Chapter Eleven
MARLOWE
The day after the open house, Marlowe was pouring herself a cup of coffee in the break room when Landon popped in. He was the last person she wanted to see. They’d been dancing around each other since her return. She tightened her grip on her red mug. What would he do if she tossed this at him?
But she’d be leaving soon. Best to keep things under control.
“How did your open house go last weekend?” As usual the man was wearing a heavy dose of expensive cologne. Did he realize that it had the opposite effect? Backing away, she tried not to gag. Maybe one of the guys would walk in. No way did she want to get into a private conversation with Landon.
“Everything went well. We have a solid offer.”
Reaching around her, Landon slammed a coffee cartridge into the machine so hard, Marlowe thought it might burst open. “Yeah, Shari told me.”
“She did?” Usually Shari wasn't in this early.
“Yep, and she also came on strong about cutting you in on the Port Royal sale.” Landon did not sound happy but Marlowe felt her heart lift.Go, Shari!His tone told her that he viewed her portion of the sale as a gift. Now, that was really annoying.
“A cut, Landon? Bobby and I signed papers called a contract.”
“You weren't returning my calls.”
She turned to face him. Of course. Was that the real reason? His feelings were hurt? “If you wanted to reach me…if you had any questions about the Port Royal listing…you could have emailed. I was busy with my family. You purposely went behind my back with Jenna. You were out of line.” She was on thin ice here. This was the man who owned the company.
But I am leaving.Her departure was beginning to feel very real.
His face had turned as red as her mug. “Is something wrong?”
Her eyes zipped to the door. Was this really happening? Thank goodness the doorway stood empty. “Maybe you didn’t get my earlier email before I left town. All those comments about your fractured marriage? Your lame flirtations, telling me my clothing fit so well. That you loved my smile and wish I smiled only for you.”
Landon now wore the little boy smile that must have worked with some women. “What if I meant it?”
Marlowe came closer, so close that she saw the nauseating hairs he’d failed to clip from his nostrils. “When are you going to realize that these unwanted, stupid comments are sexual harassment?”
The empty mug fell from Landon’s hand with a crash.
And with that she flounced out of the break room and almost ran smack into Jenna. “Have a good weekend?” Marlowe asked brightly. Boy, she was feeling good.
“Yes, great weekend.” Jenna's eyes sparkled. Marlowe sincerely hoped that Landon was not the reason. That man was trouble, with his innuendoes and lies. And right now he wasprobably making a call to housekeeping to clean up his shattered mug.
“Good. It’s always good to have a break from business.” What was she babbling on about? They both knew that realtors worked on weekends. And Jenna by now realized that she was no part of Marlowe’s open house. Right now, Jenna had what…one listing? And that was a starter house in an outlying area. Leaving the two of them in the break room, Marlowe hurried back to her office.
Sitting down at her desk, she began to work through the paperwork for the Donatello house. Shari was right. That was such a perfect cottage in so many ways. Sure, Marlowe could see herself having coffee seated at that pool in the morning. Her family would come down to visit. She would decorate those guest rooms perfectly for them. For a few seconds she let herself dream.
Stop it!Hadn’t that been her original plan when she first moved to Naples? Aunt Cate, Sam and Izzy would fly down and they would all have a wonderful time together. But that had not happened. Everyone was busy with her own life. Her own responsibilities. If one person could come, the other two couldn't. Family gatherings in Naples had been nothing more than a dream.
Last Christmas had been perfect. Engineered by her conniving aunt, they’d all been together. Although the heavy snow had snarled the streets of the small town, it set the scene for a perfect holiday.
Marlowe missed the snow. Missed having red cheeks from the brisk wind, instead of the feverish flush cause by the humid Florida heat. Coming back to Florida after all that fresh air had been tough. But she didn’t plan to be here for long.
Her fingers flew as she continued to work on Shari’s offer. Yes, that house in Olde Naples was darling and in such a great area, but it was not the key to Marlowe’s future. Just as men likeLandon were not meant to be part of her future. How she would hate to watch another young woman be victimized by his lies. What story was he using now?
Shari appeared in the doorway. Marlowe had never known her to show up this early in the day. Her hair was pushed back from her face and her bright eyes twinkled. Face flushed, she reached up to smooth her hair. Marlowe motioned her into the office and Shari closed the door.
“Darn it. I'm missing an earring.” Shari’s giggle surprised Marlowe. Shari was not a woman who giggled. She slid into the chair across from Marlowe’s desk. “I want to get my condo on the market as soon as possible, and I'd like you to handle it. I have a couple of things going right now that are distracting me.”
“Thank you. I’d be honored to list your condo.” How fun to see Shari this way, almost as if they were girlfriends. “What’s distracting you?”
Shari’s face softened. “Decorating my new home. Isn’t this crazy? I can’t wait.”
