Page 26 of Convenient Rivals

“Are you okay?” asked Langdon.

“Mr Balfour,” shouted the surveyor from upstairs.

Fuck!

“Mr Balfour,” said Jason, waggling his eyebrows. “Kinky!”

Langdon snorted.

“Can you two disappear for a bit until he’s gone?”

“I just need to get changed,” said Langdon. “I’m meeting Eric in half an hour. I’ll keep out of your way, though.”

He clapped Gregory on the shoulder and gave him a smile before heading to his room. Jason had a shit-eating grin on his face, and it was clear he wasn’t going anywhere.

“Mr Balfour,” said the surveyor. This time, he was right behind them.

“Sorry, did you need me for something?” asked Gregory, trying to act calm.

Jason snorted, and was clearly fighting not to burst out laughing.

“I need something clarified about the dimensions upstairs, particularly with the office and games room.”

Gregory groaned. He thought this might come up, and luckily he was prepared.

“Be up in a second.”

The surveyor nodded and went back upstairs.

“Wow, he’s really committed to the scene, isn’t he?” said Jason, a smirk on his face. “I mean, no offence, but you could do a lot better. Perhaps someone this side of fifty. And I do like a bald guy, but you need to own it for it to be hot. Am I right?”

Gregory couldn’t help but laugh. He shook his head and walked away before Jason could ask any more questions. Hopefully, he would be in his room by the time the guy left.

He clarified the dimensions with the surveyor and showed him what he was missing. Thankfully, he’d expected this, so everything looked respectable. There were a few last questions regarding the original renovations, then Gregory walked him downstairs. There was no sign of Jason or Langdon, thankfully. He saw the surveyor to the door.

“I’ll have my report to the lender within forty-eight hours. They’ll come back to you quickly. I don’t foresee any issues with the valuation. You have a beautiful home here, Mr Balfour.”

“Thank you.”

He closed the door behind the surveyor and put his head against the door, breathing a sigh of relief.

“When were you gonna tell us?” It was Jason’s voice.

He turned to face him, not sure what reaction he was going to get, but he hadn’t been expecting a look of fear on Jason’s face.

“Langdon,” Jason shouted.

He came running out of his room, half dressed. His muscular physique reminded Gregory of Oscar – not what he should think about right now.

“What’s wrong?”

“Gregory’s selling the flat.”

“No, I’m not selling it. Just borrowing some money.”

“Why?” said Langdon. “Are you in trouble?”

“No. Nothing like that. I just need some cash for... for the business, and this asset is just sitting here. May as well let it work for me.”

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