Page 32 of Losing Forever
“There’s a lot more to the therapy than what I just told you, like delivery methods and using a focus color to help ground you in times of stress.”
I cross my arms and notice how she checks out my biceps. “Is that what you do?”
“Sometimes.” Her fingers fly to her neck, as if she’s grabbing for something that isn’t there. “I taught Noah how to use it, too.” She gathers the swatches and stuffs them in the bag, hooking it onto her shoulder like she’s ready to go.
“Did you choose a color?”
“I think so.” She holds the strap on her shoulder and heads for the door.
And like that, we’re back to closed-off Braylee. I follow her through the house to the garage, where she approaches the man she was speaking to earlier.
“Alex, this is Grayson.” She gestures to me. “He’s running the office with Noah and me and will be the listing agent for the house.”
Alex removes his glove and shakes my hand. “Nice to meet you, sir.”
Sir? “You, too.”
“Alex is the assistant contractor to Calvin,” Braylee says to me. “He’s overseeing this project.” She turns to Alex. “I’m going to have a list of all the upgrades and renovations made available to Grayson before the house goes on the market. If there are any complications or changes, please make sure Noah or I are made aware so I can add them to the list.”
“No problem, Miss Miller.”
“Thank you,” she says.
“It was nice meeting you.” I nod at Alex and walk with Braylee toward the driveway. “If this list is for me,” I say, “shouldn’t I be the one compiling it?”
“I thought you’d be busy with your courses.” She stops on the sidewalk, squinting against the sun.
“It’ll give me a reason to come by the house and keep up with the progress. I want to feel more connected to the job.”
“Okay.” She nods, her slight smile letting me know she’s pleased with my response.
I unlock the car with my remote and open the passenger door for her. “Can I give you a ride back to the house or the office?” No point in her getting an Uber when I’m ready and available.
She hesitates for a moment and then climbs into the SUV. “The house, please.”
I want to raise my fists into the air at the small victory but play it cool to keep her from asking questions. The second I’m behind the wheel, I crank the air and continue with the conversation. “What’s the purpose of the list? For our records?”
“Well, yes, but also, it’s for the buyers. The more they know about what was done to the house, the easier it will be to get the price we’re asking.”
“You know a lot more about this than I do.”
“I spent the last two months working with Aunt Lina and Uncle Brady on three different houses in Winter Park. You’ll catch on.”
I sure the fuck will.
The determined side of me wants to plow through my real estate classes so I can prove my worth to Noah and his family. Then there’s this other side that wants to catch up so I can be on an equal playing field with Braylee. I want to be someone she trusts to turn to for help or advice in business and any other topic that interests her.
12
Braylee
Ipark Noah’s SUV in front of the office and stare at the entrance door. He let me borrow his car this morning for an appointment. I’m an hour later than usual. Everyone is inside working, including Grayson. His Land Rover is two spots down, next to Caitlyn’s red Volkswagen Beetle.
Last week, when he chased me to the house we’re flipping, I thought he and I had bonded over paint colors. I even let him drive me home instead of taking an Uber again. The car ride with him was pleasant, albeit a little charged. Every time I shifted in the passenger seat, Grayson stared at my legs or caught my gaze.
When we got back to the house, I raced to my room for a bath, the whole time watching the door to his room to see if he’d try to come in. He didn’t. Since then, he’s been ignoring me. At least that’s what it feels like.
I get out of the car and pray no one—Caitlyn—questions me about where I’ve been.
