Smokescreen

“Babe,” Max says quietly. “What have you done?”

“Follow me.” We pull out of Sara’s arms and I lead him to the kitchen.

“First off, your kitchen is completely re-stocked and organized.” I point to the glass front cabinets that are now full of matching items. “Then I rearranged your living room and added some touches.”

He looks at the new arrangement with his TV on a far wall and the sectional facing his view of the city. The knick-knacks we bought are spread throughout the room and the wall that used to have his TV now has a full-length mirror that reflects the lighting. The guys have a game going and have settled in making the room more inviting.

Max nods and looks around taking in the new décor.

“Come on.” I link our fingers together and walk him to the new guest room. “I didn’t talk to you about this, so please don’t be upset. If you don’t like it, we can change anything you want.”

When I open the door, his hand goes tight around mine and he freezes. This room is completely transformed. The walls have been painted a cathedral grey and the trim changed to deep silver. The black furniture is contrasted with ivory bedding and a pop of color with bright blue accents. It screams masculine but at the same time inviting. Nothing resembles the Grecian décor Erica placed in here.

He stares at it blankly and my palms start to sweat. “If you don’t like it—”

“Bella.” He wraps his hands around my waist and pulls me to him, covering my mouth with his own. His kiss is soft and warm and I lose myself.

“Seriously?” Laci interrupts and Sara giggles behind her.

Max groans but pulls back and looks around the room again. “I wouldn’t change a thing. I’ve been eyeing this furniture for a while. Dana found it for me back before the Erica fiasco. How’d you get it?”

Shit! This is what I was hoping to avoid. My thoughts were he would love it so much he’d never ask.

“Stella,” he growls.

I stay quiet and look to Sara for help but she’s grinning widely.

“Well, it’s a present from me.”

“A present?”

“Yeah.”

His eyes grow dark and heated and I can tell he’s about to explode. Thankfully Mason steps in and touches his arm.

“Brother, you need to see the rest,” he says softly.

Max looks between us and motions for me to continue. I lead the way to his master bedroom and pause.

“I hated what happened to you so with the help of everyone, I was able to, hopefully, get your room right again. This time Erica can’t touch it.”

I open his door and wave my hand for him to go through. His mom’s eyes start to tear up when he stops dead center and looks around. I’ve framed all his diploma’s and business articles and hung them in his office space. His once bare walls now have paintings and family portraits. The drab room is full of color and life.

He takes in everything and his eyes finally meet mine. Emotion pouring out of them. He glances to everyone in the room and then turns his head to the ceiling blowing out a deep breath.

“Stella, come here.”

I walk to him nervously but before I can stop, he bends and picks me up, cradling me to him.

“Why? Why’d you do this?”

“I wanted you to have a home,” I say shyly repeating his words from all the weeks ago.

“You wanted me to have a home?”

“Yeah.”

“Jesus Christ, you’re the best thing that ever happened to me.” He leans down to kiss me gently and catcalls yell behind us. I break away and smile up at him.