Chapter Eleven
Ben
The open house could not be going better. I’d had over a dozen visitors in the last hour, several of whom were serious potentials instead of just nosy neighbors. There were still two hours left, and I had the feeling that I might have a buyer on the line by the end of the day. And right now, nothing— nothing— would make me happier than getting this house off my hands. I moved around the house answering questions and giving short tours, doing what I do best. I didn’t build an entire company without knowing how to negotiate a sale.
Everything was coming up roses until sometime around three o’clock.
I meandered back to the front door to find a real blast from the past—Jules’s and Ava’s entire girl gang from high school strode towards me, except Jules of course. I knew I’d hurt her and I hated it, but it was better than stringing her along in a relationship I wasn’t invested in.
Ava Lancaster, Riley Shepherd, Vivian Rossi, and Gianna Zamorska, all dressed like they were ready to take the town by storm. I had no doubt whatsoever they could accomplish it.
Vivian and Gianna glared daggers at me as they climbed the front steps. Riley, who had been caught in the middle of my big mistake by virtue of being both a friend of our family and best friends with Jules, gave me half a smile and a little shrug. If her friends hadn’t been there she’d probably have hugged me. If Jules had been there she’d have glared like the others, and I would’ve understood completely. That’s a tough spot to maneuvre.
Ava’s face was all business, leading the group and taking a close look at the foyer as she walked up to me. Although, admittedly, I had some trouble focusing on her face. All the girls were dressed up, but Ava looked stunning. Prom night was the last time I’d seen her in a dress and—I couldn’t find the words. Stunning just about covered it. Pink and tight and off-the-shoulder, all I could think of for a solid minute was tugging on the edge of that dress.
“McKinley,” she greeted me icily, bringing into stark relief how pathetic it was to stand there daydreaming about a girl I’d never have. Irritated with myself, all I could do was grit my teeth and incline my head in acknowledgement.
Gianna crossed her arms. “Let’s have it, then.”
Awesome. Apparently, that was how it was going to be, then.
“Have what, exactly?” I asked in a voice so sweet it was obviously fake. Best I could do.
“The elevator pitch.” She gestured widely to the foyer. “Tell us about it.”
“You’re not seriously considering buying it,” I grumbled. Now that I knew who the other “investors” were, I felt fairly certain that this was some bizarre revenge ploy.
“Was that a question or a challenge?” Ava asked, crossing her arms defiantly.
I really wished I hadn’t noticed that. “I thought you were going to ignore me unless you were making an offer.”
She shrugged. “I never agreed to those terms. And we have questions.”
“How long has it been vacant officially?” Vivian asked. “I can’t ever remember seeing someone living here.”
“It was my grandma’s house. It’s been vacant twenty-one years.”
“Twenty-one years is a long time,” Gianna said, taking a full pan of the foyer as she spoke. “Do you know what sort of work needs doing? New roof? New appliances? I’d be surprised if the water heater even turns on.”
The girls all looked at her like she’d sprouted a second head.
“What? My parents taught me stuff.”
“I don’t know what all would need replacing, but my guess is you’re not far off the mark. After the inspection, we can discuss coverage of any necessary renovations.”
Gianna pointed a manicured finger at me. “We’ll be adding allowances for post-inspection negotiations into the contract.”
Oh, for fuck’s sake. “You’re really thinking about a contract already?” I pressed. “You haven’t even seen the house yet.”
“Just give us the spiel, Ben,” Riley interrupted gently. “Please.”
“The house dates to 1902, which makes it one of the earlier ones built in Cedar Springs that still stands. It has five bedrooms and three bathrooms spread over two floors. As you can see, the electricity still works.” Had that been a pain in the ass. I’d had to pause my packing midday to jump through miles of red tape with the electrical company to get the power turned back on. Charlie would’ve needed magic to vacuum without electricity.
“There are stained glass windows throughout that are original. Most of the other windows, but not all, were replaced at some point over the years.”
“Are these the original floors?” Riley asked.
I nodded. “Some have been redone with ceramic tiles or linoleum, but all the wood floors are original. There’s actually one room that hasn’t been touched at all. Floors, walls, ceiling, everything are exactly like they were in 1902.”
Ava’s blue-grey eyes went wide at that statement. “Is it the wooden one?”
“Yup.” I popped the “p” in irritation, recalling her devious use of Mrs. Beatty to sneak into the house. She was determined to haunt me.
A young couple walked in the door behind my attackers, rescuing me. I skirted Ava and company, introducing myself to the newcomers and offering them a guided tour. Even though I deliberately started my tour in the renovated sitting room, I could still hear their squeals as they headed for the historic room.
“Oh my God, this room’s gorgeous!” Riley declared loudly.
Through incredible force of will, I managed to get through a quick tour with the couple. When I walked back into the foyer after they’d wandered to look around a bit more, I heard Ava’s honey-sweet voice echoing in the empty dining room.
“I love it, of course,” she sighed, “but I shudder to think of the cost of heating and cooling it. And don’t even get me started on the property taxes. Plus, have you seen that roof? That’s going to cost a pretty penny.”
Good. If she was talking the girls out of the purchase, that made my job all the easier. And blessedly uncomplicated. No more Ava. No more ghosts. No more problems. Just the escape from this town that I’d been planning for years.
Then I noticed that she wasn’t talking to any of her friends.
She was talking to the couple.
Irritation flared anew, and this time I wasn’t letting her off so easily. It was all well and good to badger me into compliance, but I’d be damned if she scared off a sale. I waited just long enough for the couple to move out of earshot before I stormed up to Ava, pulling her into the historic room and out of sight.
“What the hell are you doing?” I demanded.
“Discussing the pros and cons of buying an older home,” she replied, raising her chin defiantly.
“You’re interfering with business,” I corrected in a furious whisper. “It’s bad enough that you brought everyone here to torment me. Leave my clients alone.” I took a step toward her, hoping to intimidate her into leaving me alone. It wasn’t like they were seriously going to buy this place. Ava was the only one who even lived in town. “I’m done playing this game.”
“It’s not a game, Ben,” Ava shot back. “And you won’t be needing any other clients today.”
“No?” I challenged. “So you’re prepared to make an offer?”
“Damn right we are.”
Ava and I both turned to find Gianna, Riley, and Viv standing in the doorway to the room, glaring at me. I didn’t know who’d answered for Ava, but they all clearly meant business.
Gianna strode up to me, matching my height in her pointy-toed heels. “How would you prefer to receive our offer?” she asked.
I looked from Gianna to Ava and back. They really meant it. Sighing in defeat, I ran a hand through my hair. “Email is fine. I’ll need a letter of intent to purchase, signed by all parties, and then we can start a purchase agreement.”
“Check your email in an hour,” Gianna ordered, turning on her heels. Riley and Viv followed.
Ava trailed behind, turning to me on her way past. “Are you going to try to ignore me again?”
“If you send me the letter, I’ll start the sale,” I promised, cringing at the thought. “But if someone else makes a better offer, I’m taking it.”
She nodded, apparently satisfied, and strode out the door after her friends.
The moment the open house ended, I closed the door and poured myself a glass of that merlot, falling onto one of Grandma’s ancient floral sofas in the historic room. I’d never had a house with a potential buyer so quickly. Normally, I’d be thrilled. Ecstatic. But as I sat there sipping the dry red wine and thinking over the tour, all I felt was alone.