Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
LEXI
“Well, I may not have seen Joshua Lucas in a while, but he still makes a woman’s heart accelerate.” Melinda fans herself with one manicured hand.
I feel the dread working its way up my body from the pit of my stomach. Melinda is even more beautiful in real life. Plus, she’s funny, sweet and genuinely nice. For some reason, I thought she might be a little stuck up, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
“He’s certainly easy on the eyes,” I agree. “But he’s right, we’re strictly professional.”
I don’t miss the look she gives me. “Uh, girlfriend? I hate to break it to you, but that man out there has the hots for you.”
I almost choke on my own saliva. “W-what? Don’t you guys still have a thing?” I mean, you did grab his tie in a kind of provocative way. Plus, they both shared a couple of moments that made me want to claw the lovely Melinda’s eyes out, bless her.
She stares at me blankly, then bursts out laughing.
“A thing? Oh, you mean a ‘friends with benefits’ situation?” She shakes her head.
“Nope. Not even close. That would be weird since I’m engaged.
” She flashes a massive diamond in front of me and I feel just a little bit better. Relief floods through me.
“Oh, congratulations.”
She beams. “Thanks. I haven’t had the chance to tell Joshua yet, but he knows Peter and we’re very happy. The truth is, Josh and I were always better as friends.”
“He speaks very highly of you,” I say. “I just thought maybe you were still, well, a little more than friends.”
“I can tell you for a fact that Josh is a one woman at a time kinda guy. He wouldn’t be making eyes at anyone else if he really likes you, especially his ex.”
I feel myself flush. “Oh, he doesn't like me like that?—”
“Why do you think that?”
“He’s a professional. We both are. We work for opposite firms in LA.”
She gapes at me. Leaning in closer, she whispers, “Honey? He was making eyes at you right in front of me. And he palmed the back of his neck. He does that when he’s nervous, and I think you make him very nervous.”
“Me?” I squeak.
She laughs. “Why not you? You’re gorgeous, and very personable. Ali talks incessantly about you. Whenever we’ve spoken on the phone, you’re always polite, sincere, and funny. I can see why he likes you.”
I don’t know where to hide my face, but I don’t even have time to answer because a few seconds later, Monica Chase bursts through the front door, shaking her umbrella as she cusses at the rain under her breath.
“Nobody told me about the hot pepperoni,” she gripes. “Where do I find a man like that in LA?” She thumbs behind her and it takes a second to realize she’s talking about Josh.
“Oh,” is all I can manage. I don’t quite know what to say to that. “Hey, Monica, so nice to see you again. That hot pepperoni is, uh, a friend of mine. He was just giving me a ride?—”
“I’d like to give him a ride,” she mumbles. “I don’t have friends who look like that . Is he single?”
Oh, no. Monica Chase could have any guy she wanted, including my Joshie.
My Joshie? Oh boy, I really have lost my marbles.
“He’s not, unfortunately.” Melinda smiles, dazzling the two of us and gives me a little wink when Monica slides her trench coat off. I press my lips together. “Hello, I’m Melinda Malone from Lake Haven Realty.”
Monica shakes her hand. “Good to meet you.”
“Likewise. I wish we could have put on a better day weather wise for you.”
“You can’t win them all.” Monica shrugs. “I guess that’s all part of the charm with being in the country, right?”
“Something like that,” I muse. “I’m hoping it will let up soon.” I know from what Joshua said earlier that it’s not a probability, but I like to always put my best foot forward and air on the side of positivity.
“There’s a beautiful view of the lake from the back porch.
” Melinda’s dazzling smile could light up any dreary day, so could that massive rock on her left hand that sparkles, even in the dull light of this gloomy afternoon.
Maybe I’m just glad she’s engaged and not after Josh.
“I’d love to show it to you, but maybe we’ll save it for last, until the rain stops at least.”
“There’s a lot of house to get through,” I say, rubbing my hands together excitedly. “Should we get started?”
“Lead the way.” Monica tucks a dark strand of her hair behind her ear, her wrist jangling with the gold bracelets ladened all the way up her arm.
They’re the expensive solid gold type, I can tell.
The dark pantsuit she’s wearing and the long charcoal trench coat over her arm scream designer.
And I’m pretty sure that’s a Kelly Birkin hanging off her other arm.
I swallow and gesture for Monica to follow behind Melinda while I gather my gall.
You can do this.
