Page 23 of Mister Curb Appeal
Her hair is loose in those curls I love, and she has glasses tucked into the top of her blouse. I wish I could be the arm on those glasses right this very minute. Holy hell, I’d bury my face between those beauties and..
Lexi’s voice is soft when she finally speaks. “If it’s okay, I’ll call you when we’redone? Our client could be here for five minutes, or five hours, it’s hard to say until she arrives.”
I nod. “Take your time, no rush.” I turn back to Melinda. “I best be off, that’s if the heavens haven’t opened already.”
Melinda smiles. “We are forecasted for bad weather. I hope you shut all your windows in the cabin.”
Damn it. I didn’t even think to check. “I think we’ll be back before—” I glance up. Right on cue, it starts to rain.
The girls shriek and I pull the sweater wrapped around my waist to cover Lexi’s head as she and Melinda begin to run toward the house. I don’t give a fuck about getting wet, but I know she does.
When we make it to the front doors, the girls dive inside the huge foyer.
“Oh my god!” Melinda shrieks. She has drops of water on the top of her blazer, and her hair is a little wet, but I’m glad to see my sweater kept Lexi nice and dry.
“That was insane,” Lexi agrees. She looks up at me. “Thanks, Josh, but now you’re soaking wet, too.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll live.” I run a hand through my hair, refraining from shaking the droplets on her. I glance around the expansive space and whistle low. This place is amazing. Even from the foyer I can see right through the house. The lake is right there with the most breathtaking view.
“You always were a gentleman.” Melinda smiles, then she blatantly darts her eyes toward Lexi, not hiding her amusement. She was always very perceptive, and it seems time hasn’t dulled that little skill.
“I think I need to fix my makeup,” Lexi groans.
I shake my head. “You’re perfect.” I clear my throat. “I mean, you look fine. I think my sweater caught most of the rain.”
Get the fuck out of here, idiot.
Both women are staring at me.
“Anyway, I better get out of here before your mystery client arrives and we all get into trouble,” I add. Man, oh man, I really should start day drinking. Since when have I been tongue tied around a woman? I guess Alexis Kennedy really does know how to push all my buttons. The right ones that is.
“He really is the sweetest.” Melinda sighs, shrugging her jacket off her shoulders.
I give her a lopsided grin. “You’re gonna make me blush.”
Melinda snorts. “From what I remember, it takes a lot for you to blush.”
Is it just me, or does Lexi bristle again subtly?
Wait. Does she think… that me and Melinda still have a thing? I told her we were just friends and I meant it. But her actions, and her body language, speak a different language.
“Crap!” Lexi says, snapping me out of my reverie. “Monica’s here!”
I start for the door. “I got a first name.” I give her a wink. “I knew I’d get something out of you eventually.”
Why does everything I say sound dirty?
Lexi’s eyes meet mine. “Goodbye, Joshua.”
I salute them both. “Good luck.” I let myself out, dashing out of the house and down the drive. I almost bowl over the woman with the umbrella coming my way. Our eyes meet for a moment as I pass. I tip my head, giving her my best shit-eating grin. She doesn’t smile back, well, her lips quirk in an almost-smile, so I guess that counts.
Monica Chase?
Oh, holy fuck.
If my girl can pull off this sale, it’ll make headlines. Monica Chase has just been cast in a blockbuster movie as the lead actress. It’ll be all over the news if she buys a property in Lake Haven.
If anyone can pull off a deal on a dreary, shitty day like today, it’s Lexi. I’m counting down the minutes until I see her again because this woman has me running around like a fucking lap dog, and I don’t mind one little bit.
