Page 31 of Up All Night
"Yeah, he's not going for that.I don't want to waste your colleague's time."I say carefully, playing dumb.
She rolls her eyes slightly."The guy's an asshole."
So, I've heard.But I don't say that."Sounds like it.What idiot would put a house up for sale in that condition and expect it to sell at that price?"
Lucy exhales sharply."I counselled Lark on that, but she's stubborn, and she's good.It'll sell.It's just how much of it she's going to have to eat to get there.Twenty bucks says that asshole blames us for his shortcomings on the sale."
"You're a large, successful firm.You can bounce back.If it weren't for that very attribute, I wouldn't have been doing business with you for so long."
Her phone pings with a message.She glances at the display.Normally, her face remains stead, but she smirks a little."I've got to head out in a few minutes, Stone.Is there anything I can do for you?"
I tease her."Hot lunch date, huh.I knew you were into Tilley hats."
Her look is warning but with a smile."I'll call you when I get an update on that parcel of land."
"Fine.Have fun."
As I leave her office, I walk past Lark's office, but the door is closed and she's not in there.I find her in the parking lot, on a call.It looks like she's arranging to go see a client, but I nonchalantly stick around while she finishes."Heading out?"I ask her.
"Yes.I have to show a client a couple of houses."Her tone is slightly clipped.
"Are you busy for dinner?"
"Not right now, but I have no idea how late I'll be."
"I get it.I've got a million errands to run this afternoon, too, but I can meet you in the hotel dining room at nine.Is that okay?"
"Sure.I'll call you if I can be earlier?"
I smile."Sounds good."I'm dying to kiss her.But there's no telling if anyone will see, especially if Lucy is on her way out."Hey, Lucy's going on a lunch date with the Tilley hat guy, but you didn't hear that from me."
A snorted laugh."She finally took my advice.It's about time."
I give her a wink."I'll see you later."
Her smile is warm."Yeah."
Lark
Why does he have to be such a nice guy?And why did I have to meet him through work?There's always a chance of that happening, but to have it happen twice?No good can come of this.I've been down this road before, and it ended disastrously.There is no way that this can be different, and it's not worth the risk.If I have to change realty companies one more time, my career might as well be over.It looks bad.It would be the kiss of death for me, and that's why I shouldn't even be mixing with Stone, but I can't seem to tear myself away from him.It's too early to tell, and I refuse to listen to my gut, but I think that he's wonderful.There isn't anything about him that I don't like.
Yet.
But it'll come.Money does things to people.I came from nothing so I should know.
I'm driving to another property, with my client in tow behind me, when my Bluetooth rings.It's my sister."Liv, I'm just on my way to a property.What's up?"
Liv and I are like two pees in a pod.We're twins.Fraternal, but we might as well be identical, since we're alike on so many levels."No problem.I'm just on my way to drop off some materials to the plant.I wanted to see if you're free for dinner tonight."
I half lie."I'm working late.Probably not home until like ten?"
"What about a late lunch after you show your clients these properties?"
I know that I can squeeze in an hour.Even if they put in an offer."Sure.I don't know when that'll be, but I can swing by the shop after?"
"Excellent.You can try this new lotion I was working on last night."
Liv is an entrepreneur.She's got this natural products shop downtown and she makes her own products.A year ago, she started renting out some warehouse space, where she's building her lab for product making.I've invested in her company, since I have the funds to give and she didn't have the collateral she needed to take out a loan.I have high hopes for her.Liv is a die-hard workaholic, but she's got a master's degree in business, and she's always wanted to do this, so the drive and the smarts are there.Plus, she's got my investment, so she's got the capital, too.
