28. Micah
28
MICAH
“Hey, Micah, I’m Rocco Giordano. Sorry I missed you the other day.”
“No worries.” I shake his hand as he steps into the foyer. “Good to meet you.”
Aaron and Frank are behind him, and I usher them inside and close the door. I’m not sure if Frank is here for moral support or plain curiosity.
“Hope it’s all right to take another look around?” Rocco asks, his gaze focused on the fireplace, which has been updated with refurbished wood on the mantel.
“Be my guest.”
I follow as they move from room to room, Aaron explaining the history of the architecture and the work he’s done. I’ve learned quite a few things myself from my daily chats with him.
“This is just as amazing the second time around,” Rocco remarks as he slides a hand across the granite countertop in the kitchen. The lighter stone color really helps the mosaic backsplash stand out. This is the only room Aaron had help with installation from the supplier. He painted all the cupboards himself.
“Aaron is very good at what he does.” I try to see the place from a buyer’s perspective. I might be doing the same in LA, though the houses won’t have the same craftsmanship. Aaron invested his own money into the remodel, absolutely convinced he would get it back twofold, and based on Rocco’s offer, he was right.
“He is.” Rocco straightens. “I also tend to know a good thing when I see it.”
I nearly crack a smile at the bravado Rocco exudes. Instead, I nod. No reason to doubt his good sense.
“Aaron will tell you.” He nudges his business partner’s shoulder. “I’m an awesome salesman.”
Frank smirks. “Sure, let him stroke your ego even more.”
Rocco gives him a look I can’t quite read, and for the first time, I’m very curious about their friendship. They certainly seem like an odd pair, with Rocco decked out in an expensive-looking suit and Frank beside him in a grease-stained Jack of All Trades shirt. But they seem very comfortable around each other. Comfortable enough to rib each other.
As we head upstairs to the main bedroom, Rocco makes a detour to check out the guest bathroom, where Aaron has updated the paint and vanity.
“What does your fiancée think about you owning property out here?”
“Since I invested in the service station, I figure this gives us a good excuse to visit Aqua Vista.” Rocco tests the light socket in the hallway. “Besides, I’ll need to check on Frank to make sure he’s not fucking anything up.”
Frank rolls his eyes. “Think you’re funny, huh?”
“Frank will do great,” Aaron says. “And the customers will appreciate the new amenities.”
“What sort of amenities?” I ask as we enter the main bedroom that Aaron staged with neutral bedding and walls so it would appeal to most buyers. And even without the planned artwork he was going to install, it obviously worked for Rocco.
“An actual snack counter, fresh coffee, and vending machines that carry more than water.”
I snicker, wondering how Jack feels about that. “It’s a good idea.”
“Right?” Rocco tugs the lapels on his blazer. “I’m glad he listened to me.”
“Excuse me? I suggested it first,” Aaron retorts, and Rocco smiles warmly at his friend. I can only imagine the bickering that went down when Aaron told him he planned to live in Aqua Vista.
It makes me yearn for John to be here right now to provide backup. For what exactly, I’m not sure. Considering this is my life and mess to deal with, it’s a good thing he’s not.
My bedroom door is closed, the clutter behind it off-limits since Aaron hadn’t finished staging before Rocco decided to throw his hat in the ring. Since it’s the same size as the empty guest room, Rocco doesn’t complain. By the time I leave town, I’ll have the last of the stuff on the floor packed and ready to donate or keep.
“Where do you stay now when you come into town?”
“Either with Aaron or Frank,” Rocco replies as he opens the closet, which is on the smaller side due to the period the house was built. “I’m sure they’ll be glad to be rid of me.”
I smile blandly, another question niggling at my gut, inspired by John’s inquiry the other night. “Not that it’s any of my business, but what do you plan on doing with the place when you’re not in town?”
“Not exactly sure.” He glances at Aaron, who’s standing near the window. “Maybe it can be turned into an Airbnb, so it brings in extra income.”
“The old-timers will love that idea,” Frank teases. “But it’s not unheard of.”
“I mean, imagine the draw.” Rocco’s gaze is trained toward the foothills. “The ocean one way, the mountains the other.”
“Do you hike or surf?” I ask, suddenly curious what Rocco does for recreation.
“Hell no,” Rocco replies, and we all laugh. “I enjoy seeing the sights by car. I’m more of a spectator, if you will.”
“Nothing wrong with that,” Frank adds, and I realize he has similar tendencies. Another thing they have in common. “Besides, the way you were downing those drafts last night, you’d never last in the mountains.”
“Not fair,” Rocco pouts. “I was thirsty.”
“I’m sure there’s water in beer,” Aaron quips.
“In wine too,” Frank adds with a wink.
“Okay, I get the message loud and clear. I need healthier habits.”
I can’t help smirking at their banter. It makes me ache for easy companionship, the kind I had as a kid.
