“So…” I cleared my throat. “Have you given any thought to color?”
He didn’t even react right away. Definitely didn’t jump out of his skin like he didn’t know I was standing here.
He knew I was here.
“Nope.”
“I think the place could use fresh paint, throughout,” I said. “Do you agree?”
“If you think so.”
He didn’t even look at me.
Was he seriously planning to just lounge there, all spread-eagle and sexy, while we had this conversation?
“How do you feel about your furniture?” I asked him.
“Feel?”
“Do you like it? Want to keep any of it?”
“You can get rid of the bed. I need a new one.”
I sat down on the one awkward chair across from him and made a note on my phone about the bed. Though honestly, the bed was the one piece I’d recommend he keep.
“How would you like your home to feel?” I asked.
“I dunno. Like home?” He still hadn’t looked up from his phone.
I tried another tack. “How much time do you spend here, on average?”
He shrugged. “I’m not on tour this year. I’ll be in town working, and I’m not spending as much time at my other place.”
“You have another property?”
“House over on one of the islands.”
Which island?I wanted to ask, but it didn’t feel right. He was famous. If he didn’t voluntarily tell me where his other home was, it hardly felt like my business.
“Is this your primary residence?” I asked instead.
“It is now.”
“How long have you owned this place?”
“Two months. Had a smaller one on the eleventh floor for a few years. Just upgraded when this one came up.”
“That’s a great move. Maybe not the best timing in this market, though.”
He looked at me, finally. His expression was kinda blank, butcoldblank, like he didn’t appreciate my assessment.
I broke eye contact. I glanced around the room, at the white walls, some with scuff marks on them. Original paint, possibly. The place was due for a refresh, and I loved it when potential clients were totally open to my ideas.
But I was pretty sure this one wastryingto make things difficult for me.
“What’s the purpose of this space, besides being home?” I probed. “Like what are the main activities you do here?”
“Sleep. Eat.” He looked me over briefly. “Fuck.” When his blue eyes met mine again… they spoke volumes. Unfortunately, I wasn’t exactly sure what they were saying.
