Page 56 of Better Together

“Luke, I’ll call you back.” Zeke hung up and went to Alexis.

Her eyes glossy, she said, “I don’t think I can do this.”

Not understanding, he asked, “Do what?”

She motioned between them. “Us.”

“You’re kidding, right?” He felt like he had been punched in the gut. “Because of what happened earlier?”

Alexis backed away from him and leaned against the couch. “That and I overheard some of your past conquests ask if I was your flavor of the month.”

Anger took over. He widened his stance. “I don’t have conquests, and I’ve never had flavors of the month.”

“I don’t want to be another one of your short-term girlfriends, just to be tossed aside when you get bored.”

“That’s not fair.” Zeke ran his hands through his hair. “What’s really happening here?”

Alexis didn’t respond.

“You know what? The problem doesn’t lie with me. I’ve always been there for you. I think I’ve proven that over the years. You’re the one who is getting in the way of your own happiness. Maybe it took me a long time to realize I loved you more than a friend, but my feelings for you are real and unchanging.”

Still no response from Alexis. She looked at the floor. Frustrated, he said, “Forget it. You need to figure out what makes you happy. Let me know when you do.”

He grabbed his wig and stormed out the door. When he reached his backyard, he pulled out his phone and texted Luke: I’ll be there. Send me the details.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

With only one week left before the final walk-through and the announcement of the contest winner, Alexis pulled up in front of the Elmhurst house.

Reynolds and Sons landscaping had removed the overgrown bushes and replaced them with new shrubs, and had replaced the broken sidewalk with new concrete. Roman added a dolphin-gray color to the concrete, which complemented the new siding colors: deep blue with charcoal accents and fawn trim. The added roofline supported the new overhang and mission-style columns. The front extension allowed for a covered ramp, which Alexis felt was vital in a Minnesota winter and justified hiring a team from a few counties over to accomplish the task while they were busy on the inside. They’d accomplished a lot in five weeks, more than she’d ever have before, thanks to the support and dedication of the subcontractors and the Hennings’ money and influence.

Alexis walked up the ramp and unlocked the mission-style double front door. It was still early, the sun just peeking over the horizon. Her crew was finishing the church remodel, and Maggie was on her way over to start staging. Alexis used to cherish this little slice of alone time, but if she was being honest, she missed Zeke more. He hadn’t been home for over a week.

She walked around, viewing the house as if she were a potential buyer. She pulled out her notebook and pen and examined every wall and bit of trim, each register and door, and all the little details she knew a discerning eye would notice. She noted a few scuff marks and places where the paint needed touching up. The scents of fresh paint, wood, and the disinfectant used to wash the floors, countertops, and appliances mixed together to give the house a “new car” smell she enjoyed. The cleaning crew had done excellent work readying the home for the finishing touches, furniture, and all the accessories needed to create the homey feel Maggie was so good at crafting before the cameras arrived.

Her phone pinged with an incoming text from Maggie: Running late. I’m bringing a truckload and help. See you soon!

Alexis hadn’t slept much. Zeke’s sudden departure and their fight played through her mind. She dismissed the memory and texted Maggie back: No worries.

Alexis had built her business on her own, and she’d continue to be fine on her own. Her relationship with Zeke had been doomed from the beginning. She’d lost her friend, something she had worried about before allowing her true feelings for him to show.

A large furniture truck pulled to the curb, and Owen jumped out of the passenger side. Maggie followed close behind in Owen’s truck, which was full to the brim with boxes. Boxes of what, Alexis didn’t know, but knowing Maggie, her creative juices were flowing, and the boxes contained all the finishing touches.

They both waved as Alexis made her way down the sidewalk.

“Help me with these boxes, Alexis, it’s all the bedding and linens, vases and knickknacks. There’s snow coming our way,” Maggie said and shivered. She jumped into the bed of the truck after unloading a dolly and started handing the boxes over the side to Alexis. Alexis loaded the two-wheeler and made several trips inside. When she came out, Owen and a guy she didn’t recognize had pulled the ramp out from the truck and started to unload the furniture. Pretty soon, Ethan and Paige showed up, as did Roman and the girls.

While carrying a table into the house, Owen joked, “Where’s Zeke? Is he sleeping in or something?”

“Nope. He won’t be coming.”

Alexis rushed over to the girls to help with a large box and to avoid any more questions about Zeke. She didn’t need to start crying in front of Owen.

With the pickup truck unloaded and the furniture in place, Alexis picked up a box marked “master bedroom” and carried it easily through the widened hallway to the largest room in the back. Maggie was there making the bed, and Alexis tried to dump and run, thinking she could retrieve the next box before Maggie could grill her.

“Not so fast. Get in here and shut the door.”

“No time, Maggie, we’ve got a lot to do.”