon to see it.
Today would be a very busy day. I didn’t ask Cutler for help, because the man had four large projects going at the moment, so he had his hands full.
I knew he had to be on-site today to meet the owners at a commercial project he’d just taken on.
I also knew that he’d drop everything to help me, but he shouldn’t have to.
I did, however, call Tatum and ask her to meet me here after work to help unpack the boxes and décor.
She only worked half days at the senior living center on Saturdays, so she was happy to come help.
She’d turned down the offer of money, after we’d argued profusely, but she’d agreed to let me feed her while she was here.
Just having a second set of hands would make a big difference. This was a large home.
I’d started unpacking boxes over the last week and I’d been setting things on the counter in the kitchen, and today I would hyperfocus and get it all done.
This morning was deliveries, so I made sure to get the area rugs put down before the furniture arrived.
There was a fifty-fifty chance the rug placement wouldn’t be quite right, but hopefully it would be close enough that I could shift things on my own if I needed to.
I’d arrived here early this morning, and I’d already gone through a bunch of the décor I’d ordered.
I didn’t know for sure where each piece would go, but I knew that they would work somewhere.
I loved the flexibility in design. A stack of vintage books or a gorgeous vessel could go in a kitchen or a living room or even a bedroom.
So I always found a bunch of those types of pieces to have on hand.
Candles and antique vases were staples as well.
Picture frames and lamps and floral arrangements brought in a ton of character.
I always loaded up on those items, all in the correct color palette, and then I’d find them a home once the furniture was all in place.
I’d started to place items on the built-in bookshelves that I’d had built and painted in a sage green color.
I couldn’t wait for Emilia to see them, because most of the décor and furniture was going to be a surprise to her.
I walked through the home one last time before the chaos started. The wallpaper was absolutely stunning. William was a bit theatrical, but he was very talented and precise, and I appreciated it. Carl had done an amazing job painting, and he’d stayed late last night to get the trim work done.