“Ava Harper? Here’s the key to your room. It’s 207, just up the stairs.” The woman handed over the credit card-shaped key with a smile. “Welcome to the Grand Sullivan Hotel.”
The lobby swept upward in a two-story atrium. Lined with gorgeous wainscoting and, high above, detailed crown molding.
Ava turned to Mia. “I’ll just run my things up to my room and then we can go again.” Giving her luggage a tug, she headed for the grand staircase. Her feet sank into the dramatic carpet. Everything smelled new.
She hurried to her room and tucked her bag inside without stopping to look around. A few moments later, she rejoined Mia. “I’m ready, but I’m definitely taking time to explore later. This place is fantastic.”
“They’re doing great work restoring everything.” Mia waved a hand at the furnishings. “They wanted to keep the Dorothy Draper style as much as possible. You can see it in the vivid colors and elegant lines. Dani and Liam really wanted to keep the classic look but update some things to be more modern.”
“It’s working.” Her canvas shoes squeaked on the black-and-white tile as she followed Mia back to the front door. “Is there a restaurant here?”
“They’re setting one up, but it isn’t open for service yet.” Mia held open the door, and the brilliant sunshine flowed in. “We can kind of take a shortcut through the lawn to Zinnia Boulevard from here, if you’re up for it.”
Ava’s heart lifted. “I’m game. Lead the way.”
“There are some beautiful gardens the other direction.” Mia led her off the sweeping veranda and around the corner of the hotel. “We won’t see much of that from this angle, but you should definitely check them out.”
They walked through the grounds of the Grand, thick, green grass underfoot. On one side of the huge lawn, a row of canopy tents, open on three sides, flapped in the light breeze. In one large, pavilion-style tent, Ava glimpsed some portable stoves and white tables. The setup reminded her of that British baking show that was popular. Must be where the cooking competitions would take place. Passing a line of trees, they stepped onto a road.
“This is Jonathon Boulevard. The house I want to show you on Zinnia is just a little farther.” Mia walked up the road.
Much like for the Grand Hotel, Ava vowed to do some exploring later. There was so much to take in. A hint of lilac hung in the air.
As they turned right onto Zinnia Lane, Ava’s house waited a block or so down, a small bungalow, front door flanked with low bushes, white picket fence gleaming in the sun. Her heart began pounding in her ears. She snapped a photo and sent it to her parents.
Ava
This might be home. What do you think?
She waited a moment but didn’t get a response. Thumbing in Emily’s number, she sent her the same photo. At least her friend would be in her corner.
Her phone buzzed. Yep. Emily.
Emily
Looks just like the photos online. Go get ’em!
Mia shot her a look and then grinned. “Excited?”
Not trusting herself to speak, Ava just nodded.
A few steps later, they were there. Mia unlocked the front door and stepped back. “I’ll let you look around by yourself a few minutes.” She held up her cell phone. “I need to check in with my mom and kids anyway.”
Ava walked into the front room of the house. She blinked away a sudden pricking in her eyes. This home could be hers. Sure, the dated house wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but she loved it. The interior of the house looked just like the pictures, right down to the Pepto-Bismol-pink bathroom. She checked every nook and cranny, opening cupboard doors and peeking into the closets.
“Hello!” Mia’s voice came from somewhere near the front door.
Ava walked out of the kitchen to find her. “My cheeks hurt from smiling. How soon can I put an offer down?”
Mia’s face grew serious.
“What? Don’t tell me you’ve already sold it. What changed in the past ten minutes?” She swallowed against a sudden tightening in her throat.
“I had a message on voicemail that there are several interested parties. There aren’t usually too many houses in this price range on island, so this one is in high demand.” Miaclasped her hands in front of her. “Is there any way you can put down a bigger offer?”
For her dream home? She’d scrimp all she could. She named a slightly higher number than what they’d already talked about. Her savings and the inheritance from her grandfather wouldn’t stretch far. “I’m afraid that’s all the higher I can afford to go.” She bit at her cuticle.
“Hmm. I’ll see if they’re able to negotiate. But in the meantime, it might help for you to write a letter to the owners explaining why you want this house.” Mia held out a brochure with the house photos and other specs on it. “Sometimes those things help. Even when the offer isn’t as high as they’re looking for.”
