She shook her head, and he could see in her eyes that she meant it. Brushing her fingers through his hair, she looked like she was gathering her words.
“I’ve been fighting this since the minute I saw you on the beach. I told myself it wouldn’t happen but I think it was inevitable. I don’t know where we’ll go from here and that in itself is different for me. I always need to know where things are going. Where I’m going. But with you, needing those things comes second to how much I need you.” She took a deep breath. “And that scares me.”
Noah shifted, moving so he was sitting with his back against her padded headboard. He put his arm around her, tucking her into his side. She rested her head on his arm so they could keep looking at each other.
“I’ll never lie to you. I’ll never intentionally hurt you. I tried to fight it, too, but it’s too big.”
She snickered.
“Jesus,” he groaned.
She covered her mouth with her hand. “Sorry. Continue.”
He pressed a kiss to the bridge of her nose. “You’re adorable. I don’t know how I ever thought I could fight what I feel for you. I’m going to ask Chris to cut your checks through our corporation, though, to put a little separation between the professional and personal. But even if I couldn’t do that, I wouldn’t take this back. I’m better at contract language than professing feelings but you’re like my house, Gracie. Or this one for you. I can’t walk away. The pull is too strong. I feel like I’m finally figuring out who I am right here in this place, with you by my side.”
She sucked in a sharp breath, moved over him, her hands on either side of his face. “You must be really good at contract language. If you can take a leap, so can I.”
His body heated with the intensity of her gaze. “There’s something special between us. There’re so many great things coming up for both of us. Let’s jump. We’ll see where we land.”
He had a strong suspicion that his heart was going to land firmly in her hands. Which didn’t scare him nearly as much as he thought it would.
29
HH
HOME ANDHEART MAGAZINE
It’s what’s inside that counts
New LA Designer Joins Forces with New York Real Estate Developer on an Old Project
Story and Interview by Emily Swanson
Photographs by Jack Stein
HOW AHOUSEBECOMES AHOME;PART 1 OF 3
Regardless of how many times I’ve done these interviews, how many celebrity homes I’ve been invited into, how many amazing renovations I’ve had the good fortune to witness, every experience feels brand-new and unique. Every once in a while, there’s an opportunity to do something with a twist. This twist? Hotshot East Coast real estate developer Noah Jansen is putting down roots in a little beach town south of LA. Helping him turn his house into ahome is a new-to-the-scene designer, Grace Travis, who lives next door. I mean,the designer next door? I can’t even make that stuff up. If this isn’t reality show material, I don’t know what is. Speaking of which, check out our website for behind-the-scenes footage of these two working together on a variety of projects.
Now kick back in your favorite accent chair, because this is the first of a series of interviews and stories about an amazing journey full of heart, hard work, and happy endings.
Emily Swanson (ES):I have so many questions, I almost don’t know where to start. Describe yourselves in three words each.
Grace Travis (GT):Motivated. Determined. Resourceful.
Noah Jansen (NJ):Driven. Successful. Confident.
ES:How did you two meet?
(Designer and client exchange an interesting glance I want to read into.)
NJ:Grace moved in next door. I offered to buy her house.
GT:(laughs) About a half dozen times. He wanted to put in a pool.
ES:I take it the answer was no. Something Noah probably isn’t used to hearing. Tell us about your background, Grace.
GT:I’m finishing up my interior design degree at California Polytechnic. I’ve always been interested in design. This is my first professional gig but I’ve planned some significant projects through school.
