“Blossom, you’re going to walk a hole in this damn floor if you don’t sit your ass down. Move.” She pushed me from the couch and grabbed the throw from my hand. “You do this with every damn house you sell, and it’s for nothing. You got this in the bag, friend.”
After engaging in a brief stare-off, I dropped my head and sighed deeply. She was right, but regardless of how many times I had showcased a home, I didn’t think I would ever not be nervous.
“You got that.” I did one more quick look around the well-decorated room before glancing down at my watch. “The buyer will be here in a moment, and the last thing I want is for him to see me sweat. Let me grab a bottle of water really quick to settle my nerves.”
Eyeing me skeptically, she gave me a stern nod before she placed the throw back onto the couch and retook her seat across the room. It had been three weeks since we had come back from vacation, but you wouldn’t know it from how wound up I’d been. Not only had I been stressed about this house showing, but my personal life too. Between my brother’s antics and now TJ’s denial that we were no longer together, I didn’t know if I was coming or going.
“Get your shit together, Blossom,” I mumbled to myself as I grabbed a bottle of water from the cooler. Taking a sip, I threw my head back, taking deep breaths. Nausea was taking over my body from being anxious all day, and getting sick was the last thing I needed to do in front of a client. “When this is over, take some real time off to get your mind right. A small weekend getaway would do some good.”
My vacation to the Virgin Islands was the best time of my life. Stacy and I ate and drank so much that it was ridiculous. While I wasn’t expecting to connect with a man, the time spent with JJ McKnight was something I would never forget. Since the night he popped up on me at my townhouse, he and I had spoken daily. Popping up was his signature move because, since then, I found him walking into my office or knocking on my front door more times than not, and I liked it. He was so sweet and attentive to me and my interests, always showing up with food, flowers, or a sweet treat. I wouldn’t admit it out loud, but I really like JJ. With TJ refusing to go away, I’d been thinking about falling back from him a little to keep any potential drama at bay.I still didn’t know the underlying issues between them, and I didn’t want to be involved in any of their matters.
The best part of coming home was that it had been weeks since I’d heard or possibly seen my stalker. There hadn’t been any more disturbing calls, pictures or letters taped to my cars, and feelings of being followed—nothing. Life was good, with my only bother being TJ and my conflicted feelings for JJ. JJ was showing me he was nothing like TJ, and that had my stomach in knots. I thought I would feel bad about giving myself to a man that I barely knew, but I’d given TJ my devotion and time, and he turned out to be the biggest threat to my heart. Having sex with JJ proved that losing my virginity was never about TJ deserving it, and more so about me choosing what I wanted for me. And I’d chosen right because just thinking about Dr. McKnight made me hot all over.
Ding! Dong!
Jumping from my thoughts, I hurriedly discarded the water before heading back into the front sitting area to greet my newest client. Wiping my hands dry, I smoothed my slacks, squared my shoulders, and prepared to make this sale.
“Good evening and welcome,” I greeted the handsome man who was engaged in conversation with Stacy when I entered the room. “It’s nice to see you again, Mr. Mitchell.”
“I told you to call me Sean, or Bino.” He frowned, accepting my outstretched hand to shake. Looking around, he nodded in appreciation. “This house is nice as hell.”
“You haven’t seen anything yet.” I grinned, noticing the way Stacy was eyeing him. “Stacy.” She snapped her eyes toward me as if she had been caught. “Would you like to conduct the tour?”
“I don’t know…” She dragged her eyes back up to Sean, who was clearly amused by her antics. “Am I showing this home to a man who’s single, or a man who’s single with a wife, kids, and three girlfriends?”
“Stacy!” I shrieked, eyes wide and mouth on the floor. “Mr. Mitchell, I am so sorry?—”
“It’s all good.” He laughed heartily, waving me off. “To answer your question, Stacy, I’m single.” He smiled at her, causing her to do the same. “I’m talking about you can park your car in the driveway and spend the night with no worries of a bitch flattening your tires in the middle of the night, single.”
