Page 75 of Why Not Us?

“Yes.”

Her answer is the only reason I’m able to let her go.

“Come upstairs,” I say. “I’ll tell you what I’m thinking. You’ve seen Dani’s bedroom.”

She nods.

“The other one is a guest room. Mom stays there whenever she’s in town. But this area is open.” I stop at the top of the stairs. Adalie stops next to me and looks around the flex space. Dani’s bedroom is above the kitchen and the spare room is on the opposite side above the living room, so the area between is pretty much unused. There are a few windows letting in plenty of natural light, just like Adalie’s art room. “I was thinking of turning it into an art space like what you have. Taylor and I are going to build a desk that goes across the whole wall here. But I don’t know what else to include. And do you think there’s enough space?”

“Oh, yes.” She moves further into the area, walking toward the other end where Dani’s bedroom is. “A table easel would be perfect for this. If she wants to use it, she can set it up on the desk, or if she wants to do something else, she can put it away. And like I said, she could easily bring it to her mom’s place. If you want some suggestions, storage would be a good idea, too. Somewhere to keep different things. Paints, canvases, pencils, sketch pads.”

We talk about her suggestions, what she thinks Dani will need and where it would make sense to put it all.

“There’s enough space here. She and I could work on something at the same time,” she says when we’re done. “Like at the paint night.”

I can see her thinking of all the things she wants to do with Dani when the area is finished. I chuckle, guiding her downstairs. “Come on, princess. Let’s get out of here so we can get back and I can take these pants off you. I know how much you hate pants.”

We go out to the bike, which I left on the street after work, and ride to the art store Adalie had told me about. She brings me inside, holding my hand as she leads me through the aisles, pointing out different supplies Dani could use.

We reach the easels, and she lets go to closer examine each one. “This one is simple,” she says, “but I think Dani could use a bigger one. How much are you willing to spend?”

I shrug. “I don’t know how much they are.”

She laughs. “You can get really expensive. But this one is good, I think. There’s some storage, and it’s adjustable.” She checks the price tag. “It’s not a terrible price, either.”

“If that’s the one, then that’s the one. But since we’re on the bike, I’ll come back on Wednesday to get it after work.”

“Would you mind if I get her a birthday present?” she asks.

I love that Adalie wants to do something nice for my daughter. “What are you thinking?”

“Well, you and Taylor are creating this whole art space. She’s going to need art supplies to stock it. I’d like to get her some.”

I turn her toward me, tilting her chin up. “You’re incredible,” I tell her.

She flips her hair, which doesn’t do anything since it’s tied back in a ponytail for the motorcycle ride. “I know,” she says.

I laugh and kiss her.

As we make our way to the bike, I say, “I wanted to ask if you heard any more from your family.”

She wrinkles her nose. “Yes. Mom called this morning, actually. I mentioned to Elliot that we’re dating, and I guess he told her.”

“I take it she doesn’t approve?”

We stop next to the bike and she turns to me. “I don’t care if she approves, Nate. You wouldn’t be the first thing in my life my parents have disapproved of.”

She smiles at me, but there’s sadness in her eyes and I want to wipe it away. I want to tell her they’re idiots if they can’t see how special she is. But before I can say anything, she says, “Let’s go for a ride.”

So we get on my bike and ride through the traffic to Langley. There are closer stores for motorcycle gear, but this one has a large selection and gives us an excuse for a longer ride.

As soon as we walk in the door, Adalie goes straight to the helmets, specifically to the brightest one on display. She picks it up, turning it around so she can see the whole thing.

“I like this one,” she says.

“No kidding,” I say with an indulgent smile.

She smirks at me. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

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