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He releases a heavy exhale before grabbing the largest box from the pile and turning toward his car. With the size of his trunk and back seat, he only manages three boxes before he runs out of room.
Rather than stick around, I slip back inside, leaving him to sort out the rest of his packages, along with how the hell he plans on tackling the attic without drinking again.
It only took Cal two days after the attic incident to schedule a meeting with the appraiser. I didn’t have an option to say no, especially when Cal went out of his way to plan it around my school schedule.
Cami promised to stay upstairs in her room and play with her toys, so long as I order pizza for dinner tonight. It’s a fair price to pay for her cooperation. I’m not ready for her to ask me questions about the house, especially when there is a risk my plan might fail.
Doubts about Violet’s idea sink in, eating away at my confidence as I near the front door.
All you need to do is make it impossible for Cal to sell the house.
Easier said than done, the antagonistic voice that always speaks up at the most inconvenient times replies.
I roll my shoulders back and open the door. “Hello.”
“Hi there. I’m Mr. Thomas,” the older man introduces himself. From the horn-rimmed glasses to the suspenders, I’m not sure where Cal found this man. Based on the pinstripe suit and his black-and-white wingtip shoes, I suspect the 1920s.
Mr. Thomas shoves his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “Are you Ms. Castillo?”
“That’s me.”
He looks down at his clipboard with an arched brow. “Is Mr. Kane here?”
I haven’t seen him since he disappeared inside of the attic an hour ago.
An idea dawns on me.
I pout. “Actually Cal isn’t able to make it today, so it might be best if we reschedule.”
“Oh. Okay then. When are you thinking?”
“Does December work for you?”
He looks down at the calendar on his phone. “Of this year?”
I shake my head. “The next.”
One of Mr. Thomas’s brows raises in question. “I’m not booking that far out yet.”
“A pity then. I’ll be sure to have Cal give you a call in a year then.”
Speaking of the devil, his steps echo off the vaulted ceiling as he runs down the stairs two at a time. “Ignore her. She’s just joking.” He stops in front of Mr. Thomas and offers his hand. “Please call me Cal.”
“Nice to finally meet you.” Mr. Thomas gives Cal’s hand a good shake. “Now if you don’t mind, I’d like to get started. Given the size of the property and my tight schedule, I’d like to not rush before my next appointment.”
“No problem.” Cal shuts the door behind him and gestures toward the double staircase. “Would you like to start upstairs or down?”
“Downstairs works for me.” Mr. Thomas grabs a pen from the inside pocket of his suit.
While he scribbles something on his clipboard, Cal makes it a point to lean in and whisper in my ear, “Behave or else.” His sultry voice makes my heart jolt.
I turn to glare at him. “Or elsewhat?”
“Don’t taunt me.” He tries his damnedest to look intimidating and fails. One would think after growing up with a brother like Declan, Cal would have mastered the art of looking unapproachable by now.
I chuckle to myself, which earns another glare from Cal.
“If you don’t mind, I’m going to have a quick look around by myself.” Mr. Thomas looks over at us with a quirked brow.
