Page 25 of Mister Curb Appeal
“There’s a lot of house to get through,” I say, rubbing my hands together excitedly. “Should we get started?”
“Lead the way.” Monica tucks a dark strand of her hair behind her ear, her wrist jangling with the gold bracelets ladened all the way up her arm. They’re the expensive solid gold type, I can tell. The dark pantsuit she’s wearing and the longcharcoal trench coat over her arm scream designer. And I’m pretty sure that’s a Kelly Birkin hanging off her other arm.
I swallow and gesture for Monica to follow behind Melinda while I gather my gall.
You can do this.
It may be one of our biggest sales to date, but now isn’t the time to panic.
I didn’t have time for my meditation this morning, with being up early and having Josh on my mind from the second my eyes opened. There was no way I was ever going to be able to relax knowing he was mere meters away.
I just hope I’m not going to pay for it and fumble with Ali’s star client. I’m nervous as heck, but she seems to be in a good mood.
She’s just a person like everyone else,I tell myself. Okay, so she may have millions of dollars at her disposal, especially if she can afford this beautiful two-story home on the lake just for her vacation stay, but that shouldn’t mean she’s better than any of us.
Don’t mess this up, I recite to myself.DO NOT MESS THIS UP!
I realize my internal monologue is distracting me from Melinda and Monica, because just as we venture down the expansive hallway that could practically fit a bus down it, they both turn to look at me.
I squeeze my lips together, realizing I’ve not heard the question. Was there one?
Did someone make a joke and I missed it? Monica is as serious as she is talented, so I very much doubt she’s throwing out wisecracks for the fun of it.
Shit. Pull yourself together.I don’t know what’s gotten into me, maybe the pressure of wanting this to go well for Ali, and the fact she’s putting her trust in me.
This would be a massive commission for the firm and a big part of me wants to make Ali proud. I know she appreciates me, and she’s a very good boss, but I want to do this. Show her I can be trusted in her absence.
I went over the notes last night and studied the photos of this house online. I feel like I already know every inch of this place. And I have Melinda here for backup if I need it.
“I’m so sorry,” I say, flailing my hand. “I didn’t quite hear?—”
“The Lucas brothers,” Melinda quickly fills in the blanks. “Monica was just asking if Joshua has a brother.”
“Oh,” I laugh. She definitely hasJoshuaon the brain. “As a matter of fact, he has two younger brothers.”
Monica raises one of her perfectly shaped brows. “Now that sounds promising.”
I chuckle good naturedly. If I can take her attention away from Josh for five minutes, then I might actually feel like I’ve achieved something.
I figure what better way to get around explaining any more questions to do with the Lucas brothers by bringing the focus back to this luxurious house.
We discover the top floor first. As we take the stairs, I point out some of the features, not trying to overshadow Melinda, but I want to at least act like I know what I’m talking about in front of our client.
“I think the modernness of the interior really reflects the ethereal beauty of lakeside living. It’s almost cinematic and impossible to replicate. But the way the house nestles into the backdrop of the lake is what I like best, it makes it seem like it really belongs here,” I say. It truly is modern luxury on the inside, but a very neat lake house with weatherboards on the outside.
I love the way the owners reclaimed the dark mahogany hardwood floors and kept the original cornicing on the highceilings. Little touches of its history, laced with modern conveniences, have been carefully considered.
“The owners have put such thoughtful detail into the home,” Melinda agrees. “And you’re right, Lexi, it’s modern elegance meets lakeside charm.”
“I like the thought of being able to escape from the world,” Monica says as we round the wrap-around stairs to the top. There’s a home office plus three bedrooms and three bathrooms up here, including the grand main bedroom with an en suite, boasting an in-home style spa with Carrara marble and a cast-iron tub. It has its own views of the lake from the private balcony, leading from French doors off the bedroom. There’s literally a view from every window, even the bathtub.
The two remaining bathrooms are just as opulent as the master suite and each room has a walk-in closet.
“Escaping Hollywood could be right at your fingertips,” I say as Monica casts her eyes around the amazing master suite. She sure holds her cards to her chest, as I have no idea what she’s thinking right now. I catch my lip nervously, trying to gauge her reaction, but it’s impossible.
Shit!Does she hate it?
I thought she’d gasp when we flung the French doors open to her own beautiful view of the sprawling wilderness of Lake Haven, but she remains stoic at best. There’s a slight lip twitch, but no gasps of excitement or any indication she’s even impressed.
