Page 12 of The Sky in Summer
Turning her head, an amused expression appears.
“And that creepy smirk looks familiar too. What are you doing here, Pepe?”
She loves it.
“This must mean something. I mean, come on. What are the chances?” I add.
“You two know each other?” Mindy comes to the obvious conclusion.
“We are old friends. From kindergarten actually.”
The talkative realtor surprisingly pauses, taking in the news. Not sure she likes it. Especially the fact Layla calls me by another name. A private joke name.
“Oh, that’s funny,” she says without any evidence she’s identifying the emotion correctly.
Layla makes her way down slowly. Is it for safety reasons, or to give me ample time to drool? I can’t figure her out. Except for the confidence part. I see that clearly. The odd thing about it is how much I’m enjoying myself. Confidence is a two-sided coin. It can be the most appealing quality in a person, or if not based in reality what turns you off. Layla’s in the former group.
“I take it you’re a realtor?” she says, stepping down to where we stand.
“True. I take it you’re the stager. I’ve heard good things.”
Mindy’s eyes bounce between us, like she is watching a tennis game. I wish she would get lost. Instead, she cock blocks me by talking down to Layla.
“Have you finished with the master?”
Layla makes eye contact with her and answers pointedly and slowly.
“No. We are waiting on the club chair and bedside table delivery. I thought we discussed that earlier.”
Mindy scrambles to not look like a little bitch. “Oh, that’s right. My mistake.”
Eyes turn back to me, and a warm smile appears on Layla’s great face.
“I have to get to work. We are on a tight schedule today, as you can understand. But let’s fill in the blanks tomorrow.”
The sound of my colleague’s heels stomping away is like a joyful march to my ears.Au revoir. She is pissed but that isn’t my problem. I’m alone with Layla. Standing closer than we have before. I stand my ground and she doesn’t budge either. Her chin lifts. Five foot four looking at six foot one.
“So I’ll meet you at the restaurant.”
“Sure you don’t want me to pick you up?”
“I have to meet up with the twins at four, so it will work out better this way.”
“But then I won’t be able to scope out your place. How am I supposed to visualize where you are when we talk on the phone at night?”
“Use your imagination.”
“Oh, I have been.”
“Humph!” She huffs her response, pivots and walks away. But she was biting her lip, holding back a smile.
Give me just a little of that dynamite, girl. I will put a match to it.
Somewhat distracted by work but looking forward to a margarita break with Layla. That’s how I would describe myself walking toward the restaurant. The big day arrived without fanfare of any kind. It’s an ordinary Wednesday. Just because I want to take things from friendship to a new level, doesn’t mean the earth changed its axis. I still had to work this morning and make the usual follow-up calls.
Marie’s was interesting. She has organized a welcome to Paris dinner my first weekend in France. The other realtors I will be working with from the company will attend. That was very nice. Technically she will be who I answer to. But that in no way means she is my boss.
I imagine a good, smooth relationship with the head of the Paris division. We have been in contact since the offer. Already, I have come to certain conclusions. She is professional. Also accomplished and confident without being annoying. I think we will connect personality wise. It’s anyone’s guess if it will go further, or if it should. Although I already sense she would be open to the idea. Then again, I do not know French women. Maybe being playful is just part of the vibe.
