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Soon we were back in the car and following him through the neighborhood. “Now, I asked for furnished. So, I hope we likethattoo.”
“Eh, furniture can be replaced. We just need starter stuff.” She smiled at me and I found my heart pounding over the we she used theword‘we.’
We parked at the curb and stepped out. “You’re smiling,” Inoted.
“It has great curb appeal,” Laney admitted. “Let’s see how the insideholdsup.”
I held out my arm and she hooked hers through it. We followed Jay to the door where he rattled off the house by the numbers. “Five bedroom, five and a half baths, sixty-five hundred square feet, priced at two point sixmillion.”
We wandered through the main floor of the home and Laney kept glancing at me. Finally, I stopped and questioned her. “Whatisit?”
“Where’s thefurniture?”
I’d been so busy admiring the wood work and the iron details, I hadn’t even noticed. “Hey, Jay? Where’s thefurniture?”
He took a deep breath. “Well, there’s anarearug.”
“Right…”
“And there’s a dining room set.” Hepointed.
“Okay. So, next house.” I sighed and rubbed my forehead. “Who knew house hunting could be sochallenging?”
“Well, we’re rather rushed.” Laney shrugged. “Maybe the third time’s thecharm.”
Only it wasn’t. Neither was the fourth time or the fifth time. The sixth house was nixed so quickly, I barely remembered why we objected. “I’m hungry. It’s dinner time,” Igrumbled.
“Patience, handsome. I have a good feeling about this one.” She reached out and held my hand as we walked through the courtyard to the front door of theseventhhome.
“What makes you so optimistic?” Iscowled.
“Process of elimination,” Laney joked. “Plus, one of has to remain positive.” She leaned her head on my shoulder and I melted. My seething angerdissipated.
“Okay. Let’s do this.” I stood by the door, ready for Jay to give us thestats.
“Look, you clearly don’t care about the numbers. See if you even like the place. Then we’ll talk.” He pushed the door open and waved usinside.
Laney inhaled sharply, but I could tell she was trying not to give too much away. I waited until he was out of earshot. Soon, I could see Jay on the phone, pacing on the patio. “What do youthink?”
“If the rest of the house is as nice as this, we have a winner.” She grinned. “It’s filled with books and nice neutral colors, but still feels warm andwelcoming.”
I started seeing the home through her eyes. “Lots of natural light, what little is left of itanyway.”
We finished scoping out the house in a leisurely fashion. By the time we reached the patio, we’d already decided this was the place. “The other houses are farther away. So privacy, and pools, and ping pong. No bar. The wine cellar is empty. The rooms areperfect.”
I walked over to Jay and sighed before holding out my hand. “We’ll take it. I can have the bank wire the money. And I need ittomorrow.”
14
Laney
The negotiations had been conductedon the patio. I listened while soaking my feet in the pool and admiring the scenery. They seemed to go a little somethinglikethis:
Jay: My client wants to buy your house, furnished. He’ll pay the asking price. Cash deal. Quickclose.
Seller’s agent: Howquick?
Jay: He’d like to move intomorrow.
