“No, I don’t. People think they want modern without understanding what that means. Usually they just want new finishes. But this couple wantedmodern.”
“I’m really excited to show it to them.”
They finished up and looked around for Helena, who had fallen asleep in the super cool black leather chair Nolan had found at a furniture store in SoHo. The chair actually looked really uncomfortable, but at least Nolan could tell Peter and Justin that it was producer approved.
“Hey, Helena, wake up!”
She startled awake. “Oh. What?”
“We’re done. You can go back to the city and sleep in your own bed now.”
She grinned and let Nolan help her up. “This place is marvelous. I think the viewers will like the departure from the kinds of designs you usually do.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. Lordy, do you know how many neutral houses I’ve seen lately, with medium wood tones and white kitchens and farmhouse sinks and the same beige sofa? Not to mention the godforsaken shiplap.”
“I kind of hate shiplap,” said Nolan.
“That’s why I like you.”
Nolan laughed and held out his arm to escort her out. Grayson was already standing next to the car when they walked outside, so Nolan hit the remote start and Grayson climbed into the car.
“I hope you know what you’re doing there,” she said, nodding toward Nolan’s car.
“Me too.”
“I like him a lot. He’s a good foil for you. I guess it makes sense that you’d… agree.”
Nolan laughed. “Well, yeah. I didn’t expect it. I mean, he’s so much younger than I am.”
“What are you going to do when the baby comes?”
“That remains to be seen. We’ve talked and Gray swears he plans to stick around, but I’ll believe that if it happens.”
“Yeah. Hard to impose fatherhood on a twenty-five-year-old, especially when he had no part in the, er, biological process.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
“Well, good luck with that. Don’t ruin my show. I like the two of you together on screen. I’d hate to have to find you a new costar next season.”
“If we even get another season.”
“Oh, we will. This show is the kind of thing Restoration viewers love. Two cute gay guys decorating houses for families in need? Yeah, you’ll get renewed.”
Nolan gave Helena a hug and then walked to the car. Grayson was fiddling with the radio when Nolan got in. “You good?” Nolan asked.
“Yeah, just tired. What did Helena have to say?”
“She thinks we’ll get renewed, so she warned me not to fuck things up with you and ruin the second season. But she said it nicer.”
Grayson scoffed. “I guess that’s as good a reason as any to stay together.”
GRAYSON WASwrithing on the bed as Nolan nipped at his neck and was getting ready to reach for the nightstand drawer when Nolan’s phone rang.
“Don’t stop, Nolan,” Grayson growled, shoving his hips against Nolan’s.
“I gotta at least see who’s calling or it will distract me,” said Nolan, pushing away from Grayson and reaching for his phone. “People only call in the middle of the night for emergencies.”
