Chapter 1
Stanley Lawson had been an architect for seven years. I was there for every step of it, from the days he was just a junior drafter to becoming the lead on major projects.
He was born colorblind, red and green blending into one another. During his busiest year, I put my own oil painting career on hold and became his personal color consultant.
One day, I casually asked, "When are you going to design a home for us?"
Without looking up from his screen, he clicked away with his mouse. "I'm swamped. Knock it off."
I nodded and never brought it up again.
Until the night he came home drunk and passed out on the couch. While hanging up his jacket, I found a sketchbook tucked inside.
Between the pages were more than a dozen design drafts. Every single one was for Faith Hall's future home.
Each sketch was carefully labeled with its measurements and materials. In the corner of every page, the same words were written:
For Faith.
Then his phone lit up. A text from Faith.
Faith: Stanley, I absolutely love your design! Once it's finished, you're the first person I'm inviting to stay over!"
I quietly set the phone down and closed my eyes. Then poured the hangover soup I'd made for him straight into the sink.
After that, I opened my laptop and submitted my resignation. Then I replied to the acceptance email from the Florence Academy of Fine Arts.
After seven years, I finally decided to stop being his eyes. To stop trailing behind him, waiting for him to turn around.
There wasn't a single color in his drawings that belonged to me. So I'd go find my own colors instead.
*****
"What are you doing up this late?" Stanley leaned against the bedroom doorframe, still half drunk, squinting at me.
I didn't answer. I rinsed the sink clean and wiped down the counter.
"I'm talking to you." His tone sharpened.
"Cleaning the kitchen."
"At midnight?"
Stanley shuffled toward the couch and dropped onto it face first. "Get me some water."
I didn't move.
After a few seconds, he opened his eyes, already annoyed. "Delia, did you hear me?"
"There's water on the coffee table."
He reached over, grabbed the glass, and took a large gulp. His face immediately twisted. "It's cold."
"Yeah."
Stanley stared at me for several seconds. Like he wanted to say something. In the end, he just scoffed and slammed the cup back down.
"What got into you today?"
I hung up the dishcloth and dried my hands. No answer.
"Fine. I'm not arguing with you." Stanley rolled over, facing the back of the couch.
"The company's heading to Mistwood Mountain tomorrow morning for a site inspection. Early start. Charge my power bank before bed."
Normally, whenever he traveled, I'd prepare everything. Chargers, medicine, water bottle. Anything he might need.
Tonight, I wasn't touching any of it.
"It's in the second drawer of your desk. Charge it yourself."
He sat up and frowned. "Seriously? It's like ten steps away."
"My hands are wet."
He clicked his tongue and stomped off toward the study.
A moment later, the phone he'd left on the marble coffee table buzzed again. The screen lit up.
Faith: Stanley, I booked the rooms for tomorrow at the mountain lodge! We're staying right next door to each other."
At that exact moment, Stanley came out of the study. His eyes landed on the screen. Then on me.
He immediately crossed the room and grabbed the phone.
"What are you looking at?"
"The screen lit up. I glanced over."
He held the phone against his chest. A flicker of discomfort crossed his face. "Faith. Remember? The client representative I mentioned before. This project belongs to her. It's work stuff."
"Okay."
"What does that mean? Why are you acting so weird?"
I didn't answer. Instead, I turned toward the bedroom.
"Delia." His voice stopped me.
I paused but didn't turn around.
"Come with me tomorrow."
That surprised me. For years, he never brought me to company events. His excuse was always the same. "It looks unprofessional."
"So why now?"
"Everyone else is bringing someone." He shrugged. "It'll look strange if I show up alone."
I almost laughed. So that was it.
Not because he wanted me there. Because everyone else would have company.
"Okay."
