Page 150 of Now and Then

“Well, shit, I didn’t expect a therapy session today.”

His mention of therapy makes my heart clinch. I glance at Hunter on the couch, knowing we have so much to talk about. Which should scare me, but I know it’ll be fine. I turn my focus back to Easton. “I’m glad you’ll be joining us in Suncrest Valley. We’re lucky to have you.”

“Thank you,” Easton says, “but there’s more.”

“Go on,” I say.

He clears his throat. “We make a good team, and with me moving back, I thought maybe you’d be open to discussing a partnership.”

“A partnership?” My heart beats erratically.

“As much as I’d love to think I have a connection to this town, you and I both know that’s not true. I didn’t grow up here. You’re this town’s best realtor. You know the people. But with my remodeling experience, maybe we could make your dream of being an interior designer a reality too. We could help people buy the house of their dreams, even if it needs a facelift. One we would provide. I’d tackle the construction end of things, and you’d take the design part.”

He lifts his brows, watching me put it together.

Something inside me clicks into place. His renovating background. My realty experience and eye for design. “Easton,” I say slowly, surprised by how easily the idea has overtaken my mind. “That could actually work.”

He grins. “I know.” He gestures around the kitchen and into the living area. “Sutton, this place looks amazing. You were right to pursue interior design—you’ve got a real talent for it. Somehow, you’ve made Hunter’s house come alive. People will trust that. And if they know they can buy a house and have someone make it a home? That’s the kind of leverage most agents don’t have.”

His confidence in me lands deep in my heart. Because it’s not just a business proposal, it’s someone acknowledging that what I can see and what I can build are worth betting on. “We would be a literal dream team,” I say.

“Exactly,” he says. “You don’t need to control every aspect of a business to make something successful. You just need to partner with the right people.”

For a second, I glance back toward the couch—Hunter asleep, completely unaware that the dream I’ve had for my career is right at the tips of my fingers. “That’s the thing I’m finally learning.”

“Is that a yes?” Easton asks.

“I’m working on going with the flow, so that’s definitely a yes.” I’m practically buzzing with energy.

“Good. Hopefully soon, we’ll be busier than we ever imagined.”

The words land, but they don’t crash over me like they once would have. They don’t resurrect that urge to grip everything so tightly it suffocates.

Easton slides a folder over to me. “I drew up a contract for the partnership. Review it and let me know what changes you want to make. Once it’s signed, we can look for our first project together.”

He heads for the door, pausing with his hand on the knob. “I meant what I said, Sutton. You’re good at this. Really good.”

I don’t shrink from the affirmation or rush to explain it away. “Thanks,” I tell him. “Seriously, Easton, this is amazing.” I nod toward the contract.

He smiles, satisfied, and steps into the cold.

The door clicks shut behind him, and I’m already crossing the living room. “Hunter,” I whisper. I try again louder, unable to contain the laugh bubbling up, “Hunter, wake up!”

He groans, shifting under the blanket, eyes already open as I drop to my knees beside the couch.

“Well, that went well.” His voice is raspy with sleep, one corner of his mouth lifting.

“It did!” I’m practically vibrating. “But then, you already know, don’t you? You heard everything?”

“Not everything.” He rolls over and grasps my hand. “I want to hear you tell me.”

Hunter’s sleepy smile sharpens the more I talk.

“I like this version of Sutton.”

I can’t help it. I kiss him and ask, “This version?”

His thumb sweeps over my cheek, sleep still fading from his eyes. “The one who runs toward the things she wants with full abandon.”