Page 114 of Saving Ren

The gate slides back, and relief washes over me as Gabe’s black truck pulls on to the drive. He pulls to a stop in front of where I’m standing, and I jump in.

“Hey,” I greet Gabe with a smile and lean in and give him a kiss.

“Hey. You look gorgeous.”

I look down at my outfit. I’ve gone smart casual and worn a loose-fitting cream coloured, cheesecloth maxi dress and paired it with a denim jacket and my brown cowboy boots. Rather than fight with my hair, I’ve plaited it across the back of my head, so it curves around my neck and hangs over my shoulder. It’s kind of a boho meets mountain girl look and was inspired by the ideas I’m having for the property: Beachy Boho meets Colorado Log Cabin. It’s not an official ‘style’ but one I think could work for this property, in this location.

“Thank you.” I grin big and strap myself in. “You don’t think it’s too casual?”

“Nope, you can keep those boots on for me later,” he says with a wink.

I shake my head, change my mind and nod. “I can do that. . .afterwe talk.”

“After we talk,” he agrees with a mumble. “What’s the address?” As usual, he moves the subject along. Now’s not the time to be getting into any of that with him, so I reel off the address, he types it into his Sat Nav, and we head off.

* * *

I askhim how his meetings went this morning, but other than that, I’m quiet for most of the journey. Despite the painkillers and copious amount of water I’ve consumed today, I still have a dull headache and feel a little sick, although I could put that down to nerves. Gabe obviously assumes that’s the reason for my lack of conversation.

“You’ve got this, Ren. No need to look so nervous,” Gabe says as we approach the road the house sits on.

“Thanks, I’m not nervous, but I sort of am.” I look at him and shrug as I speak.

He pulls into the sweeping in and out drive, and as soon as the property comes into view, my gut instantly tells me I was absolutely right with my concepts. My skin prickles with anticipation at seeing the inside, and it feels so good to be back doing the job that I love so very much.

“Can you stop the car please? I want to walk up and take it in.”

Gabe pulls to a stop, and when I turn to look at him to say bye, his eyes are darting all over my face as he smiles.

The Cure’s ‘Just Like Heaven’ plays quietly in the background, and when he doesn’t say anything, I start to get paranoid.

“What?” I ask quietly. “Do I have lipstick on my teeth?” I flip the visor down and check in the mirror. Gabe reaches out and takes my hand.

“There’s no lipstick anywhere it shouldn’t be, you look beautiful. I just love watching you when you switch into design mode. You change, Ren. Honestly, it’s like you become a different person, and I fucking love watching it.”

He kisses the back of my hand, then he leans in and kisses my nose, and finally my lips.

“Go work your magic, baby, I have every faith this is the beginning of bigger and better things.”

“Don’t make me cry,” I order as I slide out the cab.

“Call or text when you’re done. I’m gonna go grab a coffee from a little place I know around the corner.”

“Will do,” I say without looking back at him as I close the door behind me.

I wait for Gabe’s truck to pass me and exit the drive before I approach the timber, brick, and weatherboard double-storey house.

Standing on the steps in front of the double entryway doors, I look out at the sweeping views across Port Phillip Bay over to The You Yang’s.

“Lauren, how are you?” I turn to see Karen standing in the doorway, looking as immaculate as ever.

“Thanks for driving up here at such short notice, come in, come in.”

I follow her into a huge entryway. An exposed beamed vaulted ceiling is above me, a timber staircase to my right.

I take a deep breath in through my nose and close my eyes. A calmness settles over me as the scent of the house fills my senses. I don’t get this with a new build, but with the older places I’ve worked on, as insane as it sounds, the house talks to me, kind of telling me what it’d like me to do.

“We only picked up the keys yesterday, and it’s been empty for a while, so I apologise if it smells a little musty,” Karen interrupts my moment and explains.