“I’d better be careful, or you may have a new favorite girl in your life before you know it.” I bend my knees and let Lillian sniff my hand. She licks it and I proceed to scratch under her chin.
“Then you’ve decided? Are you going to put an offer in?”
“As soon as McMillian gives me the green light, I am. It was never really a question though. As soon as we walked through the front doors, this place felt like home.”
“Well, for your sake, Fashion Guru, I hope it goes through.”
“Me too.”
What I don’t tell Sam is that while he and McMillian were inspecting the kitchen, I stepped out to ring Alice and tell her I’d pay the full asking price for the flat. I didn’t want to lose out on this property. To my shock, she told me she had plenty of room to negotiate and accepted an offer twenty grand below the asking price.
I was worried I was lowballing her, but she hinted that she didn’t need the money. What she’s after is a friendlyneighbor. I’m beginning to wonder just what type of person she might be. We’re due to meet in person later this week to iron out all the nitty-gritty details.
“How did you find this flat?” Sam asks.
“Through Clarissa.” I brush the stray dog hair off my hands and come to a stand. “Alice is her friend’s sister. I got lucky because this place hasn’t been put on the market yet. If it had, I’m sure it would’ve been gone.”
He agrees with me.
“Baker, Minerva . . .” McMillian’s voice rings out.
“Outside,” I holler.
Lillian preens her ears, rolls over to her feet, and pads up to the bifold doors to inspect the newest arrival.
“What’s the verdict, McMillian?” I ask.
He flashes us two thumbs-up. “The place is in pristine condition. I can’t find any faults.”
“Yeah!” I clap my hands together. “I’m so excited.”
“Hello, Lillian, nice to meet you. I’m McMillian.” He extends his hand to the canine to sniff.
“I’m going to cancel the viewing in Forest Gate. No sense in going to see it if this is going to be my new home.”
Sam crosses his arms. “You already put in an offer, didn’t you?”
“Yes.” My cheeks burn. “Is it that obvious?”
“Only to a mind reader like me.” I shoot him a sheepish expression. He shakes his head. “How about we go and celebrate by checking out the neighborhood pub.”
“Are you treating?” McMillian questions.
“I am.” I rub my hands together. “And for our entertainment, Sam’s promised to show me a magic trick he’s been working on perfecting.”
“You do magic, mate?”
Sam shoots me awhy did you have to say that in front of himexpression. “Guilty as charged.”
“Oy. This I have to see. Wait until the rest of the lads hear about this.”
Sorry, I mouth to Sam, hiding a giggle with my hand.
Twenty-Eight
“Mate, you’re levitating! How?” McMillian stares in awe at Sam, who is about a foot away from us.
Amused pubgoers are also staring. I tilt my head to the side. From where I’m sitting, it does indeed appear as if Sam is floating. That isn’t possible though. I study his body carefully. I don’t see anything that appears out of the ordinary.
