Page 45 of The Roommate Remodel

“It’s a pleasure,” Brax says, shaking his hand. “I’m so glad you can help Jaz.”

Joshua grins. “I enjoy tinkering with my tools.” Then he turns to me. “Can you show me your bedroom? I’d like to take measurements today.”

I show Joshua to my room and he studies the space for a beat. “You know, I think this wall would be perfect for the window seat.” He points to a sunny window facing the bird feeders Granny always kept by the magnolia tree. “A built-in desk would be perfect on the other wall with the view of the rose garden.”

I clap my hands together. “Oh, Joshua, now you’re speaking my language. That would be so much better than the windowless closet I currently have at work.”

Joshua looks at me, puzzled.

“Never mind.” I shake my head, knowing there’s zero chance Alex would ever let me work from home. But it will be perfect for my custom jersey side hustle. “Should I give you a down payment so you can get started?”

Joshua shakes his head. “Your grandmother was always trustworthy, so I won’t charge you until the room is complete.”

His answer is a tremendous relief, considering my bank account can’t afford another hit. But I’m determined to pay Joshua what he’s worth, even if I’m not exactly sure how it’s going to happen after Sloan’s bills deplete most of our savings.

Brax stands in the doorway, looking in. “Bookshelves and a window seat, huh?”

“I know they’re impractical,” I argue. “But it’s way more fun to start with a dream project instead of something boring.”

Brax shoves his hands in his pockets. “I agree.”

“You do?” I say, hiding my surprise. “I thought you might try to talk me out of them.” Brax slumps against the doorframe, enjoying watching Joshua at work.

“If they make you happy, go for it,” Brax says, before turning to leave.

A small grin spreads across Joshua’s face. “He seems pleasant. Hope you don’t mind me asking, but are you...?”

“Oh, no.” I shake my head. “Definitely not.”

Joshua stretches the measuring tape across the wall. “He just seemed unusually interested in your...” Then he looks over his shoulder at me. “Happiness.”

“We’re just friends,” I answer too quickly. Why can’t friends be interested in what makes the other person happy?

Joshua nods. “Of course. I don’t know why I assumed anything more.”

I leave Joshua to his measuring and head to the bathroom to finish getting ready for work. I let out a frustrated sigh as I pick up a gold necklace I left by the sink.

“You need me to do anything today?” Sloan asks, peeking her head around the door.

“Your job is to take it easy,” I say as I sweep the gold chain around my neck. “Doctor’s orders.”

She looks me over. “What’s the occasion? You’re dressed casually today.”

“Team-building exercises. We were supposed to go to a retirement home, but they had to cancel, so Coach planned a fun team-building event instead and asked me to be in charge.”

“Have fun today,” Sloan says, sitting on the edge of the tub and resting her elbows on her knees. “And I mean that. I’d give anything to be you.”

The melancholy in her voice shakes me. I sink down next to her, wrapping one arm around her shoulders. “Someday itwillbe you. You’ll get better, and you’ll go back to being the best college figure skating coach in South Carolina.”

She rests her head on my shoulder as I squeeze her tightly. “Love you, Jazzy.”

“You too, sis.” I grab my lip gloss and tuck it in my pocket before I notice Sloan looking at me funny.

“Is there something else?”

“I wasn’t sure I should tell you,” she says slowly. “I heard Vale talking about Brax the other night, and your name came up.”

I slowly turn to her. “What about me?”

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