Addison scratched her head as she tried to decipher Evelyn’s message, but when Joanna emerged from the kitchen, Evelyn was no longer on Addison’s mind. “Hi there,” she said, watching as Joanna walked toward her.

“Hi there, yourself,” Joanna said as she stopped a few inches from Addison. Slipping her hand behind Addison’s neck, Joanna pulled Addison’s lips toward hers.

The kiss was warm and sweet, a gentle hello to start their evening, and both sighed in unison as their familiar flavors merged. One minute passed and then another before they finally separated and gazed into each other’s eyes.

“I missed you,” Joanna whispered.

“I missed you, too.”

“Yeah?”

“Yes,” Addison said in a breath. “It’s becoming a habit.”

“I hope that’s not a bad thing.”

“Not at all.”

“Good trip?”

“Too long. Someone made me stay away for two days longer than I had planned.”

“That’s only because you said you didn’t want to be disturbed by workmen, and five days wasn’t enough time.”

Addison looked toward the second floor. “So, is it done?”

Joanna’s face creased into a smile, and grabbing Addison’s hand, she pulled her toward the stairs. “Come on. Take a look for yourself.”

Addison followed Joanna, all the while enjoying the view of her wife’s hips, wrapped in tight denim, swaying in front of her.

When they reached the master suite, Joanna spun around. “Promise me if you don’t like it, you’ll tell me.”

“I’m sure it’s fine,” Addison said, reaching for the door knob.

“Promise,” Joanna said, placing her hand on Addison’s.

“I promise,” Addison said with a grin. “Now...can I see it?”

Joanna nodded, and holding her breath, watched as Addison opened the doors.

After what Joanna had done to the patio, Addison had prepared herself for changes that wouldn’t be subtle, but nothing could have prepared her for the transformation in front of her. She cautiously walked into the room, her eyes darting back and forth as she tried to take in everything.

The bedroom was now awash in light, but a lamp had yet to be lit. The heavy brocade curtains across the far wall had been replaced with embroidered damask. In the shades of sand, dusty blue, and cream, they were held back by tasseled cords, revealing sheers matching the alabaster Joanna had chosen for three of the walls. Once lost in the gloom, the cast iron firebox was now framed by a surround of marble, and the sculpted white stone with its black veins contrasted perfectly against a wall now painted steel-blue.