Page 2 of Zimyra

“Dangis right!”

“Okay, so how can I help, sis? I fight fires. I know nothing about fixing a leaky roof. Do you want me to bring a bucket over there or something?”

“You get on my nerves.”

He laughs and says, “That’s about all I can offer.”

“I already have a bucket.”

“Then you’re good for now. That’ll buy you some time to get somebody out there—a professional—not me.”

“Yeah, thanks.”

“Anytime.”

The doorbell chimes, alerting me that someone has entered the building. It’s too early for human interaction. I haven’t had my first sip of coffee, my shoes are wet, and my whole body feels clammy. Yet, I know I have to put myself in work mode – especially when I glance up to see the early bird who decided to brave the rain and force me to have an early morning start. It’s a man – a tall, fine one folding a large, black umbrella as he walks to my desk.

I say, “Uh, Zander, I’ma have to call you back.”

“Ah’ight. Later.”

I give my first potential tenant of the day my full attention – at least I think that’s who he is.

I stand up from my desk and say, “Good morning,” hoping it’s a better morning for him than it has been for me so far.

“Good morning.”

His voice is deep, and dare I say full-bodied – the kind that summons your attention. I got all of that from his simple greeting. Now that he’s closer, I can appreciate how tall he really is. And he was fine from afar. Up close and personal, he’s completely gorgeous. The hazel orbs in his face are beaming upon me something fierce. He’s well put together. It’s a rarity to see a man so strikingly handsome around these parts. Well, my brothers are, but I would never tell them that.

Struggling to maintain my professionalism, I blink out of my trance with him and say, “Are you interested in viewing a unit today?”

After he’s finished looking around the lobby, even up at the skylights, he says, “Sure. Why not?” as if that wasn’t his initial intent. If he’s not here to look at an apartment, why is he here?

“Are you looking for a studio, one bedroom, two bedroom…?”

He slides his hands into the pockets of his dark jeans. “Do the apartments have skylights like these?” he asks, looking up at the ceiling.

“Only the ones on the top floors, of course.”

He smirks. “Right.”

“Those are a little higher than the first and second levels. The model unit is one of those skylight units if you would like a tour.”

“Sure. Let’s do it.”

“Okay. Would you like some coffee?”

“It’s one of those mornings. I would love some coffee.”

“I’m with you on that.”

I walk over to the coffee station and prepare a cup for him. I say, “How do you take it?”

“Black is fine.”

I slide a brown sleeve onto the paper cup, and then hand it to him.

“Thank you,” he says, taking a sip right away.

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