“Oh,” Hayley said dumbly.
Thinking quickly after having such a surprise dumped on her, she looked back up at the manager. “Do you... do you have paper and a pen I could use? I’d like to write him a proper thank-you note, and would you ensure that he receives the brownies then, since you say I have him to thank?”
If anything the manager looked even more discomfited. He fidgeted and appeared very nervous, but eventually he gave in with a nod, returning behind the counter and then producing a single sheet of paper and a pen.
She set the brownies down on the counter and then picked up the pen, positioning the paper just so. Biting into her lip, she gave herself a brief moment to assemble her thoughts and figure out what to say, and then she began writing. A minute later, she folded the paper carefully and then set it atop the plastic container holding the brownies.
“Thank you for seeing that he gets this,” she said softly.
“You’re quite welcome, Miss... Hayley,” he amended. “Now are you ready to see your apartment?”
Her smile was instantaneous. “Oh yes, I can’t wait to see it. I’m already packed and ready to go. All I need are the keys and a quick look around, and then I’ll go back and fetch my belongings and move in today.”
He smiled indulgently and then gestured toward the bank of elevators just down a short hallway leading to a fire exit. Hayley was surprised to see two elevators when she wasn’t sure if there would be even one. Some of the other apartment buildings she’d inquired into had more floors but only one elevator. It would appear the owner had the convenience of his tenants in mind when remodeling the building. It was an older building, but it only showed its age on the exterior, so it wasn’t likely the original model had two elevators.
When they reached the elevators, she was further surprised to see a single elevator set off to the side away from the other two. Miles must have seen her perplexed look because he offered an explanation.
“It’s strictly for the use of the owner,” he explained without going into further detail or explanation.
He ushered her inside, and once more she was taken aback by the fact that the elevator appeared new and state-of-the-art. It was also fast. They zipped to the top floor in no time at all. So far Hayley wasimpressed greatly by her new home and she hadn’t even been inside her apartment yet.
When they got off, Miles turned to the right but she saw two other units to the left, spaced wide apart. It appeared there were only three apartments on the fifth floor, and hers was the one all the way down the hall. An end unit. Even more wonderful. Less chance of disturbing any neighbors when she practiced her violin. Was this perfect or what? It certainly seemed too good to be true.
Miles inserted the key and explained that one key opened the regular lock while another was for the deadbolt. As soon as he opened the door, she was greeted by the smell of... new. New paint. New everything. He showed her how to operate the deadbolt and pointed out the chain, which appeared to be sturdy and not easily broken, a fact she was grateful for.
She sucked in her breath when they ventured farther into the apartment. He’d said small, but the living room was spacious. By New York apartment standards, at least. There was a galley kitchen, but she was fine with that. It was perfect for one person and she could cook and bake comfortably within the confines of the small kitchen. The living room was magnificent, though.
She walked from the kitchen into the living room and noted that the hardwood floors gleamed, obviously new and not cheap by a long shot. It was good-quality real wood, giving the place a homey, comfortable feeling.
The furniture, however, surprised her the most. It too was brand-new and extremely comfortable looking. Nothing like the often threadbare furniture that adorned so many furnished apartments, used who only knew how many times and abused in any number of ways. There was no musty smell to indicate old or dirty. Everything reeked of being brand-new and not just new but quality. High quality.
It puzzled her because with the insanely low rent being charged for the apartment, she wouldn’t have expected it to be furnished at all. But so far everything was positively luxurious.
Miles looked expectantly at her. “Would you like to see the bedroom?”
In her awe over the kitchen and spacious living room she’d completely forgotten about the bedroom and the bathroom. She nodded eagerly and followed him through the doorway into the bedroom.
Once again her jaw dropped because the bedroom was nearly opulent. It looked... feminine. Almost as if it had been designed and furnished with a woman in mind. But surely that was impossible. How could they know whether their prospective renter would be male or female?
The bed was positively sumptuous and queen size! She sat on the mattress with a bounce and nearly groaned in pleasure as the softness immediately molded to the contours of her body. It was like sitting on a cloud. She couldn’t imagine what it would be like to sleep on.
Her gaze scanned the rest of the furnishings to see a vanity and a wardrobe but also an open closet that was almost large enough to be considered walk-in, another oddity. There was no way she could fill all of the space provided for storage with her meager belongings.
Reluctantly she rose from the decadent mattress and walked toward the bathroom. By now, nothing should surprise her, but despite that thought, she was surprised. There was a claw-foot tub against the far wall as well as a separate shower stall that was huge. There was even a double sink and a tall cabinet against the opposing wall where towels and other necessities could be stored.
It was as if the owner had accounted for every possible need when renovating and furnishing the apartment. Why would he offer such a low rent when he could easily fetch four times as much—and even at four times the current amount, the apartment would be snatched up within hours.
She didn’t have the answer to that question, but she wasn’t about to overlook her sudden good fortune. With only three days until she would be homeless, her circumstances had certainly been dire, and to have this opportunity suddenly land in her lap was truly an answered prayer.
Reluctant to leave the confines of the apartment that was now hers, but knowing she needed to go collect her belongings so she could move in and settle, she walked back toward the living room.
“Thank you for showing me around, but I really need to go now. I need to get my things so I can move in.”
“A driver is waiting outside to take you home. He will help carry your belongings out of your apartment and assist you in bringing them up to your new apartment,” Miles said. “It’s the same driver who took you home the other day.”
Hayley flushed. “I couldn’t possibly accept your offer. It’s too much and I don’t want to be a bother. I don’t have much to move, so it won’t take me long. I’ll just get a taxi.”
As before, Miles said the same thing.
