He hikes a shoulder. “I think it’ll make things worse if I don’t show up.”
I blow out a long breath through my lips. “I just wish Alex would wake up. I hate being in limbo like this.”
He nods, clenching his jaw. “Come on, let me give you guys a tour.”
The tour doesn’t last long, and my heart sinks when I take in the bare walls and lifeless rooms. It screams solitude, and I know the last four years couldn’t have been easy on him.
“What’s in this room?” Alyssa swings open the last door at the end of the hallway.
“Wait, that’s not?—”
Her eyes widen when she steps in the doorway. “Whoa.”
Chance reaches up and rubs the back of his neck. “It’s not finished yet.”
Avery and I peer into the room, and a gasp leaves my throat. “Chance...”
He leans against the doorframe and watches me as I step further into the room.
One side has wall-to-wall shelves, filled with books. The other wall is accented with giant windows overlooking the city, with various types of comfortable chairs set up underneath that look perfect to curl up on while you’re reading. An easel stands in the far corner of the room beside a table with paint brushes and stacked canvases.
Avery glances over his shoulder, his eyes darting between us. “Is this for us? For me and Alyssa?”
Chance nods. “It was going to be a surprise.”
Alyssa clamps her hand over her mouth. “Sorry.”
He chuckles. “It’s okay. I wanted you guys to have something to do when you come over. I wanted to make it feel more...inviting.”
I slip my hand into his and give it a squeeze. “You wanted to make it feel like a home.”
“Thank you.” Avery smiles, and nudges Alyssa.
“Oh, yes. Thank you!”
My stomach growls. Loud.
Chance’s eyebrows shoot up. “Uh-oh. Her stomach is growling. That only gives us five minutes.”
Avery holds up his wrist, pretending to glance at a watch. “Hurry! We have to get the beast fed!”
My mouth drops open. “I am not a beast.”
Alyssa pushes past everyone and runs frantically out of the room. “Get to the kitchen! Now!”
“I’ll get the plates,” Avery shouts as he and Chance scramble to get out of the room, leaving me behind.
I lift my arms and let them fall, slapping my palms against my thighs. “What the hell?”
“I love your nails.”
Chance smirks as he gazes down at his newly painted navy-and-silver nails. “I can’t tell her no.”
“Welcome to my life.” I lean my head against his shoulder, stretching my legs out on the couch. “It was really sweet of you to build that room for them.”
“I just want them to feel welcome here. I don’t know if I’ll be able to spend time at their house anymore.”
Guilt pricks at my gut. “I hate this so much.”