18. Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Eighteen

M isty

The next morning, I'm up early, determined to make some progress on the living room before Zylus and his crew arrive. I've just started stripping wallpaper when I hear a familiar voice behind me.

"You're doing it wrong."

I grit my teeth, not bothering to turn around. "Good morning to you too, Zylus. Didn't realize you'd been promoted to Wallpaper Removal Expert."

He chuckles, the sound sending an unwelcome tingle down my spine. "It doesn't require an advanced degree, but there is a technique to it. Here, let me show you."

Before I can protest, he's beside me, his arm brushing mine as he demonstrates the proper way to use the scraper.

"See? You want to get under the edge and pull at a 45-degree angle. It comes off in bigger strips that way."

I hate to admit it, but he's right. The wallpaper peels away in a satisfying sheet under his expert touch .

"Show off," I mutter, but there's no real heat behind it.

He grins, handing the scraper back to me. "Your turn, apprentice."

I mimic his movements, pleasantly surprised when a large section of wallpaper comes away cleanly. "Huh. Maybe you do know what you're talking about."

"High praise indeed," he says dryly. "I'll cherish this moment forever."

We work side by side for a while, the silence punctuated only by the sound of scraping and the occasional grunt of effort. It's almost… companionable.

"So," Zylus says eventually, his tone deceptively casual. "Have you given any more thought to our arrangement? About who's going to buy out who?"

And just like that, the fragile peace shatters.

I tighten my grip on the scraper. "I thought we weren't talking about that."

"We're not talking about a lot of things," he points out. "Doesn't mean they're not still there."

I sigh, turning to face him. "Look, Zylus. I get that this place means a lot to you. But it means a lot to me too. I've put my heart and soul into this renovation, not to mention most of my savings."

"I know that." His voice is soft. "I've seen how hard you work. How much you care."

"Then why are you so dead set on pushing me out?" I demand.

He runs a hand through his hair, frustration evident in every line of his body. "I'm not trying to push you out, Misty. I just… I can't imagine my life without this place. It's been my dream for so long."

"And what about my dreams?" I counter. "Don't they matter? "

"Of course they do," he says, taking a step toward me. "I just thought… maybe we could find a way to satisfy us both."

Satisfy? Is he sexually propositioning me? When I scrutinize his face, I realize that wasn't his intent. Raising an eyebrow, I ask, "And how exactly do you propose we do that?"

He opens his mouth to respond, then seems to think better of it. "I don't know," he admits finally. "But I'm open to suggestions."

I study him for a moment, trying to gauge his sincerity. Despite everything, I want to believe him. Want to trust that we can find a way through this mess.

"Okay," I say slowly. "How about this: we table the buyout discussion until the renovation is complete. We focus on getting this place up and running, and then… we'll reassess."

Zylus nods, a cautious hope in his eyes. "That sounds fair. And in the meantime?"

I shrug, turning back to the half-stripped wall. "In the meantime, we work. And maybe… we try to remember why we liked each other in the first place."

I hear, rather than see his smile. "I think I can manage that. Starting with teaching you the proper way to use a putty knife."

I roll my eyes, but can't quite suppress my own smile. "Oh joy. Another opportunity for you to mansplain home improvement to me."

"Hey, I don't mansplain," he protests. "I Zylus-splain. It's a much more sophisticated form of condescension."

Despite myself, I laugh. "You're impossible, you know that?"

"I prefer to think of it as charmingly persistent," he says with a wink.

And just like that, a tiny crack appears in the wall I've built around my heart. It's not forgiveness, not yet. But it might be a start .

As we return to our work, the silence between us feels different. Less oppressive, more… anticipatory. Like we're both holding our breath, waiting to see what happens next.

I steal a glance at Zylus, watching the play of muscles under his green skin as he works. He catches me looking and quirks an eyebrow, a challenge and an invitation in his gaze.

I quickly look away, focusing on the task at hand. But I can't quite shake the feeling that something has shifted between us. Whether it's for better or worse, only time will tell.

But for now, we have a house to renovate. And perhaps a relationship to rebuild.