Chapter 6
Jameson messaged me the other day and asked if we could meet at a coffee shop before looking at a couple of properties. I agreed and suggested my favorite place.
When he sent over his information and his price range, I was in shock. I knew from very brief conversations with my friends that he was successful, but I didn’t expect to be showing multi-million dollar homes this week. He said a “modest vacation home.” It made me a lot more nervous.
I check my makeup in the car mirror one final time before heading in.
I didn’t do anything crazy, just a dab of blush and mascara.
I’m usually rocking the constantly tired, single-working-mom look, so this is a step up.
I don’t have the time or extra funds to spend on nails, hair, things like that.
My blonde-ish hair gets a touch up every now and then at home by my own two hands.
I’m about to get out of the car when the sound of a loud engine grabs my attention, and I look over and see a street bike pulling into the spot next to me.
The rider’s jeans are tight in his seated position, and I can’t help but stare as he goes from straddling the bike to swinging one leg off.
I keep ogling as he pulls his helmet off and runs his hands through his dark hair that has a few hints of grey creeping in.
His dark, neatly trimmed stubble has a few speckles of grey too.
I quickly avert my gaze to my phone when I realize it’s Jameson I’ve been staring at. He didn’t see me looking, but I hope he heads inside before he notices me right next to him, sitting awkwardly in my car. I scroll through nothing until I see him walking away out of my peripheral vision.
When I finally decide it’s safe to look again, he’s gone. It feels more natural to greet him inside than making awkward eye contact through my passenger-side window.
I step out into the crisp air and shut my door, taking a deep breath. It’s a perfect fall day. I don’t care what the calendar says. Autumn starts for me on September first. Especially around Lake Tahoe, where it cools off fast.
I head inside, ready to order my favorite cold brew with pumpkin cold foam. Once I have that drink in my hand, I can take on the world.
I make a beeline for the line, ending up directly behind Jameson, who hasn’t noticed me yet.
He smells like fresh air and something warm.
Comforting. Like if I snuggled up on the couch with a soft, clean blanket, the windows open to a forest breeze, and a nostalgic movie playing.
That’s what he smells like. It’s a good smell.
I’m about to say something, but suddenly I don’t know what to do with my hands. I clasp them together in front of me, then clear my throat.
He turns around, and I’m met with the most piercing blue eyes.
It was dark when I met him at the wedding. Seeing him in the daylight is something else. Jarring, almost. I force myself to smile, though I’ve suddenly lost the ability to speak.
How very professional of me.
His glowing cerulean eyes—that somehow seem to pop more with the thin streaks of grey in his dark hair—light up as recognition flashes across them.
“Carly.” He draws out my name like it’s something delicious, possibly sinful. Or maybe that’s just in my head, because I’ve forgotten to breathe and can’t form a single thought.
“Jameson,” I manage to get out in a somewhat even tone. I think.
He holds the eye contact. “Thanks for meeting me.”
“Of course. Thanks for calling.”
“Happy to,” he says with his lip turned up in the corner. I catch that hint of an Irish lilt again. “You come highly recommended.” This is officially the most he’s spoken to me. It throws me off a little, how friendly he’s being.
“Liam will hype any friend up. You can’t exactly trust his stamp of approval.”
His lip quirks in the corner.
Wow. I’m really not selling myself here.
“Well, I trust him on this one,” he replies. “He’s never led me astray.”
I smile, then glance at the menu just to break his gaze and gather myself.
“What do you normally order?” he asks.
I take a deep breath. “Well, it’s September now, so that means I’ll be having the large pumpkin cold brew until November.”
I glance at him again, and he’s scowling at me. “That’s dreadful.”
A surprised laugh slips out of me. I shrug. “You’re missing out.”
He raises an eyebrow, his gaze lingering on me for several moments after they call him up next. Finally turning away, he steps forward and orders quickly. “A large pumpkin cold brew, please. And I’ll do your breakfast tea with a splash of milk.”
By the time I register that he ordered for me, it’s too late. “No, please. This was supposed to be my treat.”
I step forward to protest, but he’s already scanned his card. “You can get the next one.” But something in his expression tells me he won’t let that happen either.
“I…” I close my mouth and give him a tight-lipped smile. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He tucks his wallet into his jeans pocket and gestures for me to lead the way.
I guide us to a table and take the cushioned bench side. He pulls out a chair on the other side, sliding off his jacket before sitting. I don’t mean to stare, but it’s by far the most exciting thing in this coffee shop.
He’s wearing a plain white T-shirt underneath, but I’d bet it’s not plain at all.
Probably the softest fabric ever made. As the first sleeve comes off, my eyes snag on the veined, muscular forearm that emerges.
I didn’t realize he was hiding all that under there.
If more people aren’t staring, I’d be surprised.
He’s a six-foot-tall, late-thirties man who walked in with a leather jacket and a quiet confidence that practically radiates.
And sure, I’d be a fool to deny that he’s just a classically gorgeous man, but it’s more than that.
Before he finally takes a seat, I force my eyes back to my coffee. This is a business meeting.
Again, I am doing so bad at this.
I flick my eyes to him for a moment, and he’s finally seated, arms crossed. I pull out my phone, pretending to check the addresses, as if I don’t already have them memorized.
“Okay, so I thought we’d look at the Evergreen property first. What do you think?”
“Sounds good.” He says.
“And maybe after that, the Alpine Ridge one…”
He nods. “What’s your favorite film?” he asks, leaning a little closer.
“Uh…my favorite film?”
“Yes.”
“You want to know my favorite movie…”
“I like to get to know the people I work with,” he says with a mysterious glint in his eye. I’m not sure if that’s the whole truth, but I don’t question it.
“Hmmm. It’s hard to choose just one. PS I Love You?”
“Are you asking me?”
“No. I love that movie. Or Hocus Pocus. Or Pride and Prejudice. I don’t know.”
“Okay. So, you’re a romantic but also a Halloween fanatic.”
“Summed me up perfectly,” I say with a smile. “What about you?”
“Hmm. Strictly financial reports and stock market updates for me.” He leans back, arms still crossed.
“You’re lying.”
His lips curve. Barely. “Am I?”
“Maybe. I don’t know, actually.”
A puff of air leaves his nose as his chest jumps slightly.
“The Lord of the Rings pretty much saved my life as a teenager. Would you believe that?”
I study him, dragging it out as he waits patiently for my answer, eyes never leaving me. “Yes,” I decide.
He nods, confirming my answer is correct.
“Okay. What else do you need to know before we go look at some homes?”
“Do you like traveling?”
“Wish I could do it more. Unfortunately, life has sort of limited me there.”
He’s still looking at me like he’s assessing me. The conversation is light-hearted, but I wonder what his real goal here is.
“One day,” he says.
“Maybe,” I shrug and look away. I’ve kind of given up on a lot of dreams I had when I was younger. I’m content here, being a mom.
“Well, should we get going?” he finally asks, finishing the question with a sip of tea.
“Sure.” I stand, realizing I haven’t taken a sip of my coffee yet.
He gestures for me to go first, then somehow slips ahead in time to hold the door open. I step out into the fresh air once again.
He’s watching me expectantly as I stop in front of my car and turn back to him.
“Would you like to ride with me?” I offer. Some realtors like to shuttle their clients around to each location. Still, with him I feel a little silly asking.
A hint of a smile touches his face as he leans against his bike with his arms crossed. “How about I take you for a ride?” He nods toward his bike.
“Definitely not,” I say slowly, eyebrows raised.
“Maybe next time.” He grins.
“Yeah…maybe.” Still no.