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I turn off the microphone and lower to the front seat. They have other places they should be and businesses they run outside of Platinum Prestige, our elite concierge service Hunter started three years ago. The ten of us—Hunter, Harper, Charlee, Taylor, Chase, Jordan, Payton, Alex, Ryann and I—are equal partners and as they each marry off and start their lives, their husbands, Ben, Liam, Darius, and Zach have rallied around us. It’s the oddest, realest, happiest time in my life. And it’s almost perfect.
Seeing my guys happy and in love makes me wonder if I let my ambition fuel a colossal mistake. The mistake of choosing my career over my relationship. The rate of my heart slows and the ache I try to hide rears its head.
There's no point in revisiting the ghost of my past. I shake off the thought. Today is a big day for me and Parker Belle Realty.
"Ready to review the checklist?" Chase Elliott moves up to the seat behind me. She's my right-hand today, not because she works in real estate but because she organizes showcases and hosts parties for her artists.
I open my iPad, and we run through the day. She heads back to her seat while I review the specs of each of the houses on the tour—the square footage, amenities, neighborhood features, all the details that make a house a home.
I sell multi-million-dollar homes as one of the top real estate agents in the state of Texas. The bulk of my homes are in Austin, Houston, and the Dallas/Fort Worth area. The fact that I’m a month past my thirtieth birthday is evidence of how hard I’ve hustled to build my career.
The bus rolls to a stop outside Smith & Jameson International Beer Garden. It is essentially our hub until we voted to start looking for an official office for Platinum Prestige, which is at the top of my list after I get through this tour. We leased a space, but the location felt stale.
"Charlee, are you ready?" I call over my shoulder, scanning the group gathered in the parking lot. The nervous energy in my body is pulsing because it's almost showtime.
“I got you boo.”
The guys stand in unison rocking their Parker Belle shirts. Charlee kisses Darius and moves forward to take the microphone. She’s the mistress of ceremony for the tour.
“I’m jumping off to run to the restroom and gather my thoughts.” I inform them as I drop my phone in my back pocket.
"You got fifteen minutes." Chase says, and I nod checking the time.
The doors open and I sweep past the crowd as they move toward the bus. Each of the passengers paid for a ticket to join us today. I can trust my guys to collect tickets, get the people situated, and keep them entertained.
I handle my business then I stop to speak with Jazz, one of the owners. This is our first and last stop.
“You guys can join us. We have room for you.” I offer before confirming the VIP room set up and food.
“The last thing I need is Asher buying another house.” She chuckles, dropping her head. “But the way we keep having these kids, I might need to change my mind.”
I laugh. “Think about what you need and your budget. I can put together a private showing for you.”
“I’ll do that.”
I hear the chime of my phone in my back pocket. "I bet that's Chase. I gotta go. I can't be late for my own tour." We hug. "I'll see you around Happy Hour."
“We’ll be here.”
I head out to the bus, taking a moment to check my reflection in the mirrors behind the bar. I wave to Martinez, the regular bartender. Then I fluff my bun and run a finger over my gloss. I opted for my cat-eye glasses and a tailored suit over my Parker Belle tee. I'm sure I'll regret wearing these heels, but they complete my outfit.
I proudly embrace my youth and professionalism in everything I do. My phone chimes again and I pick up my pace walking to the bus. I reach for my phone when I stop dead in my tracks. The guys are in a huddle outside the bus. They turn in my direction as if sensing my presence.
“What’s going on?” I glance at my phone, seeing I have two new messages from Chase. I scan their faces. “What is it?”
Charlee opens her mouth to respond when Harper grips her forearm. Harper is the peacemaker in our group. She's the one called on to deliver sad news, bad news, difficult news. She handles conflict with ease, except for once, when she met her husband, Liam. That put her in rare form.
"We haven't even made it to the first stop, and Harper is up." I chuckle trying to relieve the tension.
“This is taking too long.”
“Charlee.” They say in unison.
"Stephanie boarded shortly after you left." Harper steps forward, and the guys block my view of the bus.
"Stephanie? Stephanie, who?" It can't be who I think it is. I haven't seen her in years.
