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“I’m not going to work today,” he says, breaking me from my own errant thoughts.
My eyes watch his hands, remembering the way he touched me last night. “You’re not?”
He shakes his head, setting his cup down on the counter. “No, we need to check on your place.”
He has a point.
“Ok. I’ll just be a minute.” I head to the bathroom to get ready for the day.
My phone pings with a message from Jackie, and she wants to meet.
“I’ll need you to drop me by my parents’ place because I need my car for work,” I tell Vaughn once I’m all ready to go.
He comes down the hallway from his room, in jeans and a plain white tee. Damn, that look should be illegal to all other males but him. Because no one can, or will ever look as good as he does in it. “Ok, but right after, you’ll meet me at your place.”
It isn’t a question but more of a demand and I nod.
The Perks Place coffee shop isn’t busy when I pull into the lot. Jackie waves at me as soon as I step inside the quaint space, decked out head-to-toe in Halloween decor. Black spiders hang from fake webbing. Ghosts and ghouls hang from the ceiling. I love this time of year. I wave back, making my way to the counter to put my coffee order in first. They’re pushing the pumpkin spiced junk hard, but I just order a caramel cappuccino and make my way over to Jackie to give her a hug.
“Hey, thank you so much for meeting me,” I tell her.
Jackie is tall, super tall, with long red hair that flows in one straight unit down her back. She wears a black dress that cuts off at her knees. It’s not formal, but not not formal either.
“Of course, darling. Anything for my favorite realtor.” Jackie smiles as the barista calls my name.
I grab my coffee and then take a seat at the wrought-iron table near the door. “I’ve been so busy this week getting everything started on my house renovation that I haven’t had time to rest.” Which isn’t a lie. I have been busy thinking about Vaughn, and spending time with him and the house. It feels so good to have that thought. Vaughn and I, busily working on a house I own.
Guilt and want slam through me, making me hyper aware of the fact I feel guilty for wanting a man I can never have. Or a man who will never want me.
“How’s the new house?” Jackie asks, bringing me back to the present. “I know tons of contractors in the area.” She leans over and touches my hand. “I can get you a good deal.”
I sip my piping hot coffee. “It’s wonderful. I actually have a friend who is a contractor and owns his own company.” I told Jackie about the house I purchased briefly in an email we were throwing back and forth before we met.
Jackie’s definitely an awesome client to have.
“That’s great. I’ll have to come and have a look when it’s all done.”
I take another sip. “Absolutely. I’d love to have you out there.” And it’s not a lie, although why am I silently wishing Vaughn would be standing at my side while we showcase our house to others.
Ok, seriously, girl. Pull your shit together.
“So, tell me what plans you have? Ooh, you should videotape the renovation and post it on your website. That would get phenomenal traffic.” Jackie gives me her signature business-like smile, showcasing her perfectly straight white teeth.
“I love that idea.” Thoughts about documenting Vaughn on camera has me all giddy inside.
I put the idea on the back-burner as I slip into realtor mode, showing her a few listings of some fixer-uppers in the Denver area.
She’s interested and even asks questions, which lasts longer than I expected our meeting to last. But one thing I love about Jackie is I don’t have to go to each and every listing with her. Most times she drives by and knows if she wants to make an offer or not. So I slide the list of houses in her direction.
“I’ll let you know if any strike my fancy.” Her eyes beam as she stares at me.
“Great.”
“I look forward to watching the renovations.”
“Yes, thank you for the idea. Maybe I’ll feature you.”
She nods. “I would love that. Gotta do every little thing to get the business going, ya know?”
I smile and shake her hand. “Yes, I do.”
She winks. “You’ve already got a booming business.”
I laugh out loud. “Yeah, right. Hardly.”
Jackie brushes off these words like they’re lies. “I know you’re doing good, and now you’ve got me as a client.” She smiles wide and I laugh.
“Thank you for everything.” I shake her hand once more and leave the shop. I've got a hottie waiting for me at my place, and I can’t wait to get there.