“Ohhh! Well, let me show you around then.” He extended his elbow to her, which she happily accepted. “Now, tell me more about how single you are.”
Shaking my head at her, I watched as she led him through the home and showed him the updated appliances and luxury amenities. The house was only five years old in an established neighborhood. When news broke that Highland Meadows was expanding, most of the local realtors scrambled to secure the new houses. I chose to focus on the houses already integrated into the neighborhood, planning to elevate them so they could compete with the new developments. I had done just that with this three-bedroom, two-bathroom house. There was a lot of underutilized character here, from the built-in kitchen cabinets to the red-bricked fireplace to the double-stacked crown molding in every room. The house also had its own pool, fenced-in backyard, a finished basement, a two-car garage, and additional space for an office. There was more than enough space here for a single man who was looking to put down some roots.
As they continued their tour, going down into the basement, I checked a few emails and messages. My mother was constantly sending me updated information on my father’s campaign plans, wanting my opinion or commitment to join them in some cities, so I tried to make sure I was available throughout the day to communicate with her. Noticing a missed call from JJ, I bit my bottom lip. I hovered my thumb over his contact icon beforepressing it to call him back. There was no harm in seeing the reason for his call. It seemed as if he was waiting for me to call back because he answered immediately.
“Bloss Baby.” He rasped into the phone, making me suppress a moan threatening to slip through my lips. “Why am I just now hearing from you? You hiding from me?”
“Well, hello to you, too,Papa.” I smiled like a giddy schoolgirl as I took a seat on the sofa. He loved it when I called him that, and it had grown on me too. “How’s work? Are you being nice?”
One of the things I’d learned about JJ over the last few weeks was that he was mean as hell. There had been times when I’d heard him speak to his associates in a way that made me feel sorry for them, but then his tone would change in an instant when speaking to me. I minded my business about it, but the way he could go from hot to cold to hot again was a skill that came to him naturally, and it had my antennas up.
“Fuck these people.” I could hear the frown in his voice, which made me giggle. “I didn’t call to talk about that. I wanted to check on you and see why I haven’t seen you in two days. You don’t miss a nigga digging in that pussy?”
Clenching my thighs together, I cleared my throat just as Mr. Mitchell and Stacy re-entered the room. They were both smiling and laughing, so I took that as a good sign. Standing, they both locked eyes with me and became silent, seeing as though I was on the phone.
“C-Can I get back to you on that answer?” I replied, remembering I was on the phone with JJ. “I’m in the middle of a showing.”
“If you want to show something, send a picture and show me that pus?—”
“So, what’s the verdict?” I ended the call. Now was not the time for me to be flustered, but that didn’t stop my face fromflushing. Taking a beat, I calmed myself as best as I could while Stacy stifled her laugh. “Do you like this home, or should I find something else?” I asked Sean.
“How soon can I get the keys?” He pulled from Stacy, stuffing his hands in his slacks. “My new friend here said there’s a seafood spot I need to try that will make my mind up for me. If I like the food, we have a deal.”
Clapping with more enthusiasm than I should have, I couldn’t help but smile. Stacy was so personable, but she was also a flirt. Both characteristics were a killer duo with men in the housing market, and since she knew when and how to be professional, I knew she would be just as liked by women in the market too. She didn’t think she had what it took to actually sell houses, but I let her know every chance I could that it was in her. This here proved it.
“I love to hear that. Should you decide to stay, you can have the keys as soon as tomorrow,” I assured him, shaking his hand. Turning to Stacy, I smiled at her as well, as she, in turn, winked. “Let me know what you want to do, and I can make it happen.”
“Bet.” He grinned, pulling his ringing phone from his pocket. “Sorry, ladies, I need to answer this FaceTime.” Once he answered, the loud screaming of children could be heard. “Loon, give me a minute. I’m still looking at this house.”
