My bank account sure as hell prayed that it would be. Giving Levi personal attention meant my colleagues were assigned more of the walk-in clients, and I hadn’t cashed a commission in over a month. Funds were dangerously low, and the upcoming payment due to Mom’s care facility was breathing down my neck.
With the soundtrack of my heels clicking on marble flooring, I poured all my energy into making the most finicky client I’d ever had the misfortune of working with fall in love with this listing.
I gestured toward the glass wall that spanned the length of the living room. “As you can see, this house features floor-to-ceiling windows facing west, providing the most stunning sunset views over the water.”
Levi assessed the feature with an appraising nod and a hum.
I couldn’t tell if he liked it or hated it.
Okay, moving on.
“In here, we have a chef’s kitchen, complete with stainless steel appliances.”
His eyes narrowed. “Is that anelectricstove?”
My stomach bottomed out.
Oh no. Not again.
Holding on to the thin thread of my patience by the skin of my teeth, I gritted out, “Yes.”
Tsking, Levi shook his head. “That won’t do. I need gas.”
For fuck’s sake, I’d buy him a goddamn gas stove if that’s what it took to close the sale.
He placed both hands on the quartz countertop, his gaze scanning the room. “I don’t know about this one, Arizona. It feels too small. I mean, it only has three bedrooms. My house in Connecticut had five.”
My jaw clenched so hard I swore I heard a molar crack.
Keep it professional. Bills are piling up, and you need this commission.
I’d half convinced myself to grin and bear it until Levi spoke again.
“And there’s no infinity pool. That’s a must-have for me.”
Fuck it. I’ve had enough of this shit.
Folding both arms over my chest, I said, “Can I be honest with you, Levi?”
My no-nonsense tone, combined with my body language, got his attention, and he straightened. “Sure.”
“I’ve shown you every available property with an ocean view. There are no more after this one. So, if you’re serious about buying a home, I suggest you find a way to get over some of your hangups on the previous listings we’ve seen.”
There was a beat of silence that stretched on for what felt like an eternity before he replied, “You know what? You’re right.”
Relief surged that this nightmare might soon come to an end.
That was, until he declared, “I’ll take the first one we saw.”
I groaned, pinching the bridge of my nose. “That one has already sold.”
“That’s too bad. Guess it’s back to the drawing board.”
Flinging my arms wide, I shouted, “What drawing board? Unless you’re willing to go knocking door to door asking people to sell their homes to you, you’re out of luck.”
To my ultimate surprise, a corner of his lips twitched. “Are we finally done dancing around this, Arizona?”
At a loss, I blinked at him. “Excuse me?”
