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"You mean like the president?"
"No. The actors."
"Oh." He probably means Stacey and Harold Nixon, a star couple turned philanthropists. "Everyone in real estate knows them. Don't they buy a new house every year?"
"Yup, and they're looking to buy a new condo in Hollywood Hills. Just got the call from Harry himself. He seems super interested."
"Oh, that's good," I say still not sure why he's calling me.
"These are VIP clients. I want you to handle it.’
My heart leaps in my chest. "For real?”
“Yeah. You think you’re up for it?”
“Are you kidding?" I’ve been waiting for a house like this for ages now. A client like the Nixons is a dream because, if they like you, it means consistent high-ticket commissions at least once a year. Not to mention what that would mean for my portfolio. Plus, they tend to buy in the billions which could edge me into the high six-figure bracket. That was unthinkable for someone like me years ago and I never thought I would get an opportunity like this. And the fact that it's Maddox giving it to me makes it doubly unbelievable. “You’re not just pulling my leg, are you? This isn’t a joke where I’m going to find the rug pulled out from under me later?”
“No,” he sounds amused. “That sounds unusually cruel. And currently, I think you’re the best one for the job. Especially since you're the only one currently who's outperforming last year's numbers."
"I wasn't here last year," I point out.
"Exactly."
It's not exactly a compliment but my chest blooms with warmth anyway. “Thanks.”
"You’re welcome. Oh, and Ava?”
“Yeah?”
“This is a big deal. It’s your one chance to level up here. Don’t screw up. I’ve literally handed this to you on a platter and if you fuck this up, you’re out. Understood?” His tone is harsh but it doesn’t bother me. I’m expecting it. He doesn’t fuck around with his business and I know that this is truly the make-or-break moment for me,
I swallow, feeling intimidated by the pressure. “Yes, sir.”
“Mmm. I like it when you call me sir. Maybe you should do that more often.”
I roll my eyes. “Okay, I’m going to get ready now.”
I hang up before he can say anything else.
After that, I put everything else on pause, get on the computer and do as much research as humanly possible on the celebrity couple.
Maddox texts me that Nixon's PA wants to meet with me at four o'clock today, along with the address. I text back an affirmative and open my calendar to pencil in a meeting. Only then do I realize my mistake.
Today is Thursday. It’s the day of Mimi’s spelling bee.
I hesitate for a few minutes, regret crashing through me. But I know I don’t have a choice.
I’ll have to miss the spelling bee. And I feel like a piece of shit for it but it doesn’t matter. This is all for Mimi at the end of the day
I call home and arrange for Sasha to take Mimi home after the bee, feeling a little heartsick at the thought. Still, I resolve to give my daughter my undivided time this weekend. Maybe we can even take a day trip to Disneyland or something. Or those NASA tours she's been wanting to go on for some time. If I win the commission, I can more than afford it.
As three-thirty approaches, I take a deep breath and shut everything down, readying myself for the meeting. I ask Maddox to send over the PA's name and number. Upon receiving the information, I text him that I'm on my way. Taylor, the PA shoots back an affirmative almost immediately, which is a very good thing. It means they're as eager to buy a house as I am to sell it. This shouldn't be hard, then. Before I leave, I head to the bathroom to freshen up hearing voices emerge as I approach.
“Did you see what she wore today?"
"The red suit?"
"Yes. A redhead wearing red just might be the tackiest combination I’ve ever heard.”
