Page 17 of Harmony Island Gazette
“Listen, Barbara. This is an amazing deal. I would suggest you take it. The housing market can be a volatile one, and in the regular market, you won’t get near this much.” He leaned forward, his lips tipped up into a smile. “The Proctors are offering top dollar because they are making an investment. If you sell on the open market, a regular buyer won’t be able to pay as much.”
Ms. McDonnell was studying him as he spoke. I could see her expression soften as Asher spoke. $1.3 million was quite a lot. If Asher thought it was a good deal, she should trust him even if I didn’t trust Mr. Proctor.
I watched with my pen poised above my notepad to continue writing. It was as if the whole room was holding their collective breath to see what she was going to say. Ms. McDonnell dropped her gaze to the table and paused before she slowly started to nod.
“Okay,” she whispered. “I’ll sell.”
The entire room erupted into celebration as the suits standing behind Mr. Proctor began talking. Briefcases were opened and papers were shuffled as the men surrounded Ms. McDonnell. I kept my gaze on Mr. Proctor, whose smile gave me an uneasy feeling in my stomach. He was speaking to a man next to him before he turned to Asher and spoke in a hushed tone.
I wished I could get closer to hear what he was saying, but that would look weird and, after my conversation with Asher last night, I didn’t want him to think I wasn’t being a supportive friend. If he was going to get a piece of the $1.3 million pie, I didn’t want to be the negative Nelly standing in the way of his celebration.
“I think that’s it,” I said as I gathered my items and shoved them back into my purse. I wasn’t sure exactly what I was going to write a whole article about, and I had a sinking suspicion that Gloria was going to help me write it with a heavy hand.
I grabbed my phone from my purse as I stood. I needed to grab a few photos for the article before I left. I waved for Elizabeth to wait as I rounded the table and moved my phone around for a good shot of Ms. McDonnell signing the papers that were being laid in front of her one by one.
She looked overwhelmed as she scribbled her signature on each form. After a few shots, I stuffed my phone back into my purse and turned. I yelped when I saw Asher standing next to me with the widest smile I’d ever seen. He wiggled his eyebrows before he quickly glanced around to make sure no one saw what he’d just done.
“Are you working tonight?” he asked as I stepped around him. He followed a few inches behind me so only I could hear his voice.
“Probably,” I said as I nodded to Elizabeth as I walked by her. She understood my gesture and followed behind Asher.
“Well, can you get out of it?” he asked as we left the dining room and entered the hallway.
“Asher, where are you going?” Mr. Proctor’s voice boomed over the other conversations.
“Be right back, Marcus.” Asher popped back into the middle of the doorway and nodded toward Mr. Proctor, who seemed okay with his response and returned to talking to the balding man next to him.
I couldn’t shake the feeling in my stomach that something was off. And as much as I wanted to hang out with my friend, I knew he wanted to talk about this deal and he was going to want me to share in his excitement.
I just wasn’t ready for that.
“I’ll have to see what Gloria wants. She’s in a mood today, and I doubt she’ll want me to bail on her.” I forced a smile. “I’ll text you, though.”
He was staring down at me. His gaze was conflicted. I knew he wanted a solid answer—and for that answer to be yes—but I wasn’t ready to give it to him. I needed some time to process, and I couldn’t do that with his smiling face in front of mine all evening.
“Yeah, okay. I get it.” He turned to Elizabeth. “Make sure she at leasttriesto take the evening off,” he said as he pointed his finger directly at her.
Elizabeth gave him a mock salute. That seemed to appease Asher as he turned back to me and narrowed his eyes for a moment before he pulled me into a hug. “I’m glad you’re in Harmony.” He held me for a moment and then broke away.
“Me too,” I whispered, but he was already heading back into the dining room by the time I got the words out.
It took me a moment to get my bearings and turn to Elizabeth. She was scrolling on her phone, so I bumped her shoulder with mine and said, “Let’s go.” She tucked her phone into her back pocket and nodded. She followed me out of the house and over to my car.
We drove in silence. When we were a few minutes from the newspaper, she spoke. “I can cover for you if you want,” she said, glancing over at me and giving me a shy smile. “I don’t know what the story is between you and that guy, but he really seems to like you.”
I scoffed. “Asher?”
She nodded.
“Asher’s just my friend.” I shook my head as I paused before taking a left turn. “He’s always just been my friend.”
I glanced over at Elizabeth when she didn’t respond. I had this desire to keep going, but I knew from experience overexplaining always raised suspicions.
It wasn’t until I’d parked behind the newspaper that Elizabeth decided to respond. She opened the door and turned to smile at me. “If you say so,” she said before she climbed out and shut the door behind her.
I was left sputtering, attempting to refute her words, but it was too late. I watched her walk away from my car, across the parking lot, and disappear into the building, the door swinging shut behind her.
7
