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Chapter 2
I paced back and forth in my apartment, staring at the contact on my phone, trying to plan what I was going to say in my head.
Hi, you may not remember me, but I completely embarrassed myself in front of you in a hardware store a year back. You looked at me like I was an idiot for buying stains for my floors. Well, anyway, could you remodel my whole house for the next few months, so I don’t completely screw it up?
That didn’t seem like the best route, maybe I’d just wing it. I took a glance in the round mirror in my entryway, looking over my flushed cheeks and wild hair. My bright yellow shirt with the phrase “Math is sexy” on it didn’t exactly make me feel any more confident.
I hyped myself up in my mirror for a second and thought, how bad could this go? Pressing the number Ashley had sent me, I listened to the ring and waited for that deep and raspy voice I knew would answer.
“This is Grant.”
Come on, June. “Hi! Um, so I inherited this house built in the twenties, and it needs a lot of work. Like a lot. Redoing floors, new HVAC system, new light fixtures, paint, the whole thing. But I, uh, can’t get anyone out there. It's not like I don’t have friends—I do. I mean, I can’t get good workers out there. Then again, who can you know? Anyway, I, um, wanted to know if you could, like, do it for me and stuff. I mean, if you’re not too busy. I’d pay.” I heard myself ramble and kept thinking, just shut up, June. He does this for a living; he knows what you’re trying to say.
“Okay…what’s your full name and address?” He dragged out his sentence like he was talking to a child—already getting off to a great start.
“Okay, yeah. So, my full name is June Eleanor Hart. You know, like the month.” I rattled off my address in between my long-winded answer. “When do you think you can come out?” I mentally patted myself on the back for not stuttering between each word. I heard a click in his throat.
“We’ll be there Saturday, eight a.m.” The line was cut off. Well, that was rude. Reminder to teach my students how to properly hang up the phone next time we’re in class. But, this was…productive. This meant I finally had something in the works. Besides, I wouldn’t have to see him that much if he worked while I was at school. I let my heart settle back down in my chest and texted Ashley.
Me: I did it. Grant and his team are coming out Saturday morning.
I placed my phone back in the pocket of my shorts and turned to look at my apartment. The living room held my gray sectional with seasonal throw pillows along with a yellow accent chair and a modern gold coffee table. I loved every chance I had to make this apartment feel as much like home as possible. I placed wood and gold accents throughout the area, reminding myself daily how Gram used to decorate our house growing up. It was hard to turn this cold, empty apartment into a comfortable, cozy space to live in, but I believe the added character in my furniture had done as much as it could. My mind wandered back to the property, thinking of each section of the house and how I wanted to place things. I drifted back to reality as I felt my phone buzz, and as I pulled it out, I saw another notification.
Ashley: Good luck, June bug. Try not to look him in the eyes. It’ll make things a lot easier.
Well, we would see about that.
∞∞∞
Saturday came quicker than I expected, and I had made sure the house was as ready as it could be. It was undoubtedly outdated and ugly, but it was scrubbed top to bottom, so at least it was orderly. Overall, I was proud of what I accomplished in such a short period.
I had my ideas printed out on copies strung together with polka dot paper clips and stacked neatly in a folder along with a large pitcher of sweet tea waiting on the counter. If I were going to deal with this surly man, I would undoubtedly make it as smooth as possible.
The doorbell rang, and I nearly jumped out of my skin. I scampered to the front door and opened it to see two men.
Grant was taking up the doorframe, and there was another man behind him who I didn’t recognize. Grant’s once long hair had been cut and was now perfectly coiffed and styled, his dark eye bags were slightly brighter, and his beard wasn’t as scruffy. He still looked rough and tired, but nothing like last time.
“Are you June?” Okay, so he doesn’t remember me… I realistically knew it shouldn’t bother me that he had no clue who I was, he didn’t even say a word to me that day in the store, and we only had a passing glance. However, I felt slightly disheartened that I was so easily forgettable. I hid my dismay and plastered on a smile. “That’s me, y’all come on in!”
The man behind Grant flashed a charming smile. “I’m Beau; nice to meet you, ma’am.” His southern accent and sweet grin gave me comfort as our eyes lingered on each other for a minute before being interrupted by someone clearing their throat.
“Are you going to show us around or what?”
I turned toward Grant, who was staring me down impolitely. It became clear Beau was the pleasant one in this duo. It would take me a while to get used to this guy. Unfortunately, Grant Dawes was undeniably attractive, and as much as I would have liked to toss him in a no thanks box and check him off, I found my eyes lingering on his chiseled cheekbones and dark hair.
“Um—yeah, just follow me.” I led Grant and Beau through the old house, showing the plans for each room.
We started in the kitchen, and I explained, “This is probably where I’d like to start with the demo. I’d love to rip out all this wallpaper and the ugly floors. I checked under a vent, and there are some old hardwoods below this, so I’d like to restore them if they’re in good condition.”
Grant stared blankly at me, and it was hard to tell what he was thinking. He had this scowl like he could see into my deepest darkest secrets, as if he knew all the dreams I’d had about him. Not that there’d been many.
“And what about the blue countertops?” Beau cut into my thoughts, and I turned toward him. “Oh, for sure, keep those.” I jokingly replied. The bright blue countertops with gold specs in them were on the list of the first things that had to go. I giggled at the thought of everything being updated but these ugly countertops. Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Grant shift his position in discomfort.
I walked them through the house, pointing out each flaw I wanted to be fixed. I mentioned everything in my folder, including paint samples and pictures of light fixtures I had printed out at work. Beau walked beside me while Grant loosely followed, meeting back in the kitchen.
Beau turned to me. “It’s a nice house; it just needs some work. I love the property, I’m sure your grandmother would be proud you’re fixing it up.”
I smiled at him. “I like to think so, and she loved it over here. As you said, it’s a good property even if the house is a disaster.” Grant clicked his throat and gestured his head to the door, suggesting they needed to leave. Beau looked at him and nodded.
