Chapter 3
3
C arley eagerly typed out the email to Mason with a grin on her face. She'd woken this morning to the news from Quinn that he had accepted Mason’s offer.
Mason, attached, please find your accepted offer on the condo at The Barracks. You can officially begin packing your things as you'll be moving soon. By which, I mean Quinn says he knows you and has given permission for you to begin moving in tomorrow if you like. Please let me know when I can meet you and give you the keys. Carley.
She re-read her email to make sure nothing was misspelled. Happy with the tone of the email, she clicked "send".
Her belly rolled in excitement for Mason's new purchase, and it was the fourth sale for her in the past month. She was finally making the money she'd always known she was capable of, without the financial drain of her loser ex. New town, new home, new job and not just any job either. She was running her own real estate business. Thanks, of course, to her sister. Margo coached her along, shared her knowledge of all things real estate, and helped her find new business. At Margo and Jace's wedding, Margo made it a point to introduce her to all her clients and prospective clients. Few people got a start like she had, and she wasn't going to blow it.
Taking a deep breath, she got up, poured herself another cup of coffee, and strode down the hallway to her bedroom to get ready for the day. The weather was warm today; a typical day in central Florida.
"And I love it," she said out loud for no one to hear.
That was the only hard part about living here. She'd bought Margo's big house at a steal when Margo moved in with Jace. Then she'd gotten an incredible deal on Price Real Estate from Margo. Basically, both she and her sister were ready to move on from their former lives, and the timing had worked out for each of them. But she was a tad lonely here. Maybe she should get a dog. A dog would be some company and provide a bit of security, not that her security system was bad. She'd think more about the dog idea today.
After showering and dressing, she gathered her laptop case, files, and her cute little black purse with the chain strap and locked her doors. Jumping in her SUV, she turned the air conditioning on high as she slowly pulled from her garage. Today was a good day!
She grinned all the way to the office. The music on the radio matched her mood.
Stepping into the office, she greeted Addison, her assistant. Addison came with the office and she knew more about the entire business than she did, but she was learning.
"Good morning, Addison. How are you this morning?"
"I'm great. How are you?"
"I'm great too. It's going to be a good day. I sold another condo last night."
"Fantastic! You also have two messages from potential sellers on your voicemail. I forwarded them when I got in this morning. And the title company has a couple of questions about the Juno deal."
"I'll take care of that first. Thank you."
She moved into her new office, Margo's old one, and smiled as she once again had that feeling of disbelief that this was all hers.
Sitting at her desk, she booted up her laptop. Then she listened to her voice messages as her computer woke up.
She returned the title company's call and set up appointments for the two potential sellers for today. She stood to leave for the first appointment when she saw Mason's email slip into her inbox.
Her belly shivered as she saw his name. Quickly clicking to open it, she read his reply.
Thank you so much. I appreciate it and I'll make sure to thank Quinn when I see him. I'm working from noon till around nine tonight. I can meet you before I go in, or it will have to be tomorrow. Mason.
She was on her way to her first appointment now and didn't know how long it would take. She felt slightly deflated thinking she'd have to wait until tomorrow.
She stepped out of her office and stopped at Addison's desk. "I'm off to meet Douglas Sanders. I put his address in the computer. I'm trying to meet up with Mason Thompson, the buyer of condo number four, to give him the keys, but I don't know when that will be."
"I can keep the keys here and he can stop in."
"No!" She softened her tone. "That's okay, I'd like to do it in person."
Addison's smile spread across her face. "Is that the big guy who tends bar at the Sandbar? The handsome one with the killer smile?"
Carley's heart beat a bit faster. She smiled and Addison grinned.
"Yes. That's him. Do you know him?"
Addison shrugged. "Only in passing. I've seen him at the Sandbar, and my girlfriends and I like to watch him work. His hands are...efficient."
A little jealousy bug crawled up Carley's back and her shoulders stiffened. "Yes. That's my estimation as well."
Addison's brows rose into her bangs, but she didn't say anything further. Carley started toward the door. "I'll be back later in the day."
Carley finished her appointment with Douglas Sanders, catching herself a few times looking at her watch. He had a lovely home, though it was dated. But it seemed lately potential buyers didn't care as much if they got a good deal. Douglas Sanders was eager to sell, as he was moving this week to be closer to his children on the Space Coast and didn't want an empty house for too long. His eagerness was good news for her and any buyers she showed the property to.
As soon as noon came and went, she knew she wouldn't be able to meet up with Mason today. She swallowed the lump in her throat and drove to her second appointment.
Finishing up that appointment, she headed back to the office and cheerfully announced to Addison that she'd earned two more listings. She laid the paperwork on Addison's desk to enter into the system and schedule the photographer for photos.
She returned phone calls and checked her email, then decided to be brave and go to the Sandbar to give Mason his keys. She'd hoped to meet him privately, but honestly, what was that going to do for either of them? She shook her head at her silliness and chided herself for not being professional.
She parked at the Sandbar, took a deep breath, and let it out in a whoosh. She shook her head at her nervousness. After all, her sister and brother-in-law owned the Sandbar, and she was welcome any day and any time. It was natural for her to stop here. She was the one making it more than it was.
She entered the Sandbar, and her eyes landed on Mason immediately. He was chatting with patrons at the bar, two women and a man. The women were laughing overly loud and cocking their heads in the most flirtatious way. It rankled her, even though it shouldn't. After all, she sold him a condo and that was the extent of their relationship. He was the buyer, and she was the realtor.
But she liked his quiet strength. He didn't need to fill any conversational void with idle chatter. He could be quiet and present but not busy. He was different from anyone she'd ever known.
He stopped chatting with the customers at the bar and his eyes landed on hers. They held for a few moments, then he smiled, and her heart thudded in her chest.