Page 37 of Tempt Me

14.

CHLOE

I spend the next week avoiding Max’s calls—and Jase’s flirty messages, too. My head is jumbled in a mess, and I need some space to figure it out.

I don’t understand: how did my life get so complicated?

It should be simple. I have Max’s ring on my finger, and until a couple of weeks ago, I was head over heels for him, excited to start our new life together. Then Jase Banner walks in the door, and suddenly I can’t trust myself anymore.

Except...

That’s not entirely true, a small voice reminds me. I had doubts about how fast Max was moving before Jase ever showed up. This whirlwind romance has been thrilling, but somewhere in the back of my mind, I’ve known it’s off-kilter, like I’m hurtling on a rollercoaster out of control, and I know that sometime soon, I’m heading for the drop.

So is this thing with Jase just cold feet, or a solid sign that I shouldn’t be getting married? Every time I think I have the answer figured out, I second-guess myself again. So instead of driving myself crazy, I focus on work instead: booking every spare minute with viewings and new clients until even Marcie is impressed.

“Another contract exchanged,” she notes when I deliver the paperwork on Friday morning. “My, you’re really stepping up.”

“Just following your example,” I say brightly.

She looks surprised—and pleased. “Well, since you’re on a roll, how about you take one of my listings off my hands? It’s a new penthouse by the river. Top of the line. We just secured the listing.”

“Sure, I mean, thank you for the chance.” I eagerly take the file. This is a first for me. Marcie usually gives me the crappy listings she can’t be bothered to sell, not a prime piece of real estate like this. “I won’t let you down!”

“Perhaps one of Max’s friends would like it,” she adds with a glint in her eye. “The Mainwarings have a big circle here in town. You could invite them all to the open house.”

My enthusiasm fades. “Oh. Yes, that’s a good idea.”

I wonder, is this the only reason she’s given me the listing: so I can sell it to all of Max’s high-flying friends?

As if she can read my mind, Marcie gives me a smile. “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, Chloe. This job is about connections, and it’s time you started using yours. This wedding is the best thing you could do for your career. If I were in your shoes, I’d be using every advantage I got!”

I head back to my desk, downcast. She’s right—and I hate the fact she’s right. Haven’t I seen it all the time? This industry is all about who you know. Agents lock up the best listings because they’re friends with the sellers, or their families have known the buyers for years. So why does it feel cheap and wrong to think about using the Mainwaring connections like that myself?

Because your relationship isn’t supposed to be a transaction. And you don’t want to owe Max anything.

I sigh. Even at work, I can’t escape my dilemma, but I throw myself into the penthouse listing, and soon I have an open house planned for next week, and all the flyers ready to go. I’m so caught up, I nearly miss my next appointment, and have to dash across town to meet the couple viewing a spacious family home in a suburban neighborhood across the river.

“Hi, sorry.” I greet them on the front steps, out of breath. “Let’s get you inside!”

I open the doors for them and collect myself, wracking my brain to remember the details from our call. They’re married, in their thirties, looking for a bigger place together. They didn’t mention kids, just that they wanted something grand and impressive. Well, this place is definitely that.

“Beautiful hardwood floors,” I point out as we tour the place. “And great entertaining space.”

I check for a reaction, and get nothing but bored stares. He’s tapping away on his cellphone, and she’s barely looked at him since the moment they walked in.

“How long have you been married?” I ask, trying to make small talk.

“Five years,” she replies. “Could we take the wall down and expand?”

“I don’t see why not.”

The woman looks around briskly. She reminds me of Sienna, in a way: elegant and perfectly put together. “You hear that, Charles? We should get our architect in.”

“Hmmm.” He’s still on his phone.

“Charles!” The woman rolls her eyes, then snaps her fingers. He finally looks up. “Honestly, you could put that damn thing down for two seconds.”

“I already said today wasn’t good for me to be away from work,” Charles responds through gritted teeth.

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