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But even as he said the words, they felt oddly hollow. Until meeting Kimmie, the highlight of his week had been hanging out with a bunch of neighbors on the rooftop once a week. Maybe lunch with some friends. But the rest of it was work, work, work.
What if that wasn’t enough anymore?
6
Kimmie didn’t expect to hear from Jesse until she found a place to show him. She was actually starting to wonder if she’d ever be able to find something that fit his very narrow set of specifications. She’d thrown herself into her other work, following up on a couple of leads and preparing to put a Green Hills condo on the market.
So Friday afternoon, when the text came through from Jesse, she wasn’t sure what to make of it. She actually stared at the screen for a while, reading far too much into the two words.
Plans tonight?
It wasn’t a date. No way was it a date. He probably had a property he wanted to see.
Brightened by that prospect, Kimmie picked up her phone and typed a response.I’m free.
Did that make her sound loser-ish? Free on a Friday night? Truth was, she could have plans if she wanted, but she usually saved her night out for Saturday since that day was packed with showings and open houses. That way, going out felt like more of a celebration after a long week of work. That was the plan, anyway. Lately, though, Saturdays meant trying to find new clients at various home shows and conventions, to no avail.
Her phone rang. She was sitting at her desk in the office, alone, looking at listings for a potential new client. Jesse’s name was on the screen. Her heart rate kicked into double-time at the sight.
“Kimmie Hart,” she said into the phone in her best professional voice.
“I thought calling you might make this go faster.”
“Good move.” She smiled. When she realized she was smiling, she forced herself to a more neutral expression even though he couldn’t see her right now. “Just finishing up here at work.”
She closed her laptop lid and sat back in her chair. Her plan had been to cut out of here soon and head home. She’d relax with some takeout and a show she’d been binge-watching. She was actually looking forward to it. Only the possibility of spending time with Jesse would pull her away from that.
Well, that and the prospect of a big commission.
But as soon as Jesse spoke again, Kimmie knew she was fooling herself. The sudden surge of energy coursing through her body had nothing to do with her job. She wanted to see Jesse Fulton again.
“Good because I’m pulling into your parking lot right now.”
It took Kimmie a second to register the words she’d just heard through her cellphone. Jesse was pulling into the parking lot. Her work parking lot. Now.
“You keep sneaking up on me like that,” she said, reaching into her purse for her compact. She needed to check her appearance quickly before seeing him again. Only when she verified she didn’t look atrocious would she even think about packing up her belongings and heading outside.
Her makeup wasn’t exactly fresh, but Kimmie set her phone down, put it on speaker, and quickly dabbed powder onto her nose. She refreshed her lipstick and grabbed her water bottle to toss into the recycle bin across the room. It went right in.
“Come on out when you’re ready,” he said. “No hurry.”
Like she’d keep him waiting. But as she packed up her laptop bag and grabbed her purse, she saw a vehicle pull up in front of the building. It wasn’t the fancy Bugatti whatever he’d driven before. It was a limo.
A limousine.
Seriously? Was this guy for real?
Kimmie froze, then looked down at her outfit. She was dressed for work, but suddenly the pantsuit didn’t seem quite…enough. In her world, you rode in limousines when you were in formal attire—like on the way to senior prom or your wedding.
Only, as she walked around the desk and headed toward the door, her legs were a little wobbly. She was actually nervous about seeing him again. When was the last time a man had made her nervous? She couldn’t remember. She was pretty sure she hadn’t felt this sort of fluttery anxiety in her stomach since her high school crush asked her on a date.
The passenger side of the limo faced the building. As Kimmie approached, the back door opened, and Jesse stepped out. Wasn’t the driver supposed to do that? Kimmie didn’t have time to really think it through. The sight of Jesse had her remembering just how handsome he was.
He nodded, a half-smile on his face. “Hi.”
“Hi.”
Why did she feel shy all of a sudden? He gestured toward the door in invitation, and she stepped in, taking a moment to look at how spacious this back area was. She’d taken a stretch limousine to senior prom, but she and her then-boyfriend had shared the cost with eight other couples, so it had been even bigger. Even though this limo was smaller, there was something about having it to themselves that felt much more luxurious.
