Page 89 of My Three Hometown Hard Hats
The majority of the first floor of the building has been renovated into one large room with small sectioned-off alcoves giving more wall space for artwork—or photography.
The front desk to the right of the doorway is made out of a beautiful light-colored wood. Aspen, I think.
Looking around, I realize most of the space is made from the pale wood. It gives the place a light, airy feel that would allow people’s work to be showcased in all its beauty.
“What is this?” I ask, my voice barely a whisper, because I think a part of me already knows.
I can’t look at any of them right now, so I keep my eyes roaming around, taking in every detail of the gorgeous space as I take a few steps forward.
“A studio,” Brooks says.
I turn around to face all of them.
“Your studio,” Austin adds.
My hands fly to my face. Tears immediately spring to my eyes. “You… you made this for me.”
They all nod.
I spin, taking in the space with new eyes. Seeing all the details they put into this. For me. Tears start falling down my cheeks.
“I… I don’t know what to say,” I get out, facing them again.
Conrad steps forward, wiping my tears away. “You don’t need to say anything. Just use this space to make your dreams come true, if that’s what you want.”
It’s absolutely what I want.But I can’t seem to formulate any of those words right now, so I just nod. His arms wrap around me as I lean into his chest.
Wiping away the last of my tears, I turn to look around the studio again. My studio.
Brooks steps in behind me, his arms wrapping around my shoulders. “Do you like it?” he asks, sounding both nervous and eager.
I tilt my head to the side so I can look into his eyes. “I love it.”
He bites his lip like he wants to say something, but he settles for kissing my lips gently instead.
“There’s more. Come on,” Austin says, lacing his fingers through mine. We walk up the stairs at the back of the studio that lead to the second floor.
At the top, I see a gorgeous office space with a breathtaking view of the mountain out the big windows along the side of the building.
“Oh my gosh,” I gasp.
He keeps tugging my hand.There’s more?
He opens a door to a completely dark room. Until he flicks on the light, I have no idea what’s inside. When I realize what it is, more tears flood my eyes.
“We didn’t know if you’d want to process any of your own photographs, but we wanted you to have the space to do it.”
A darkroom? They made me a darkroom in my very own photography studio?
I launch myself into Austin’s arms, burying my face in his neck as I quietly cry. One of his hands tracks up and down my back while the other grips the back of my thigh, holding me in place.
When my breathing calms, he sets me down on one of the counters. Over his shoulder, I see the twins standing just inside the doorway.
“You didn’t need to do this,” I tell them, my voice still heavy with emotion. I still can’t believe they did all of this for me.
Austin’s hands frame either side of my face. “Yeah, we did, angel.”
I try to drag in a lung full of air, but it feels damn near impossible right now.
