“Do you own the building?” she asks, tilting her head back to study me.
I’m not expecting that question, but I feel good about how I answer. “I’ve been asked to find someone to finish it. From what I understand, Rusty was supposed to handle it.”
She snorts. “You’re lucky he didn’t blow the place up instead of remodeling it.”
“That tracks with what I’ve seen so far.”
“I’m not your cheapest option,” she says bluntly.
“At this point, the priority is getting it done and done right.”
She studies me for a moment. “And you trust me to do that?”
“I’ve learned there are few reliable options in town,” I say. “Do you have time before The Season starts?”
She lets out another quick laugh. “You want it done in a matter of days? Good luck. There are, what? Eleven units left?”
I’m surprised she knows that much. “Ten and a half, and one finished one that needs some updates as well.”
“Best I can do is half by the end of summer.”
“Okay. And the rest?”
“That depends on how quickly you pay. If I’m not waiting months on suppliers, things move a lot faster.”
There’s a pause.
“Payment won’t be an issue.”
Her eyes narrow slightly, assessing. “When do you want me to start?”
“Tomorrow, if possible.”
She sighs, as if this isn’t a big deal to her, and yet, she’s lightly bouncing on her feet. “Eight a.m. I’ll bring the paperwork.”
“What kind of paperwork?”
“The kind that keeps me from getting sued. We’ve learned that lesson already.” She frowns, and I can tell there’s a story there.
I almost smile. “Sounds good.”
She gives a curt nod and then shuts the door.
Yeah. This is going to be interesting.
12
AVERY
“Cora, the pipes under the sink are leaking again,” I say on the phone Sunday evening.
“Have you called a plumber?” my sister asks.
I pinch the bridge of my nose with my thumb and forefinger, hoping the pressure will lessen the spread of a headache. The stress of the lower sales for the coffee shop and the dysfunctional apartment we live in is on a daily increase.
As grateful as I am for a discounted apartment, it would be nice if the problems stayed downstairs with the coffee shop and the customers. By the time night rolls around, I don’t have the energy to deal with this.
“Yeah, but they’re a few days out. Overall, I love Penrose Beach, but I don’t love how slow things are right now.”
