“I appreciate that. I think I’ve got everything covered, but my brother Michael lives up here and would be the better contact on everything. I wanted to check with you and Brian to make sure he can talk to you if he needs any help.”
“Of course, anything he needs have him call me. Give him my card,” she said, handing it to Lauren.
“Perfect.”
Lauren looked around the office again, taking in the small changes that had accumulated since she left. A new plant in the corner. Updated photos on the wall. A different coffee maker on the small counter by the window. “The place looks great, Nell. You and Brian have really made it your own.”
“We've tried to honor what you built while putting our own stamp on it.” Nell's voice softened. “You know, after the fire, when we rebuilt this place together, I thought that was the hardest thing we'd ever do. But then you told us you were leaving, and I realized that was harder. I didn't know if we could do it without you.”
“And?”
“And it turns out we could. But it took a while to believe that.” Nell reached over and squeezed Lauren's hand. “You gave us the foundation, Lauren. The training, the systems, the confidence. Everything we've accomplished since then started with what you taught us.”
Lauren felt her eyes sting. “That might be the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me.”
“It's the truth.” Nell stood and crossed to one of the desks, returning with a framed photo. “Look at this. From the holiday party last year.”
The photo showed Nell and Brian surrounded by a small group of people Lauren didn't recognize. Clients, she assumed, based on the festive backdrop and the champagne glasses in everyone's hands.
“We closed forty-seven transactions last year,” Nell said. “Our best year ever. And we're on track to beat that this year.”
“I've seen the numbers. What you and Brian have done is incredible.”
“It wouldn't have happened without you. You built something real here, Lauren. Something that lasted. Even the fire couldn't destroy it. We’re just happy we get to be the people who run the place.”
The door chimed, and a man entered, tall and thin with a receding hairline and an easy smile. Brian had been Lauren's second hire, a former accountant who had grown bored with numbers and wanted to work with people instead. He had a gift for the financial side of real estate, explaining mortgages andclosing costs in ways that made anxious buyers feel calm and confident.
“Lauren!” He crossed the room in three strides and pulled her into a hug. “Nell texted me. I couldn't believe it. What are you doing here?”
“Passing through. My brother is waiting outside. We're on our way back from my mother's house.”
“The Andover house?
“All done now. The movers left this morning.” Lauren smiled. “It's been quite a week.”
Brian settled into the chair beside Nell. For the next twenty minutes, they caught up on everything, business and personal, the deals they had closed and the ones that had fallen through, the clients who had become friends and the ones who had driven them crazy.
Lauren found herself relaxing into the conversation, into the easy rhythm of people who had worked together for years and genuinely liked each other. She had been afraid, she realized, that coming back would feel like a loss. That she would regret leaving, regret giving up something she had worked so hard to build.
Instead, she felt proud. Proud of what she had created, proud of the people who were carrying it forward, proud of the legacy she had left behind.
“So,” Brian said eventually, “the Andover house. You’re doing a FSBO?”
“That's right. Michael and I are handling it together.”
“Speaking of which,” Nell said, “have you thought any more about opening an office in Florida? You mentioned it when you left.”
Lauren sighed. “I think about it all the time. But life keeps getting in the way. Olivia's tennis schedule alone is a full-time job. And I wanted to give myself time to adjust before jumping back in.”
“That's smart,” Brian said. “But don't wait too long. TheFlorida market is hot right now. You could do really well down there.”
“I know. Maybe once things settle down. Once the Andover house sells and we get through the summer.” Lauren smiled. “One thing at a time.”
“That's what you always taught us,” Nell said. “One transaction at a time. One client at a time. One day at a time.”
“Did I say that? It sounds very wise.”
“You were very wise. Still are, I’m sure. I have no doubt your mother’s house will have competing buyers. It’ll sell fast.”
