Page 114 of Under the Ink

The woman had no words, instead scream-giggling into her hands, almost dancing on the concrete beneath her feet. Walker laughed, again making the crusty shell of Naomi’s heart melt further. These two were perfect for one another…and she could find it in herself to let her friend go to this warm-hearted, loving man.

As they walked up the cobblestone driveway, Naomi breathed in the cool September air. It smelled so fresh here. All those cities she’d been in where she’d tried to convince herself that she belonged in one of them—while she’d enjoyed visiting and seeing everything they had to offer—she didn’t remember any of them smelling quite like this. Sure, on the shore of some of those cities, the sea had a refreshing, cleansing scent of its own…but maybe the Colorado mountainside wasn’t so bad after all.

Walker opened a gate that led into the yard and up a stone path to the front door. Ginny said, “We’ll usually go in the side door, but…”

“Tradition!” Walker said with gusto, as if he were the hero on a stage performing a melodrama. He punched the number pad next to the front door and then opened it before turning to Ginny. “My love.”

“Lovey!”

He gave her the sweetest kiss before scooping her up in his arms and carrying her through the door.

Of course. The whole threshold thing. So silly…but perfect for these two.

Once they were all inside, Walker said, “After I change, I’ll pack the car. You have everything ready to go?”

“I need to take some things out of my overnight bag from yesterday, but you can take the two suitcases on the bed whenever you want.”

“Perfect.” He kissed her on the cheek and then crossed the room, bounding up the stairs.

Ginny said, “I’d love to give you a tour, but we’re pressed for time. You can snoop around after we’re gone.”

“I don’t know—”

“Come this way,” Ginny said, grabbing Naomi’s arm. She took her through the gigantic front room with a vaulted ceiling that allowed her to see part of the upstairs—but it was the humongous fireplace and mantel that caught her eye.

If anyone deserved to live in such a beautiful home, it was her dear friend.

Soon, they were in the kitchen—white and bright, modern and shiny—and at the side door Ginny had mentioned moments ago that led to the driveway. She first showed Naomi the code to unlock the door and then how to arm and unarm the alarm. Then she pointed to a tiny board with hooks—on it were two small sets of keys, one that had a keychain of dangling hearts. “The keys to my Subaru. It’s parked in the back of the driveway if you wanna use it.”

“I’m not driving it, Gin.”

“Just in case. And it’s not even in the garage, okay? Easy peasy.”

“Yeah. Easy foryouto say.”

But Ginny already had Naomi’s hand again and was dragging her through the house.Shit.Her feet really hurt—but she’d be out of those damn shoes in a minute.

Up the stairs they went. Ginny said, “I told Garrett to put your bag in the guest room.” At the top of the stairs she turned, giggling again. “Can you believe Ihavea guest room?”

Walker exited from a door to the right wearing a blue polo and khaki pants, no longer looking like a groom. Now he seemed ready to go golfing, except for the two suitcases in his hands. Winking at Ginny, he said, “After you.”

When she giggled again, even Naomi laughed, because her friend’s excitement was contagious. And maybe, she admitted to herself, she was getting a little excited about her own plan.

At the end of the hall, Ginny flipped on the light switch inside the bedroom. “This is the guest room—for now. It might be a nursery later on. We haven’t decided yet. I know we talked about you staying in the apartment over the garage later…but we’d like for you to stay in the guest room while we’re on our honeymoon…if you don’t mind.”

“That’s fine.” Naomi looked around the huge room decorated in soft blues and beiges. “Didyoudecorate your house?”

“Not exactly,” Ginny said, walking over to the bed and touching Naomi’s bag. “I kind of cheated. The house was already perfect—but Walker had me meet with an interior designer who helped me.”

“That’s not cheating.”

“You saw my bedroom back at my parents’ house. I totally cheated here.”

Naomi just smiled and then pulled her friend into an embrace. “I’m so happy for you, Gin.”

“Aw.” Ginny held Naomi for a bit and then said, “I love you, Nam. You willalwaysbe my bestie.”

“I love you, too.”

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