AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Tonight? Can’t it wait?”
“Not really. It’s important.”
Wolfgang leaned back, his brows arched. “What is it?”
Your mother doesn’t like me. I kicked Doc and his ghost nonsense out of my head. “I don’t think I can sell this place.”
He didn’t even blink. “Why not?”
“Well, for one thing, it’s going to take months to get all of the reconstruction plans approved by the historical committee.”
“So it takes longer than we originally planned. That’s no reason to concede defeat.”
I couldn’t think of another convincing excuse, so I tried my hand at a bit of honesty. “I don’t know that I’ll still have a job by then.”
His eyes narrowed. “What is it you’re not telling me?”
“If I don’t sell a house in the next week, I’m fired.” There. Whew! It felt so good to have that out on the table. I grabbed another baguette slice. Now if only I could be so open about my lack of hankering tonight for any flesh other than roasted poultry.
“You’re joking.”
“No. Girl Scout’s honor.” I chewed on the crusty bread for a moment. “If I don’t hand my boss an accepted offer on a house in the next week, she’s going to give my job to another Realtor.” Who also happens to be my poem-writing secret admirer. Such is the circle of my life.
“So you see …” I pointed at the last slice of baguette on the tray. “Are you going to eat that?”
Wolfgang shook his head.
I grabbed the toast and continued. “The chances of me still being a real estate agent by this winter are pretty slim.”
“Am I your only client?”
“You’re one of four.” I shoved the last bruschetta in my mouth. God, it felt great to be so honest.
“You don’t have to work for Calamity Jane Realty to sell my house, do you?”
“No, but I’ll be out of money long before that, so I’ll have to move back into my parent’s basement and mooch off them for another six months to a year until I can get back on my feet.” I frowned at the empty tray, wondering if he had more bruschetta in the kitchen. “It’s very likely I won’t even be in the area to make the sale.”
If I had to return to Mom and Dad’s, at least Addy would be out of reach of the kidnapper’s net.
Wolfgang said nothing, just sipped on his wine.
“I can recommend another agent for you.” Mona would polish this lump of coal into a regular Hope diamond.
“What if I don’t want another agent?”
“You don’t really have a choice.”
Setting his glass down, he said, “Hold that thought. I’ll be back in a second.” He grabbed the tray and pushed to his feet. “Drink your wine.”
He left me there, staring at the wine flute in front of me. I scratched my head and blew out a breath of relief. I’d done it. I’d spilled my guts. No more popping Tums because of this house and its creepy clowns. I felt like kicking off my heels and doing the Charleston. Would the table hold me?
I picked up my glass and swallowed a light, fruity sip.
By the time Wolfgang returned a couple of songs later, I’d drained every drop from my glass as well as his and needed a refill. However, my shoes were still on.
He frowned at the sight of my empty glass and lowered a tray of roasted chicken surrounded by potatoes and sprigs of rosemary to the table. “You’re supposed to sip wine, dear.”
I giggled, my head partying solo. “I chugged.”
