Page 119 of Knot a Bad Idea
It’s not as flashy as the one in Stone County, and I prefer it that way.
Nestled on a private road surrounded by redwood trees, it’s only around fifteen minutes from both my mom and Skylar’s homes. A sprawling stone driveway leads up to the two story residence, with perfectly manicured hedges and rosebushes. Itlooks simple enough on the outside—white with a dark brick roof and French windows—but inside, it’s completely renovated.
I swallow as I pull into the driveway, eyeing the cars already parked.Everyoneis here.
I don’t even make it to the front double doors when Devyn opens them and pulls me into a hug.
“Oh, mygod!”
I can’t help it. I laugh at my friend’s delight. “Do you like it?”
“Can I live here? April, thekitchen! It’s the most amazing kitchen I’ve ever seen!”
The pack made sure I had the kitchen of my dreams, one that I could bake in to my heart’s desire. It’s almost a replica of the one in the packhouse in Stone County, but with more counter space.
“We have guest rooms. You and Ben are welcome anytime,” I tell Devyn.
That was another requirement for the home. There had to be enough guestrooms to host the people I care about.
And the pack’s requirement was a second art studio in the house, where the three of them can create. There’s even a painting hung in there—a painting that Liam was nervous about showing me. It’s something he painted when he was still longing for me and there was no clear definition of what we were.
He painted it when he didn’t know if we would ever be together.
I cried when I saw it, and it was the first piece of art that we displayed in the studio.
Their private studio that Hunter took me to is still there, of course, but this home has one that’s similar, complete with a loft and matching skylight above it.
I didn’t even know it was possible to fall in love with a house, but I did. The first time I walked through the door, I started crying happy tears.
And now, Devyn is crying as well over the double oven in my kitchen. She’s an emotional mess in the best way, and I’m lucky I have a friend that’s so happy to see me taken care of.
“Don’t just stand at the door, silly,” I chastise her softly. “Let’s go inside.”
We follow the sound of voices into the kitchen, where everyone has gathered.
There’s a two-tier chocolate cake sitting on the marble island, along with a plethora of snacks and charcuterie boards. My mom is seated in the living room adjacent to the kitchen, talking with Liam and Landon on the sectional couch.
Vincent and Donovan, however, are standing in front of the kitchen island, having a quiet, intense conversation. Vincent has his arms crossed, and Donovan matches his stance.
“Do I want to know what’s going on over there?” I ask Devyn, motioning toward them.
She shrugs. “No idea. But Ben is with River somewhere. I’m going to go find him!”
As she heads off, Skylar walks in and pulls me into a hug. “Happy housewarming,” she says. “Do you like the snacks?”
“I haven’t tried any yet. But they look amazing. You did a good job.”
She steps out of my embrace and beams. “Thanks! That’s the most important part, after all.”
I raise an eyebrow, not ready to argue with my best friend that snacks are, in fact,notthe most important part of this get together.
“Also, before you ask…” she nods at Vincent and Donovan. “They’re actually getting along. Vincent just always looks pissy. And I guess Donovan does, too.”
I shrug. “That makes me feel better. Maybe they’re becoming friends?”
Skylar snorts. “Vincent doesn’t know the word.”
“Neither does Donovan. Maybe they have more in common than they think.” I frown as I look around the living room and kitchen. “Where’s everyone else?”