Their voices grew louder as I approached, until I joined them in the foyer. Ben grinned like the cat who got the canary, and a woman dressed in a suit and heels was peering around. In the distance, Max barked. At least, I thought it was her.
“This is Vanessa Nguyen,” Ben said. “She’s a real estate agent who specializes in this area, and she’s sold a number of historic homes.”
Max barked again, and I frowned when I saw her running around in the front yard. I squeezed my eyes shut briefly, realizing she must have escaped through the fence.
“Thank you for coming, but…” I was about to politely decline her services, but my heart jolted when Max veered toward the road. Oh my god, she was going to get herself killed. “I’m sorry. Just a second.”
I dashed through the door, chasing after her as I shouted, “Max! Stop!” I ran farther. “Max!” I called again in a firmer tone as a car appeared in the distance.
I caught up to her and grabbed her by the leash. “Hey, girl. What are you doing?”
She licked my face, and I laughed despite the fact that my heart was racing. She was okay. It was going to be okay.
“Audrey,” Ben called from the porch as Ethan jogged around the corner of the house. I smiled at Ethan, and I could see the relief in his eyes. Relief and questions.
“Audrey.” Ben’s tone was more insistent this time, and Ethan’s attention jerked to him. “Vanessa thinks she has an interested buyer and wants to talk figures.”
“Vanessa?” Ethan’s attention whipped between the two of us. “As in Vanessa Nguyen?”
I opened my mouth to explain, but Vanessa peeked her head out the front door. “Ethan, is that you?”
She smiled, and an ugly frond of jealousy unfurled in my gut. Because the way she was looking at him told me she’d already slept with him or wanted to.
“Hey, Van.” He jogged up the stairs and gave her a hug that lasted a little too long for my liking. “What are you doing here?”
Max sniffed at Vanessa then ran into the house. “Hey!” Ben called after Max, glaring at Ethan when he made no move to follow his dog.
I watched on, unable to move or speak. Ben had crossed the line, but I cared less about that than the interaction between Ethan andVan, as Ethan had called her.
“I was sorry to hear about Scott,” she said, placing her hand on his arm. “I know how close you two were.”
Ethan nodded, the pain evident in his features. “Yes. It’s a huge loss, not just for me, but the community.”
“Yes, we’re all sad.” Ben’s offhand tone was grating. His callous words like a slap to the face. Was money the only thing he cared about? “But can we reschedule this little reunion? Vanessa’s here to list the house.”
Ethan turned to me, eyes flashing with anger and hurt. “Is that true?”
“That’s not—” I opened my mouth to explain, but Ben placed his hand on my lower back.
“Time to sell and move on. I’m sure once the old geezer hears how much money he stands to make, he’ll be signing on the dotted line in no time.”
I would’ve laughed at the fact that Ben had referred to Ethan as an “old geezer” were I not on the verge of tears. Everything was spiraling out of control, and I couldn’t seem to get a word in. Ben and Ethan were speaking for me.
Ethan crossed his arms over his chest, anger oozing from every pore. “When were you going to tell me?”
“I’m sure you can try to work out a deal with the new owner to lease the land for your tiny house,” Ben said imperiously and returned his attention to Vanessa.
Ethan scoffed. “I’mthe old geezer who co-owns this house. Audrey can’t sell without my signature.” He jabbed a finger into his chest.
“Let’s all—” Vanessa started to say.
Ben stepped forward, cutting her off. “You’rethe co-owner?” He glanced back at me. “He’s the one you were attempting to charm and disarm?”
“Charm and disarm?” Ethan’s attention whipped to me.
Ben placed his arm over my shoulder, and it felt as if a boulder were resting there—or possibly lodged in my throat. I wasn’t sure.
“Audrey’s known at the firm for her ability to charm and disarm clients and the opposition. She lures them in, gaining their trust before going in for the kill.” Ben pressed a kiss to the top of my head, and Ethan’s nostrils flared. What Ben said was true, but it sounded so much worse than it was.
