Page 116 of Enchanting the CEO

"That's true," Celia conceded, "but you'll have, like, zero space to put a bed and a couch."

"I'll just buy a pullout."

"They're terrible to sleep on."

"Hey, I didn't bring you here to be a grinch.”

"No, I'm just being the voice of reason," she said.

"Can you be my champion?"

She smiled, and I was certain she'd say yes, but then her smile fell. "No, because that right there is black mold, and over my dead body will you move in here."

I sighed, turning around and inspecting the crack in the ceiling she was pointing at. Yep, that was definitely black mold. "Fine. Let's go to the next appointment.”

I'd texted Gabe with pictures of the earlier apartment we saw and this one, but he hadn't said a word.

"Let me know what you guys decide," the realtor said. "We’ve got another group coming to see the place in five minutes." His smile was polite, but his words clearly indicated he wanted us to vacate the premises.

"Sure, we'll be out of your hair," I said.

I glanced around a bit at the others looking to rent here. No one seemed impressed with the place, but I bet they were still considering it because the rent really was great.

As we stepped out, my sister said, "Hit me with what you've got."

I showed her the rest. "Two more." The next one was in the same neighborhood.

"The next place isn't far away." She pinched her nose, looking around.

"Please stop being like that."

"I'm trying, but this is a depressing neighborhood."

That’s because it wasn't really a residential area, more of a commercial one with only a few units used for apartments.

“I’d only be here for a short while till I get back on my feet."

She sighed, taking my arm. We arrived at the next apartment twenty minutes later. My palms were sweaty as we walked to the front door. This one was on the ground floor too. I discovered they were the cheapest options, probably because there were always problems with the view or the lighting.

I knocked, but there was no answer. I put my ear to the door. There were no voices inside.

"The realtor isn't here yet," I said.

"Uh-huh."

I glanced at my sister. She was typing on her phone. "Shit, you need to go already?"

"No, no," she said a bit too quickly.

"Okay." I peered through the window. There wasn't much to see because there were bars on it. "From what I can tell, the place isn't too bad. I wonder if I can get the landlord to take out the bars."

"I think they're there for protection," she said, "which doesn't bode well for the neighborhood, if I'm honest. But let's see. Maybe the inside will win me over."

I smiled. "You finally decided not to be a grinch anymore."

She smiled, and it seemed almost a bit guilty. I took some more pictures and sent them to Gabe.

"I don't know why he's not answering," I said as I stood on my tiptoes, trying to make out what that huge shadow next to the fridge was. Just a trick of the light?

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