“You’re right. Aqua Vista does have quite the appeal.” I motion for him to follow me to the balcony, where I throw open the French doors and breathe in the fresh air. For the first time, the house and surrounding landscape don’t make my stomach tighten. Instead, I feel nostalgic. After all, it’s not Aqua Vista’s fault that I had such a crappy upbringing and brought loads of baggage with me.
Rocco watches me closely as he steps toward the railing. “Are you having second thoughts about selling?”
“Not at all. My life is in LA.” I blow out a breath. “I think I just never fully appreciated the town, or this property for that matter.”
“Neither did I, at first.” Rocco thumps Aaron’s shoulder. “He had to convince me, and now I see the beauty.”
“Hey, not only Aaron,” Frank says with a pout. “I swayed you too.”
Aaron throws me an amused glance. “You two bicker like an old married couple.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Rocco’s face flushes and Frank gets busy scrutinizing the wrought-iron chair I’ve fallen asleep in countless times.
Aaron barks out a laugh. “I’m only messing with you.”
I try to break the awkwardness with another pressing question. “Any chance you’re interested in adding a used boat to the sale of the house?”
“A boat?” Rocco looks around the yard below.
“My grandpa left it to me. He worked on a fishing boat, and I helped sometimes.”
Rocco glances at Aaron. “Chuck didn’t mention it. Neither did Aaron.”
“That’s because I’m hearing about it now,” Aaron tells him.
“I would have no clue what to do with a boat.” He winces. “And I also don’t need any added stress.”
“No worries.” It was foolish to upset the apple cart. The boat sale will have to remain separate. “I only thought of it since you mentioned traveling and being a spectator. Nothing like being out on the water during the sunrise or sunset.”
Frank’s eyes widen. “Well, listen to you. Sounds like you’re missing it.”
“Nah, I’ve gotten my fill since I’ve been back.” The lie comes easily to smooth the path away from this discussion. “I’m sure one of the fishers at the docks will take the boat off my hands.”
“Why not take it with you?” Rocco asks.
“No place to store it.” I don’t mention that I barely have room for myself.
“Speaking of the docks, I hear Cap had a stroke,” Frank says, then to Rocco and Aaron, “He’s run the tackle shop on Sleepy Slip for decades.”
“Yeah, it’s a bummer.” I rub the back of my neck. “He’s been a fixture for as long as I can remember.”
Frank nods. “Maybe someone in his family can take over the business.”
“His daughter and granddaughter are helping out, so we’ll see.”
“Maybe they’ll give the place a facelift while he’s away,” Frank teases.
“Like the service station,” Aaron adds excitedly.
“Eh, I don’t know.” Frank shrugs. “Some things are better left in their original condition. That place has character, you know?”
“This house does too,” Aaron argues. “But a little upkeep never hurt anything.”
“You’re right,” I admit, considering how Cap’s shack could do with some new paint. “And you did an incredible job.”
Aaron beams before suggesting we head back downstairs, and we make small talk as I walk them to the door.
Rocco reaches out to shake my hand. “I’ll get in touch with Chuck so he can draw up the paperwork.”
My stomach tilts uncomfortably, but it’s likely only nerves. “Sounds good.”
Aaron playfully elbows Rocco. “Look at you. About to become a bona fide Aqua Vista resident.”
He huffs out a laugh. “So much for your town curse.”
“You heard those ridiculous rumors?”
Damn, I hope it doesn’t include my grandpa’s house being haunted or whatever the kids are saying. Though he wouldn’t be here if he had a problem with it.
“Frank told me some things. Aaron too.” He holds up a finger. “Oh, and Beth.”
“I forgot you’ve been talking with her,” Frank says. “Careful, she might forecast your future.”
“She was right about me,” Aaron admits.
I open my mouth to confess the same, then clamp it shut.
Looks like the horizon is doing its job keeping John and me at arm’s length. Or should I say, in different cities?
“She did make a prediction.” Rocco’s tone is a cross between amusement and discomfort. “But only because I asked, and even then, I was half joking.”
Frank nudges him. “You didn’t tell me this.”
He narrows his eyes. “Because I still think it’s bullshit, and I didn’t exactly like what she had to say.”
“Well, don’t leave us in suspense,” Frank eggs him on.
“She said I would end up with the love of my life,” he mutters.
“And?” Aaron’s eyebrows pull together. “What’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing.” He shifts awkwardly as if recounting their interaction makes him uneasy. “So I pointed out that I am marrying Corrine. Beth looked away and didn’t respond.”
“So?” Aaron scoffs. “That doesn’t mean?—”
He huffs out a breath. “Then she said, I wish you all the best.”
The foyer grows silent.
“Well, you did ask.” I wince.
“I did.”
I shrug. “It all depends on what you believe.”
“True, and like I said, it’s all BS.”
I notice Frank is suspiciously silent.
We shake hands again before I close the door behind them.
I lean against the wood and look around the space. With all the clutter gone, it looks clean and sleek but also stark and not lived in, which makes sense with all the updates.
Did I really just sell my grandfather’s house?