Page 67 of Hard to Break

I step into the living room and pause. The furniture has been pushed to the center of the room.

“Was there an earthquake I didn’t know about?” I ask.

“Close.” Sierra is in the kitchen, pulling coffees and donuts out of a brown paper bag.

“Very funny.” Nova stands amidst the chaos, her hands on her hips. “Clay’s parents called, and they’re coming to visit this weekend. You know his mom.”

“She’s that extra, huh?” Sierra asks.

“Her heart is in the right place.”

“It’s just made of ice,” I add helpfully. “So that’s the emergency?”

“Yes. I've been trying to rearrange this room for hours, but nothing seems to feel right.” Frustration seeps into Nova’s voice.

I set down my bag and take a closer look at the space. “Don’t sweat it. A fresh perspective can make all the difference.”

Nova's shoulders relax slightly. “I just want this house to feel like home. We've been here for months, but something's missing.”

We move the furniture around, trying out different layouts.

I suggest moving the couch to the opposite wall, but Nova hesitates. “I'm not sure. I think it needs to face the fireplace.”

After half an hour of pushing and pulling furniture around, it’s not better.

“Carb break,” Sierra suggests.

We pause and make our way to the kitchen. I pop a bite of sticky sweetness into my mouth.

“I haven’t seen you guys in forever,” Sierra gripes. “It’s been a sausage fest at Mile High the past couple of weeks.”

“No Kodashians?” I laugh.

She waves a hand. “They don’t count.”

“I’m sorry,” Nova says. “I’m so preoccupied with this Coastal Gallery show.” She fills Sierra in, finishing with how the gallery owner has very strong opinions on what pieces she brings.

“But it’s all fine, right?” I finish. “I sent him options for new paintings and he can choose one and we’ll be good to go.”

I guess I’m worried because this is possibly my biggest show ever and we haven’t heard back.” Nova sighs.

“Can you give him what he wants?” Sierra asks. “Customer wants a Bud Light when we have perfectly good real beers on tap, I’ll give it to them.”

“You’re comparing art to beer,” I point out.

“Don’t be a snob.” She picks a sprinkle off her donut and tosses it at me.

I grin and catch it in my mouth. “Me? Hell no.”

“Maybe I should have offered to paint something new for him. I could make it similar to the piece he wanted, in the style he liked so much.”

“Don’t do that,” I plead. “He just needs time to adjust.”

Nova nods slowly. “You’re probably right. Enough work talk.” Her expression brightens. “How are things with you and Miles since you moved back in?”

“Wait, back?” Sierra demands.

I catch her up on all of it, finishing with how I moved my things back in. Somehow, I managed to score an entire extra closet in the deal. Miles had already cleared it out for me, saying it was the only kind of “space” he wanted me to take.

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