Mentally, I rewind Greg's words. "I like it," I say. "But I think that we should have the sink on an island with bar seating. That way someone can be working at the sink and talking to someone either sitting at the bar or in the living room."
Anderson and Greg look at each other and nod. "All right," Greg says. "That sounds good." He glances around the area, then back at me. "I think we're done. Pretty cool, huh?"
"It's going to be amazing. Do you want me to write up what we talked about?" I ask Greg. "I can do a quick sketch too, if you want."
"Perfect."
I flash a smile at the two of them. "I can't believe we're really starting. Anderson, seriously. Without you--"
"Believe me, I'm equally indebted to you two."
"Should we go celebrate?" Greg asks. "Drinks? Fried food?"
I check my watch. "I'd love to, but I have plans with Lyle. A going away party for one of his friends."
"Congratulations, by the way," Anderson says. "You must be very excited."
"I am," I say, playing the role perfectly and flashing my ring.
But underneath the shiny smile is a layer of melancholy. For the house I will probably lose. And for the man I'm falling in love with. Because I'm wearing his ring without having the slightest clue if this is really going anywhere.
Wait.
Whoa.
Back-up.
Love?
I reach out, steadying myself against the kitchen cabinet, the word making my knees go weak.
Had I really thought that?
More, had I really meant it?
"You okay?" Greg asks, and I nod automatically.
"I'm a little lightheaded. Too much sun the last couple of days." I glance toward the door. "I'm going to head home and see if I can't draw up that sketch before I have to leave. Here tomorrow? Nine?"
They both agree, and I hurry out the front door toward my seriously under-used Toyota. I'm eager to get inside, close the door, crank up some tunes, and drive, letting these feelings and revelations settle inside me.
Greg, however, gets to me before I have the chance.
"Hey, wait up," he calls, bounding down the front steps.
I slide my hands in my pockets as he approaches. "Did we forget something?"
"No. But I--I wanted to say I'm sorry about the other night. I didn't like the way he threw you to the wolves."
"He didn't," I promise, then wince. "I'm sorry. I told you I'd explain everything, and I've been so busy..."
"It's okay. I got it from Joy. So I know the score. But I still worry. And I swear this isn't coming from jealousy. We're friends, right?"
"Absolutely."
"I'm just afraid this is going to blow up on you. A fake engagement? That's a recipe for disaster."
"It'll be okay," I say. But the truth is, I'm worried now, too.