Page 5 of So Not My Thing
“In the folders in front of you, you’ll find the spec sheets for the three properties we think will serve you best, but I’ll put them up on the main screen while we take a virtual tour.”
That was Donna’s cue to start the presentation while Brenda rose to narrate from our end of the table. Dave sat across from me, and as he turned from Miles’s end toward the screen, his gaze swept over me then paused, his eyes widening a tiny bit again.
I glanced down to make sure that my boobs weren’t somehow sticking out without my knowledge and gave a small gasp. Donna glanced over and immediately gave me a sympathetic look.
I could add “a metric ton of sugar” to my power suit accessories. There was a sprinkling of it all over my lapels, down to the first two buttons, stark against the black fabric.
No, sprinkling was kind. It was a sugar apocalypse all up on my bosoms.
No wonder Miles Crowe had looked at me in confusion. He must be wondering how a toddler got invited to the grownup table.
Why didn’t you tell me? I mouthed to Donna.
I just saw it, she mouthed back. She handed me the napkin under her coffee, and I took it, but I didn’t bother wiping at the sugar. Anyone with beignet practice knows that the sugar only smears when you rub at it, like erasers pushing chalk dust on a dirty board. There was no way to fix this until I could get to the bathroom and dissolve it with water, but I couldn’t walk out in the middle of Brenda’s presentation.
I tried to pay attention to what she said, but I knew the properties inside and out. They weren’t sites I would have picked. They would all work as a club space, but none had the vibe I would want if I were opening a jazz club. But the three properties she was presenting were double profitable for the firm because, as the listing agent, Brenda would earn a double commission.
Who knew? Maybe these were exactly the kinds of polished places Miles was looking for. I snuck a glance down at him to gauge his reaction. His dark blue eyes were crinkled like he was listening intently, but I couldn’t tell one way or the other what he thought.
Brenda brought her presentation to a close. “I think you’ll agree that each of these properties has unique advantages. It just depends on what you want to prioritize.”
“That second one looks good,” Miles’s business manager, Aaron, said.
“The one near the Sonesta.” Brenda nodded. “It would be an excellent option.”
“You’d share parking with the hotel,” Dave added. This is what we were here for. To jump in and hype the properties.
“Parking is a huge deal in the city,” Donna added. “Subleasing rights from the hotel is one of the easiest ways to solve that.”
Other agents jumped in as well, each repeating features they liked about the property. I kept quiet because they had it handled.
“I don’t know if it’s the right vibe,” Miles finally said, after hearing them all out. It gave me a jolt to hear him use the same word I’d been thinking. “I think I need something...scruffier.” His voice had deepened since high school, but it still had a round, mellow tone to it, like if I could taste his words, I’d pick up a faint trace of honey.
Not that I was thinking about that.
“You can certainly adapt the interiors to reflect your aesthetic,” Brenda reassured him. “Let’s take a look at Poydras Street again.” And she was off and running on why the first property would be perfect.
I kept my eyes on my folder and prayed that the other agents would help a tiny bit less so this meeting could end faster.
“Elle?”
I glanced up when Brenda called my name to find everyone looking at me expectantly, and warmth spread from the back of my neck to my cheeks. I hated the way my skin prickled. “I’m sorry?”
“Miles asked what you thought of these properties.”
I looked down the table to where he sat.
He smiled. “You haven’t said much. I wondered if you had a different opinion.”
I didn’t hesitate. “Brenda knows this market better than anyone.”
He gave a slow nod. “Thanks.”
“How about if we schedule some onsite visits?” Brenda asked.
“Yeah, sure.” Miles didn’t seem too excited about the idea, but his manager pulled out his phone like he was checking his schedule.
“Great. We’ll let the rest of these folks get back to their other clients while we set something up. Thanks for your help, team.”
