“Thankyou very much,” the young woman replied with a pretty smile, hooking her armaround the young man’s before they took themselves on a tour of the house.
Iducked into the kitchen and put the phone back to my ear. “Sorry about that.I—”
“Realestate, huh?Thatsounds like fun,” he mentioned sarcastically,obviously having overheard. “I bet you’ve seen all kinds of shit.”
“Uh,what?” I stammered, laying a hand on the cool granite countertop.
“Howmany cat ladies have you dealt with?”
Whatthe hell is this guy on? “I don’t—”
“Hoarders?”
“I’msorry,” I interjected, pressing my fingers to my temple. “Can we please nottalk about my career right now, and instead discuss the reason for my writingto you?”
“Right,”he replied, his voice gruff. “Sorry. So. I have a kid. That’s unexpected.”
Inodded. “I can only imagine how shocking this must be for you. I … I honestlyhave no idea why Sam wouldn’t have—”
Iwas interrupted by the sound of rustling and glass clinking on glass. “Fuck,”he grumbled into the phone, and then added, “Sorry. Can I call you back?”
“Uh,I—”
“Yeah,I know. Really inconvenient timing, I got it. But listen, I thought I couldhave this conversation without alcohol, but I really don’t think I can. I needto run to the store and grab some.”
Partof me wanted to roll my eyes at the interruption, but then, I couldn’t say Iblamed him. “Yeah, sure. I should be getting back to work anyway. Maybe you cangive me a call tonight, around six?”
“Oh,Tabby,” he chuckled lightly, using a nickname I hated and hadn’t heard since Iwas a child. “It’s a date.”
***
Mrs.Worthington held Sandy, all nestled in the crook of her arm as she stroked thesoft fur along his back. “I’m worried I’ll never sell this darn house,” shesighed with a gentle shake of her head.
“Don’tworry,” I assured her. “Sometimes offers come in a day or two later. It’llhappen.”
Honestly,I wasn’t sure who I was lying to more; her, or me.
Nota single person had expressed interest in the place. A few stragglers had walkedin, searching for a free doughnut or a cup of coffee. A handful of couplesshowed up too, but not a single one approached me with a serious offer. A fewtook brochures but that was where the intrigue stopped.
Hopewas dwindling.
Greysongrabbed for another doughnut and I held out a hand to stop him. “Hey, we’ll beeating dinner soon.”
Rollinghis eyes, he reached over my outstretched hand. “I’ll eat doughnuts fordinner.”
“You’rekilling me, Grey,” I grumbled with a sigh, laying my hands over my face.“Anyway, Mrs. Worthington, don’t worry. Iwillsell this place, even ifit’s the last thing I do, okay? Trust me. I’ve never failed a customer yet.”
Butwasn’t there a first time for everything?
Thewhite-haired woman smiled and continued to stroke the chinchilla. “I trust you,honey. Go home and get some rest. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Collectingmy paperwork, bag, and nephew, we left and drove home in silence. Silence wasbetter than fighting, and when we got home, I offered to order a pizza to saveus the inevitable dinner argument. Greyson grunted his agreement before runningupstairs to get some drum practice in.
Droppingdown to the couch, I ordered a pepperoni pie and laid my head back. Staring atthe ceiling, I let myself slip into the painful place of missing my sister.
Shehad made life difficult on me by having Greyson. From the very beginning, I felta responsibility to be the stable sister, to always be someone the kid couldlean on when things got rocky with his mom. But even through the self-imposed pressure,I always loved her. We had a good time together, and she’d been my best friend.
Myphone startled me, as Sebastian’s name popped up on the screen.
