Why would anyone move here and not have a mountain view? It didn’t make sense.
I had to walk a bit to the first complex. It was downtown, but away from the hustle and bustle, which would be great. I didn’t want to hear people coming from Ben’s bar late at night. By the time I got to the first apartment, my feet ached, and I couldn’t feel my nose. I stopped outside and looked up. It was cute. Old red brick made the building. It seemed more like a duplex than an apartment building; the fewer neighbors I’d have, the better.
There was a cute archway leading up to the black painted door. I knocked, hoping that someone was here. I should have scheduled an appointment to look at places, but I was so excited to get out that I had forgotten about it.
The door opened with a slight creak and an older woman was on the other side, curlers in her hair and a glass of wine in her hand at nine in the morning, too much blush on her cheeks, but a happy smile to greet me as she leaned against the door.
“How can I help you?”
“Is this the place for rent? It says here on my phone it is, but I’m new here so I could be wrong.”
“This is the place. What’s your name, doll? Where are you from? Do you want some wine?”
I’d love some.
“No, sorry, I have to work later.”
“I just retired yesterday, and I’m doing whatever the hell I want,” she lifted her glass with glee. “Come on it. I’m looking to rent the other side for travel money. I have to get out, experience hot pool boys and silver foxes in Europe. So, I won’t be here much starting next month. If anything happened, you’d be on your own. Also, it won’t be ready to move in to for another two weeks. I’m replacing the floors and redoing the bathroom. Well, don’t just stand there in the cold, come on in. Let me get more wine,” she disappeared down the hall to her door and came with a bottle.
I liked this woman.
I followed her up the stairs, listening to her go on and on about her five marriages and how somehow, she had no kids. I was busy inspecting the staircase. The designs etched into the wood were old and so beautiful, I was afraid to touch it.
Until my foot caught on a step, and I nearly fell forward. I gripped the rail for dear life, and the lady didn’t even stop, she kept climbing the steps. I took a deep breath and got my feet up under me and hurried to get behind her. Maybe living on the second floor wasn’t such a good idea for me.
“Alright, this is what the key would look like. Hot, right?” it was a key with a half−naked man on it.
“Steaming,” I said, trying not to smile. This woman was something else. She opened the door, and my breath caught when I saw all the light pouring into the living room from the floor to ceiling windows. “Oh, my God.” I ran inside and spun in circles. “How is this place available?” It had everything, vaulted ceilings, the view, upgraded kitchen with a skylight. I didn’t even care about anything else. “Sold.”
“It’s eight−hundred a month, doll.”
“I’ll pay you a thousand a month if I get to pick the floors.”
“Deal,” she held out her hand, and I shook it. Things were looking up.
After a long day of dealing with Esther, my wine−filled landlord, laughing and signing documents, and giving her the first month’s rent on the spot, it was around seven at night. Time got away from us as we joked and got to know one another. I figured now was a good a time as any to go to Ben’s bar. It wasn’t far, just a few blocks.
When I arrived, the place was just as busy as the other night. I headed to the bar, and badass leather−clad Mary was there. She saw me but didn’t say anything.
“You look cold,” someone said from beside me just as Mary placed my gin and tonic in front of me—in a to-go cup. Funny.
I turned to see a guy about Chris’s height. He had dark red hair and bright blue eyes. Handsome, but not my type. Still, but better than being in the bar alone. “I am. I walked here.”
“You must be a crazy person.”
I laughed and shook my head. “No, just apartment hunting.”
“Cool. Any luck? I found it so hard to find a place because they were all awesome.”
“I landed it the first try,” I said with a cheeky smile.
“Ugh, I’m so jealous.”
“You should be.” Did I just flirt? It felt nice to get my mind off Chris.
“Caden,” he held his hand for me to shake.
“Melinda,” I eyed his hand for a moment before taking the plunge. When our hands met, he rubbed his thumb over my knuckles.