It may be one of our biggest sales to date, but now isn’t the time to panic.
I didn’t have time for my meditation this morning, with being up early and having Josh on my mind from the second my eyes opened. There was no way I was ever going to be able to relax knowing he was mere meters away.
I just hope I’m not going to pay for it and fumble with Ali’s star client. I’m nervous as heck, but she seems to be in a good mood.
She’s just a person like everyone else, I tell myself. Okay, so she may have millions of dollars at her disposal, especially if she can afford this beautiful two-story home on the lake just for her vacation stay, but that shouldn’t mean she’s better than any of us.
Don’t mess this up , I recite to myself. DO NOT MESS THIS UP!
I realize my internal monologue is distracting me from Melinda and Monica, because just as we venture down the expansive hallway that could practically fit a bus down it, they both turn to look at me.
I squeeze my lips together, realizing I’ve not heard the question. Was there one?
Did someone make a joke and I missed it? Monica is as serious as she is talented, so I very much doubt she’s throwing out wisecracks for the fun of it.
Shit. Pull yourself together. I don’t know what’s gotten into me, maybe the pressure of wanting this to go well for Ali, and the fact she’s putting her trust in me.
This would be a massive commission for the firm and a big part of me wants to make Ali proud. I know she appreciates me, and she’s a very good boss, but I want to do this. Show her I can be trusted in her absence.
I went over the notes last night and studied the photos of this house online. I feel like I already know every inch of this place. And I have Melinda here for backup if I need it.
“I’m so sorry,” I say, flailing my hand. “I didn’t quite hear?—”
“The Lucas brothers,” Melinda quickly fills in the blanks. “Monica was just asking if Joshua has a brother.”
“Oh,” I laugh. She definitely has Joshua on the brain. “As a matter of fact, he has two younger brothers.”
Monica raises one of her perfectly shaped brows. “Now that sounds promising.”
I chuckle good naturedly. If I can take her attention away from Josh for five minutes, then I might actually feel like I’ve achieved something.
I figure what better way to get around explaining any more questions to do with the Lucas brothers by bringing the focus back to this luxurious house.
We discover the top floor first. As we take the stairs, I point out some of the features, not trying to overshadow Melinda, but I want to at least act like I know what I’m talking about in front of our client.
“I think the modernness of the interior really reflects the ethereal beauty of lakeside living. It’s almost cinematic and impossible to replicate.
But the way the house nestles into the backdrop of the lake is what I like best, it makes it seem like it really belongs here,” I say.
It truly is modern luxury on the inside, but a very neat lake house with weatherboards on the outside.
I love the way the owners reclaimed the dark mahogany hardwood floors and kept the original cornicing on the high ceilings. Little touches of its history, laced with modern conveniences, have been carefully considered.
“The owners have put such thoughtful detail into the home,” Melinda agrees. “And you’re right, Lexi, it’s modern elegance meets lakeside charm.”
“I like the thought of being able to escape from the world,” Monica says as we round the wrap-around stairs to the top.
There’s a home office plus three bedrooms and three bathrooms up here, including the grand main bedroom with an en suite, boasting an in-home style spa with Carrara marble and a cast-iron tub.
It has its own views of the lake from the private balcony, leading from French doors off the bedroom.
There’s literally a view from every window, even the bathtub.
The two remaining bathrooms are just as opulent as the master suite and each room has a walk-in closet.
“Escaping Hollywood could be right at your fingertips,” I say as Monica casts her eyes around the amazing master suite. She sure holds her cards to her chest, as I have no idea what she’s thinking right now. I catch my lip nervously, trying to gauge her reaction, but it’s impossible.
Shit! Does she hate it?
I thought she’d gasp when we flung the French doors open to her own beautiful view of the sprawling wilderness of Lake Haven, but she remains stoic at best. There’s a slight lip twitch, but no gasps of excitement or any indication she’s even impressed.
How could you not be impressed with this place? I’d give my right arm to live somewhere like this.
I glance at Melinda with a nervous smile. She casks me another wink which is oddly reassuring but exactly what I need right now. Breathe!
The vibes I’m getting from Monica aren’t bad ones, she’s just a hard little cookie to break. I take a deep breath and straighten out my jacket.
Now is not the time to panic. Now is the time to think about what Ali would do in this situation. Should I try to engage with Monica? Or is she used to that in her everyday life and wants to be left alone?All good questions. I just need to find the right answers…