She flips her brown hair over her shoulder and punches a code into the lock box on the door. “Perfectly normal. It’s a big life change.”
“One I’m ready for.”
“Take a look around and let me know if you have any questions.”
“Thanks.”
The house is different from the pictures. I’m not sure if they made it look better for pictures and then moved things back, but it’s different. There’s more furniture in here which makes it look that much smaller. The walls are painted a bright purple color.
“This is quite the choice in paint,” I tell Heather before walking into the kitchen.
“Definitely something you’d want to change. But the kitchen is fabulous.”
“You’re not wrong.”
It’s completely renovated—and stunning. Marble countertops. White subway tile. Light gray cabinets with a darker gray on the bottom. New hardwood floors throughout. Stainless steel appliances.
“Think you could get over a purple living room for this?”
I smile at her. “I think I could manage.”
She follows me around the rest of the house as I take ineverything about the small house. The bedroom isn’t as nice as the kitchen—it doesn’t look like they made many updates to the small room, but I like this place and it’s in budget.
“What do you think?” Heather asks when I come back in the living room.
“I like it. Let’s see the other one.”
“You got it. It’s only a few houses down if you want to walk?”
“Sure.”
It’s a cloudy fall day, but it’s an easy walk around the corner.
“I think you’ll really love this one,” Heather tells me. “It was only just listed last night, which is why I haven’t sent it to you. I got in early with the other realtor, so if you like it, we’ll have to move fast.”
“Does that mean it’s good?” I’m excited.
“I’ll let you decide.” Her smile is bright as we turn the corner and the house comes into view.
“Oh my God. It’s gorgeous.”
A gray, hardwood house overlooks a small hill behind it with views of the city. The front door is a bright pink that welcomes you inside.
“Just wait until you see the interior.” She pushes the door open and lets me go in first.
“Oh my God. Are you kidding?”
The open floor plan flows from the living room through to the kitchen and toward a back deck I can see from the entryway. The living room is focused around a black, stone fireplace.
“I knew you’d love it.” Her phone buzzes. “Sorry. I need to take this. I’ll be right back.”
“Sure, sure.” I wave her off as I head into the kitchen to check it out. It’s like the other house, but better somehow.I don’t know if it’s the gold fixtures, the window that overlooks the sweeping backyard, or the fact that the living room walls aren’t purple, but it’s perfect.
I can imagine walking in here after a long day of work, eating dinner at the island, and then cozying up by the fire with a good book.
It’d be even better with Marcus.
God, I hate myself for even thinking that thought. I don’t even know where it came from.
