Page 109 of Sort of Seeing Someone

Finally, it makes sense. Gerda had Exexveei.

“Speaking of closing the deal, here’s the fob to your new home.”

My body freezes up as I try to process that the official handover is happening.

“That is, assuming youwantthe unit?”

I continue to say and do nothing.

“Look, if this is about the second bathroom not having a tub, we can certainly add one,” he assures me.

“No, the unit is perfect as is. It’s just…quite the gift. This used to be nothing more than a string-lit little beach shack in which someone died. Now it’s…it’s a work of art. It’sreallywell done, Phil.Gerda would be so proud. You should really quit the ad agency gig and pursue this full time.”

Not the defunct witch giving out business advice...

A humble smile washes across his lips as his eyes gaze down to the ground. Once again, he reaches out with the fob. This time, I don’t hesitate in taking it.

When I arrive to the panel discussion, Sam and Kathy are there to greet me with a mimosa. I decline as I hold up my coffee. They instead offer me a heart-shaped croissant, which I happily take as I spotYas wearing another bright orange athleisure ensemble sitting in a clear acrylic chair facing a projector screen. She moves her purse off the one next to her and taps the seat to summon me over.

“Happy Valentine’s Day, girl.”

“You too,” I say, giving her a hug.

“Okay, everyone,” Kathy claps her hands and addresses the room. “Thanks so much for joining us here this morning. We’re just about to get started with our panel of experts from all over the country. These people are here to do a live Q&A, so ask any questions you may have about the building’s structure. We want to assure you, should you put in an offer, everything will be just fine.”

“Everything will be just fine.How’s that for some famous last words?” Yas whispers to me with a nudge. “These are all going to be hired actors, I’m calling it now.”

It doesn’t take long before a hand raises in the audience.

“Sir, go ahead,” says Kathy, calling on the man.

“I thought there was going to befourexperts. There are only three people here.”

“He’s right,” whispers Yas. “Whoever it was probably got booked for a Crest commercial last minute and had to bail.”

“Thank you for your observation,” Sam chimes in. “Flying in the country’s top experts is no easy feat. It may be beautiful here, but in other parts of the country there are…weather delays.”

“Weather delays?” whispers Yas. “Come on.”

Just when we are doubting the legitimacy of this whole thing, in barges a man breathing heavily as he rushes to find his seat next to the other panelists.

“My sincerest apologies for being late,” he speaks to the room. “All flights out of Chicago were at a complete ground stop this morning. Snowmageddon.”

“He’s too young and too cute to be an expert,” Yas whispers. “This one is an actor for sure.”

I can barely process her latest commentary as my eyes are trying to process thatOlliehas just entered the chat.

“No worries,” says Sam. “Go ahead and introduce yourself to the crowd?”

“Greetings, all. I’m Olrik Zetterlind. I am employed by WorldEnge and have my PhD from Harvard. I’m currently the Acting Civil Engineer at The Brockmeier Hotel in Chicago, but I’ve worked in San Diego before and actually am quite familiar with this very building.”

“Thanks so much for being here,” Sam says. “We’re so lucky WorldEnge was able to match us with you at the last minute and that The Brockmeier was generous enough to let us borrow your expertise for a morning.”

“What do you think?” Yas whispers. I don’t have the wherewithal to explain how insanely full-circle this is right now, so I just shrug my shoulders and keep quiet.

“Mr. Zetterlind, seeing the physical space with your own eyes, what is your initial impression of the new building?”

Forty-five minutes go by and between Ollie and the three other experts in the room, the panel has successfully convinced Yas that the investment would be as solid as the structure itself. I feel the same, except I’m basing my conviction off just the last five minutes, which was when the shock of seeing Ollie in the flesh finally subsided enough for me to be able to minimally concentrate on the actual discussion.

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