Page 31 of Mister Curb Appeal
“We’ll be okay, the cabin is high on the hill, and I think the chances of a landslide are slim.”
Another loud crack of thunder deafens us and Lexi jumps. I start the car and pull out onto the street. We need to head back.
“I shouldn’t have left Mr. Snuggles,” she starts. “But the paperwork took a little longer than expected.”
“He’s fine,” I tell her. I should probably tell her about my earlier debacle, thinking I’d lost the little fella, but I’m not sureif that’s wise. “Wait — paperwork? Don’t tell me she actually bought the place?”
Lexi, still drying herself off, beams like I’ve never seen her. “She loved it, Joshie! Ali will be so thrilled. At first, I wasn’t sure, she’s a really hard woman to read, but she put in an offer over asking. We settle in seven days.”
“I’m so happy for you. Congratulations! I’m glad the rain didn’t put her off.”
“On the contrary, I think it helped. You should’ve seen the lightning cracking right over the lake, it was magical.”
“It’s a special place,” I agree.
Why do I suddenly get a flash of me, Lexi and our children in Lake Haven, running around the cabin? A new puppy chasing Mr. Snuggles as we laugh and enjoy the last of the summer sunshine.
Holy fuck. Get a grip!
I’ve never had an inkling to think about kids, much less want them, but somehow I can see it in my future. With her. With the woman who is slowly stealing my heart.
“I think we should celebrate.”
“I would offer to take you to dinner, but those reservations will need to be postponed. I did, however, grab a bottle of bubbles.” When I turn onto Main Street, it’s almost deserted, which only leads me to believe that I need to get back. I also don’t want to drive like a maniac when it’s wet. That’s how accidents happen, and I’ve got precious cargo in the truck.
“So you knew I was going to sell the house, or was it for the commiserations that would inevitably follow if I didn’t?”
“Oh, I had no doubt you’d pull it off,” I say. “In all honesty, you had it in the bag. The house is magical, and I only saw it from the front.”
“Monica Chase thinks you’re hot,” she blurts.
“Hey, I thought I wasn’t supposed to know who your client was?”
She gives me an eye roll. “You certainly made your presence known in that short space of time.”
“Jealous?” I waggle my eyebrows.
“She backed off when Melinda told her you were taken.”
That is just like Melinda, and I know from her sly smile that she knew something was cooking between the two of us.
Little does Lexi know, I am fucking taken.With her.
“She did?”
“Yup.”
I lean a little closer. “Monica isn’t my type.”
The way Lexi bites down on her lip goes straight to my groin. “Oh, no?” I love how she tries to keep her voice calm. “Since we’re making conversation, what is your type?”
I run a hand down my face. “To be honest, I don’t think I really have one. I value a woman’s sense of humor. Integrity. Loyalty. Humility. A woman who sticks up for herself,” I say. “And who isn’t afraid to be vulnerable.”
She swallows hard. “I think those are wonderful traits.”
“They are, and they’re hard to come by.” I take a breath. I need to man up, but I’ve no idea if she feels the same way. Then again, I can’t deny the sexual tension between us. She surely has to feel it.
“And physical traits?” Why does she sound so worried when she says that? As if she isn’t the most perfect creature that walked the earth.
