Page 104 of Ten Hammers

“It’s stunning,” I whisper. “Absolutely incredible.”

I glance around the room, and a frown forms as I notice the absence of the closet.

Well, damn. The renovation was perfect until now.

“This isn’t up to code as a bedroom without a closet, is it?”

Max grins at me, his eyes glinting with a secret. “Oh, there’s a closet.”

As my eyes follow his gesture, surprise replaces my initial worry. The closet has transformed into a hidden door, seamlessly integrated into the room’s design. Another clever hiding spot, a testament to the Hammer brothers’ ingenuity.

“How epic will the games of hide-and-seek be here?” I murmur.

“Right?” Gav touches my arm. “Look, Pooh Bear.”

Like Max, there’s a mischievous glint in his eye. He directs my attention to the back of the door.

It’s my silly little crayon picture of the Hammer family, me included, only now it’s adorned with an ornate gold frame.

“You didn’t paint over it,” I say, trying to swallow away the tears in my voice.

Gav chuckles. “It deserved a frame.”

“You guys, this is truly amazing. We have to choose a family with a little girl to have this house, to have this room. It’s everything I wish I would’ve had growing up.”

“You’re already mentally picking out the furniture and decor, right?” Gavin asks.

I nod, picturing a big bean bag chair in one corner, a canopy bed in the center of the room, fairy lights every freaking where…

I hug Gavin, and then Max. Is it my imagination or does Gav squeeze me a little tighter, hold me a few seconds longer than Max does?

Go with the flow. Enjoy every moment. Stop looking for drama where there isn’t any.

We head downstairs, and the guys are all there at the bottom, waiting together. When I babble on to them about how much I loved the first surprises, they cheer.

And cheer again when I promise to stay away so I don’t spoil anything.

“But wait,” I say as I head out the door. “I came over to say that if you guys need anything from the store, let me know. I’m running out in a minute. Because,” I give them my sauciest wink, “I’m making a fabulous meal for you tonight. All of you. A surprise of my own.”

They’ve all done so much for me, and I want to show them how much I love them— via a pot roast with all the fixings… their favorite.

“Whoa, hold on,” Mason says. “The Hammer family dinner will have to be another night, Cupcake. Tonight, it’s just you and me. Date night and I have something epic planned, if I do say so myself.”

Wait, what?

I can feel the confusion written all over my face as I say, “But it’s Max’s turn for a date next.”

Behind me, Max clears his throat. “About that…”

My heart flies into my throat as I turn around and catch sight of his wary expression.

“What’s going on?”

Max winces. “Win, can we talk for a sec?”

So much for going with the flow and enjoying every moment. I am freaking the fuck out. Fully panicked.

As I follow Max outside, following his lead as he sits on the porch, trepidation rushes through me. Is it possible that he’s decided he doesn’t want to be a part of this?

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