Page 21 (1/2)

I was excited to be invited to a party; itthe su if I said there wasn’t a little bit of High School Roxie lingering as I reached the doorstep I remindedarlic and accented with perfectly bias-cut brioche crostini So there I took a deep breath and rang the doorbell

Logan answered the door with a big hug and a smile, took my dip, handed me a brush and pail, and just like that, I was at a Cool Kids Party And yeah, there were people there wholad to see , and expressed ad schools in the country and envy at eles, a place that was still considered very exciting and "cool" and "awesoreat!" No one kne butter had sunkmost people would never do, and they were curious

It had never seemed hard or adventurous towith people who thought I was brave for venturing out and doing so different froold Victorian, it was in rough shape but beautiful The , and an enormous fireplace with built-in bookshelves on either side The kitchen had been recently renovated, and Chad told ain more roos froo The house oozed charned a roo a different color story I was trotted up to the third floor, where there was a giant converted attic space, with a small roooodness, is this the turret room ?" I exclaimed

"Yes, it’s my favorite room in the house The rest of the attic will be sort of a second living rooht I’d make this into my home office," Chad said as I explored

"It’s perfect, I love it! What color will it be?"

He opened up a can and showed ray I’d ever seen "I know conventional wisdoht it’d be cozy"

"No no, I think it’s perfect," I said, laying down a drop cloth "Now get outta here and let me paint your office"

"Knock yourself out, sister There’sover, and I’ll send a few up to paint the rest of the attic so you’re not alone up here for too long," he said, then headed back downstairs

I started pouring the dark, inky paint into the paint tray This would be a great roo up the stairs I turned around to say hi with a smile on my face, confident I could make whoever it was feel welcome

And of course it was Leo And the third ti down and pea flinging the first two tiuy was some kind of handsome

Even better than the tall was the broad shoulders And those eyes were going to be the death of reen, and fixed solidly on me With that twinkle He filled up his space with an easy confidence Not cocky, just self-assured Now I could see the Maxwell edge that had been softened by the delivery-guy first i a ten-dollar plaid shirt with an ireen thuar snap peas," he said, setting down his roller and paint tray