Page 24 of Mister Curb Appeal
Chapter Twelve
LEXI
“Well, I may not have seen Joshua Lucas in a while, but he still makes a woman’s heart accelerate.” Melinda fans herself with one manicured hand.
I feel the dread working its way up my body from the pit of my stomach. Melinda is even more beautiful in real life. Plus, she’s funny, sweet and genuinely nice. For some reason, I thought she might be a little stuck up, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
“He’s certainly easy on the eyes,” I agree. “But he’s right, we’re strictly professional.”
I don’t miss the look she gives me. “Uh, girlfriend? I hate to break it to you, but that man out there has the hots for you.”
I almost choke on my own saliva. “W-what? Don’t you guys still have a thing?”I mean, you did grab his tie in a kind of provocative way.Plus, they both shared a couple of moments that made me want to claw the lovely Melinda’s eyes out, bless her.
She stares at me blankly, then bursts out laughing. “A thing? Oh, you mean a ‘friends with benefits’ situation?” She shakes her head. “Nope. Not even close. That would be weird since I’mengaged.” She flashes a massive diamond in front of me and I feel just a little bit better. Relief floods through me.
“Oh, congratulations.”
She beams. “Thanks. I haven’t had the chance to tell Joshua yet, but he knows Peter and we’re very happy. The truth is, Josh and I were always better as friends.”
“He speaks very highly of you,” I say. “I just thought maybe you were still, well, a little more than friends.”
“I can tell you for a fact that Josh is a one woman at a time kinda guy. He wouldn’t be making eyes at anyone else if he really likes you, especially his ex.”
I feel myself flush. “Oh, he doesn't like me like that?—”
“Why do you think that?”
“He’s a professional. We both are. We work for opposite firms in LA.”
She gapes at me. Leaning in closer, she whispers, “Honey? He was making eyes at you right in front of me. And he palmed the back of his neck. He does that when he’s nervous, and I think you make him very nervous.”
“Me?” I squeak.
She laughs. “Why not you? You’re gorgeous, and very personable. Ali talks incessantly about you. Whenever we’ve spoken on the phone, you’re always polite, sincere, and funny. I can see why he likes you.”
I don’t know where to hide my face, but I don’t even have time to answer because a few seconds later, Monica Chase bursts through the front door, shaking her umbrella as she cusses at the rain under her breath.
“Nobody told me about the hot pepperoni,” she gripes. “Where do I find a man like that in LA?” She thumbs behind her and it takes a second to realize she’s talking about Josh.
“Oh,” is all I can manage. I don’t quite know what to say to that. “Hey, Monica, so nice to see you again. That hot pepperoni is, uh, a friend of mine. He was just giving me a ride?—”
“I’d like to give him a ride,” she mumbles. “I don’t have friends who look likethat. Is he single?”
Oh, no. Monica Chase could have any guy she wanted, including my Joshie.
My Joshie?Oh boy, I really have lost my marbles.
“He’s not, unfortunately.” Melinda smiles, dazzling the two of us and gives me a little wink when Monica slides her trench coat off. I press my lips together. “Hello, I’m Melinda Malone from Lake Haven Realty.”
Monica shakes her hand. “Good to meet you.”
“Likewise. I wish we could have put on a better day weather wise for you.”
“You can’t win them all.” Monica shrugs. “I guess that’s all part of the charm with being in the country, right?”
“Something like that,” I muse. “I’m hoping it will let up soon.” I know from what Joshua said earlier that it’s not a probability, but I like to always put my best foot forward and air on the side of positivity.
“There’s a beautiful view of the lake from the back porch.” Melinda’s dazzling smile could light up any dreary day, so could that massive rock on her left hand that sparkles, even in the dull light of this gloomy afternoon. Maybe I’m just glad she’s engaged and not after Josh. “I’d love to show it to you, but maybe we’ll save it for last, until the rain stops at least.”
