Page 65 of Coldhearted King

She sighs happily. “Doesn’t it? One day, when I have my dream house, I’m going to make sure it has its very own library. One with a ladder to reach the top shelves.”

“And a window seat?”

“Of course. A window seat is essential for any home library. Oh, and it needs to be a bay window looking out over a beautiful garden.”

This is a game my mom and I play. It started when I was young and one of my friends pointed out a big, beautiful house behind a black wrought-iron gate and enviously listed all the fancy things that must be inside it. She didn’t know the house belonged to my father’s family, but I did. Mom had always been honest with me, and that included answering my questions when I started asking about my dad.

When I saw Mom that afternoon and mentioned it to her, she’d sat me down and told me that a house can be big and beautiful and full of expensive things, but that doesn’t mean it’s full of love. And then together, we’d started dreaming up all the wonderful things we’d put into our own dream house. One that would be full of everything that gave us joy.

And we still do it today.

After chatting for a while longer, I say goodbye to Mom and immediately go to my little desk in the corner of the room. I pull out the plans I keep rolled inside a document holder and spread them out over my desk.

Mom doesn’t know it, but describing our dream house that day ignited my desire to be an architect. I wanted to be the one to design my mom’s perfect house. Throughout high school, I used to doodle ideas in the backs of my schoolbooks. Once I started college and learned the proper skills, I began drawing them up. The thought of surprising her with the plans one day, and eventually having enough money to build it for her, was the dream that kept me going through years of study. And after that, the hard work to get my license.

Imagining her happiness when she finally got to live in her dream house—one that would far surpass the house my dad had lived in when I was young, because it was full of everything she loved—always made me happy.

I make some changes to the plan in front of me. I’ve already added a library, since it’s something she’s mentioned before, but now I want to make it larger and add in the bay window. This isn’t the first iteration of Mom’s house I’ve created. I’ve gone through quite a few variations throughout the years. As my skills increased and I had different ideas, or when Mom mentioned something else she’d like that I hadn’t already thought of, I’d make changes.

I’m so caught up in perfecting Mom’s library that I don’t realize Alex is home until she speaks behind me. “Working on your mom’s house again?”

I put down my drafting pencil and stretch before turning to face her. “I want it to be perfect by the time I finally have the money to build it for her.”

She peers over my shoulder. “It looks pretty perfect to me.”

“It’s getting there.” I roll up the plans and store them back in the corner. Then I get up and wander to the couch while Alex rummages around in the small kitchen, putting together a dinner of leftovers. Pretty much what I had done several hours ago.

“Not spending the evening with lover boy tonight?” she asks as she shoves some Chinese food from a couple of days ago into the microwave.

“No. He has some kind of event he has to attend tonight.”

“It’s been a few weeks since we’ve had a Friday night together,” she says.

I grimace. “I know. I’m sorry. I’ve been a bad friend.”

“No, you haven’t. I’m only joking. It’s good that you’re getting some so regularly. At least one of us is.” The microwave dings and she pulls out the steaming bowl of food, then comes over and plops next to me on the couch.

“Does Jaxson have plans to visit?” I ask.

She sighs. “Not for a while. He’s busy attending PR events and then they’ll be in the studio to record their album.”

“Has he said anything more about their plans? Are they still considering moving to LA?”

Alex’s shoulders slump a little. “They’re still debating it. It makes sense for them to be there, but all four of them have lived in New York their whole lives. It’s a big choice.”

“And there’s you. Don’t forget, you’re his future too, not just his music. Have you told him how much you’re missing him?”

Alex bites her lip. “I’ve tried to hide it. I want Jaxson to do the right thing for him and his band without worrying about how I’m feeling. But honestly, just this little taste of having a long-distance relationship has been harder than I expected.”

“What about your idea of getting a job in the LA office?”

“I asked about it, but they don’t have any positions available. Something might open up in the future, but nothing at the moment.”

“Would you consider joining another firm?”

“If I have to. I suppose I’m waiting until the guys make up their minds about what they’re going to do. And then I’ll decide.”

I reach over and give her a hug. “I’m sorry. I know it’s hard and you miss him. I shouldn’t have left you here all by yourself so often.”

---