Page 97 of The Roommate Remodel

“The room looks amazing.” Brendan surveys the new built-in bookshelves, desk, and window seat in Jaz’s transformed room.

Even Joshua stopped in to see the finished work. He runs a crooked finger over the desktop, the one he designed and built. “Looks mighty pretty.”

“Couldn’t have done it without you,” I say, handing him a check for his time. “Now I’m excited to start on the next phase of the house.”

He pockets the check without even looking at it before he heads to the door.

“You’re going to make that girl awfully happy,” Joshua says, turning to me with his crinkled eyes that always are laughing.

“It’s my goal,” I say. “Even if I can’t say it in words.”

Joshua loops his thumbs in his overalls and studies me for a beat. “I don’t know much about love, but I can see it written all over your face.”

I look at him in surprise. “You can?”

He nods once. “Let me give you a piece of advice, son. Something I learned the hard way. Don’t keep your feelings from her.Even if it’s the hardest thing you’ll ever do.” He pats my shoulder once before he leaves. I know it won’t be the last time I see him.

If Joshua had said that a month ago, it would have scared me away. But now I can see myself being with Jaz for a lifetime.

This place, with its worn wood floors and immense windows framing the morning light, represents so much more to me than a sprawling fixer-upper. It’s the place where we were forced to work through the ugly parts of ourselves and fix the parts that needed work. Just likeRose & Thorn, our relationship needed a remodel.

While Brendan and Vale line up Jaz’s books on the shelves, I set out all of Jaz’s favorite things. Granny’s jewelry box. Her pink journal collection filled with fashion drawings. Pictures of her with Sloan. Another with Granny. Jaz with her parents.

Then I add two more to the collection: a picture of Jaz with the Crushers hockey team on the night we won our first game and a picture of us at Mia’s wedding. I’ve got my arm around her waist and we’re both wearing smiles a mile wide. I don’t want to forget that night or how beautiful she looked in her pink silk gown with her shoulders shimmering in the light. She’s even wearing the tiara we found in the closet, the one that made me call herprincess.

When I look at it, I see how much has changed, how I’m owning my mistakes now, and becoming the man she needs me to be. If that means risking everything for her, then I’ll do it. Her future happiness is everything to me.

“Brax? Hello? Anyone home?” Jaz’s voice calls from the front door.

We rush to meet her before she spoils her surprise.

“Hey, Jaz,” Vale says, stopping abruptly so that Brendan almost runs into him from behind.

“Welcome back,” Brendan exclaims, wrapping Jaz in a hug before she sees me and rushes over. She nearly falls into my arms, and my pulse immediately skyrockets.

“I missed you,” I murmur into her ear before she whispers back, “Missed you more.”

Brendan and Vale line up behind her, looking guilty and excited.

Jaz looks us over, a curious grin hitching up the corner of her mouth. “What’s going on?”

“A surprise for you,” Brendan says.

“What surprise?” She glances around and gasps when she spies the new colors in the kitchen, dining and living room. The dappled sunlight makes the pale grays and soft buttery yellows look magnificent against the hardwood floors. “Did you paint while I was gone?” Before I can answer, she takes a few steps toward the dining room and freezes when she discovers the wall between the two rooms has disappeared.

“You took out the wall?” she exclaims.

“Team effort,” I reply, taking her hand and leading her to the bedroom next. “I couldn’t have finished this remodel without everyone’s help. Especially Brendan and Joshua.” I push open her door and wait for her to take in the transformation of her bedroom.

Her mouth drops. “You. Did. This?” She spins around to face me, her eyes wide.

“Joshua was a tremendous help. Brendan and I finished it off.”

“Wait, Joshua was here? I promised to pay him.” She rushes toward the front door.

“Already taken care of,” I tell her.

She wheels around. “I’ll pay you back.”

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