“Well at least in KC they’re not handing out pornographic materials on every corner.” Yes, I was shouting, Yes, I was making a scene. Yes, I was an asshole.
“That’s just on the Strip.”
“Do you think that makes it better? This place is literally Sodom and Gomorrah.”
Danessa rolled her eyes. “When was the last time you actually entered a church? I’m talking boots on the ground.”
“I attend church virtually every Sunday. Thank you very much.”
“If you hate Vegas so much then why are you here?”
“For my fucking job, duh.”
“Then just rent a condo and be done with it.”
“Done with what?”
“Annoying me,” she snapped back.
“If you’re annoyed imagine how I feel. Having to tour ugly ass houses in weird ass neighborhoods.”
Danessa didn’t like scenes. She preferred to blend in, not stand out. Her mother was good for causing chaos in unexpected places. By the way she dialed up a fake smile while sneaking glances at the others in the shop, it was clear I was taking shit too far. But the thing about me was when I got this way, I didn’t know how to stop. It was scorched earth or nothing. She dropped her voice, hoping to disarm me. “I’m basing my searches on what I know about you.”
“What do you know about me? We haven’t been in one another’s company in years. So, what you used to know or think you know no longer applies.”
“I know you’ll need several bedrooms for visits from family. I know you love the water and always said when you bought a home it would have a pool and a grotto. I know you don’t do anything without music and your place will need good acoustics and thick walls. So, unless you’ve fundamentally changed, the places I’m showing you are close if not spot on based on what you’re looking for.”
Damn she had a good memory.
“My priorities have shifted.” That was a lie, I still wanted all those things. “AndVegasis really disappointing me right now.”
“Is it Vegas, the homes, or me you’re taking issue with?”
“Maybe it’s a combination of the three.” I pinned my arms across my chest.
“Wow, one minute I think we’re making headway and the next you’re basically calling me a stranger and shitting on my hometown.”
“I mean technically I’d consider us acquaintances.”
A slow disbelieving head shake was her initial response. My stomach knotted and I could barely fill my lungs with air. I’d hurt her. My words did that. I wanted to apologize, tell her I was scared of disappointing my team, myself, and her. In so many ways I wasn’t the man she fell in love with, and her presence drove that point home.
“Wow, glad to know exactly how you feel.”
“Like you said, you’re my realtor. I’m just trying to keep shit professional.”
Once again Danessa scanned the virtually empty store in which the three other individuals tried to pretend they weren’t invested in the argument as much as Danessa and I were. “This was a bad idea,” she whispered.
“The fragrance shop?”
“No this.” She waved her hand in the space between us. “Me being your realtor.”
Heart palpitations seared my chest. “What do you mean?”
“Clearly this isn’t working for you. You hate the houses; you hate my tours of the neighborhood?—”
“No I don’t. I liked the last house. You’re reading way more into this.”
“Don’t do that. I’m not misconstruing things. I’m picking up what you’re putting down.”
