4 #3
“No, listen.” He held up a hand. “Think of it as an investment. If you’ll sink about twenty-thousand into this house, I can add fifty to the list price. You’ll make about thirty grand more than if you just dick around with the renovations. Plus, it’ll sell faster.”
With a look around the kitchen, Rhett had to admit he had a point.
The pattern on the floor had been worn away by foot traffic, and what remained had been mopped almost into insignificance.
The almond-colored laminate countertops were chipped and scratched, and the matching appliances had seen better days.
“I guess you’re right,” she admitted.
“Of course I am. Remember, I do this for a living. Now.” He took his folder from under his arm and opened it on the counter.
“Let’s talk list price. This is a pretty desirable neighborhood for young couples and families.
I’m thinking once you get the renovations done, we can list this place for a nice number. ”
When he told her the “nice number” Rhett gaped at him in shock “Get out. Are you serious?”
“You bet,” Les replied. “None of the other houses for sale in this neighborhood have the enclosed garage like yours does, and none of them have updated kitchens. Now, I’m not saying we’ll get full price, but I’d be surprised if we don’t come close. What’cha think?”
“I think I’d better call in some contractors and painters, and get this started.”
“Good deal.” Les gathered up the papers and replaced them in the folder. “Now that we’ve got the listing on this house ironed out, do you need me to show you houses for sale?”
“Thanks, but no.” Rhett leaned against the fridge. “I’m moving to Dallas. I'm going to stay at Mel's until I find a place.”
“Dallas, huh?” Les grinned. “Are you taking your mom?”
“Oh, hell to the no,” Rhett groaned. “I’ve been staying with her for a week now, and I think I’m already getting a bleeding ulcer.”
“I take it she hasn’t changed much?”
“She’s gotten worse. Take the way she used to treat you when you picked me up for dates and magnify that by about a thousand.”
Les snickered. “Then please don’t tell her I’m the one selling your house.” He regarded her with a slight smile. “You know, I should’ve fought for you when you dumped me for Mark Stegall.”
“Yeah, right,” Rhett scoffed. “You were graduating and heading off to college at TCU. You didn’t need a high school kid hanging on your coat tails.”
"Maybe not." He rubbed the side of his nose, and the sideways look he gave her could only be categorized as shy. "Thing is, I really liked you, Rhett."
For the first time since he stepped out of his car in the driveway, it hit her that this man had taken her virginity.
Even though she pretended he was Rhys James at the time, Les had touched her naked body, kissed her breasts, been inside her.
A slow heat crept up her neck and warmed her entire face.
In an attempt to hide the blush, she rested her elbows on the counter and stared out the window over the sink as if matters of great importance were taking place in the back yard.
"I liked you, too." She couldn't help but laugh a little. "Obviously."
His own laugh was tinged with a bit of embarrassment. "Yeah, I kind of got that." He mirrored her position as he leaned next to her. "We all liked you, though."
The heat in her face threatened to burst into a brush fire. Of course they all liked her. She put out, right? Lips tight, she kept her gaze on the overgrown grass near the fence.
"You were easy to like. You were gorgeous, funny, smart, all those things. But most of all, you were nice." A chuckle rumbled from his throat. "I don't think I ever heard you say a bad thing about anyone."
A different kind of warmth bloomed in her chest, the warmth of surprise and gratitude. "Thanks, Les. I think that's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me."
"It's true." One shoulder lifted in a slight shrug. "Look, I know there was talk, but I hope you know it was just from dumb shits you rejected."
"Yeah, that." She employed her own half-shrug. "I never bothered with things the guys said. I knew none of it came from the boys I really dated. And that kind of thing's common, right? Like in The Breakfast Club."
"Do what?" He turned a bemused smile her way.
"You know, that movie. Brian didn't have sex with Claire, but he wanted Bender to think he did.
" She smiled at Les's nod of recognition.
"So that crap never got to me. It was the girls who were the worst. They knew none of that locker room talk was true, but they took it and embellished it and then spread it around until it was gospel. "
Les cleared his throat. "Not everyone believed it. You knew that, right?"
"No," she whispered.
"Well, hell." He put his arm around her shoulders and squeezed.
"I'm sorry, Rhett. But you know what? Fuck 'em.
" Her surprised giggle brought a grin to his face.
"Fuck everyone who treated one of the nicest girls in town as anything less.
You go right on to Dallas and have yourself a ball, hear?
" Unexpectedly, he leaned over and pressed a warm kiss to her cheek.
"Go have the life you always wanted. You deserve it. "