“Okay. I’ll offer a discount.” Elvira made a clicking sound with her teeth. “How about ten percent below market rent?”
“For Elvira, it sounds like a generous offer,” Pete joked.
“Darn tootin’ it is.”
“You’re free to move into Luigi’s efficiency,” Carlita offered. “I would love it if you stayed even though it might be a little tight for two people.”
“As much as I appreciate the offer, tight is right,” Luigi said. “Dernice and I will need more space. This place is in the perfect location.”
“And Elvira is offering a discount,” Mercedes said.
“Brand spanking new to boot,” Tony chimed in.
“When?” Dernice asked.
“When what?”
“How soon will you start the renovations?”
“Next week. I have the quote on my desk. If you tell me you and Luigi want it, I’ll sign on the dotted line and get the ball rolling.”
“Let’s discuss this in private.” Luigi grasped his betrothed’s arm and whisked her into the other room.
Although Carlita could hear them talking, their voices were too low to hear what was being said.
Finally, they returned.
“We’ve discussed it at length.”
“After careful consideration, Dernice and I are ready to negotiate,” Luigi said. “But first, we have questions.”
Chapter 6
“Negotiate?” Elvira lifted her chin. “Either you’re interested in me turning this into an apartment or you’re not.”
“The fact of the matter is…I know you, and I also know you have a reason for everything you do,” Dernice said. “In other words, there are strings attached.”
Her sister mustered up her best offended look. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“I love you, but you aren’t going to sink money into an apartment without having an ulterior motive.”
“I can’t do something nice because I want to?”
“Sure, you can. Anyone can, but it’s not in your DNA.”
Carlita covered her mouth to hide her grin. Dernice was onto Elvira, putting her on the spot. Negotiating at its finest, at least as far as the conniving woman was concerned.
“Fine. Maybe I figured I could have a nice little income stream. There’s a lot of space up here and I could easily turn this into a three-bedroom, two-bath unit.”
“Three two,” Luigi repeated. “So it’s gonna be a lot more expensive than what Carlita charges me for my efficiency.”
“Real estate is at a premium, especially here in Savannah’s historic district. You’ll still be close to work, close to shopping, restaurants, not to mention public transportation. Everything is right here at your fingertips. You’ll have your own space yet be close to all the action.”
“You sound like a commercial,” Tony joshed. “Selling your own sister on your project.”
“I could leave it like it is,” Elvira said. “But it seems like a missed opportunity and a waste of valuable space.”
“So you don’t have some other secret agenda?” Her sister eyed her suspiciously.
