Page 29 of We're One

“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.

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