“I guess that’s kind of cute.” Okay, it’s freaking adorable, and honestly as much as this dog drives me nuts, there is a cuteness to the little squished-in face he has. And as he pants, it looks like he is smiling. How can this tiny dog make so much noise?
“I already texted my friend for you. He’ll come out once the insurance company does their assessment.”
“You texted him already? It’s two in the morning.”
“He doesn’t sleep much. Anyway, the sooner the tree is removed, the damage can be fixed.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it. However, I won’t be home when he’s there. I have too much work to do.”
“No problem. I’m here all day working so I can certainly go over there. I’ll call my insurance company in the morning and have someone come out.”
“That sounds great. This couldn’t have happened at a worse time. I am so swamped at work.”
“Do you ever stop working?”
“Does your dog ever stop barking?”
“Wow.” He takes a step back and puts his hands up. “Quite the poisonous tongue you’ve got there.” He makes sure to smile when he says this.
“I try. Besides, you live where you work. I can’t say that.”
“That’s true.”
“Don’t you ever tire of it?”
“Nope. This is my twenty-fourth flip. Let me show you around.”
I just want to go to sleep but he’s already leading me into the kitchen explaining something about quartz countertops and refinishing cabinets. “I really want to make this place come alive. I imagine a family in here baking, maybe sitting at the table playing board games. The plan is to make this flow easily.”
I can see his vision and I must admit, as much as I don’t want to give him kudos, I think it will look great. And then maybe he will sell it fast and move the hell out of the neighborhood. The house has two bathrooms, one of which is completed with a new standing shower with stone walls, reminding me of a waterfall.
“What’s your timeline?”
“Anxious to get rid of me?” He raises an eyebrow as I try not to make eye contact.
“Something like that.” The sooner he’s done with this renovation, the sooner he and his dog can pack up and move onto the next project. Hopefully I’ll end up with a quiet elderly couple as neighbors who never make a peep, not like the previous owners.
“I’m usually in and out in six months. I’m past that mark and still have a decent amount to do. The kitchen has a few months left of work and I still have to work on the front. I just want to make sure this house is perfect.”
I do nothing to hide my yawn.
“Am I boring you?”
“Kind of.” I’m nothing if not honest. “Time is slipping away though, and Ireallyneed a few more hours of sleep.”
“Of course. I’ll let you sleep in my bed.”
“Excuse me?” I amnotsharing a bed with this man. Maybe this isn’t such a great idea.
“Not with me! I’ll sleep on the couch.”
“Oh.” I push the brown locks off my shoulder and avert my eyes from his. What must he think of me? “I can’t take your bed.”
“Yes, you can. It’s my fault you’re in this situation. Besides, I sleep on the couch most nights.”
“Why?”
“Why not? Anyway, let me show you to your room.”
