Page 48 of Out of the Shadow

He bangs on my door again. I back up two steps even though he can’t see me, wrapping my arms around my middle and shaking my head from side to side.

“I’m here to take you to the Open House.”

“I can drive myself.” The show wanted to send me in a limo, but I turned them down because of the signs and other stuff I’ll need for the day.

“Come on, Angie. Open up.”

He’s not going to leave until I answer the door, but I’m not about to invite him inside, so I gather all my things before opening it. Waiting a beat, I slip out, giving him my back as I lock up. When I’m done, I square my shoulders and face him. “Let’s go.”

A smile crosses his kissable lips—ones I’ve now tasted and know to be delicious—I hurry around his frame and head down the stairs. I need to be far away from this man. Entering the main office, which is empty, I head over to my desk to pick up the brochures for the Open House. After stuffing them into my briefcase, I review the checklist on my desk to make sure I have everything. Satisfied, I head toward the door, very aware of King’s silent presence right behind me.

After putting a sign saying we’re attending to an Open House on the door, I lock up and start toward the parking lot, my car key in hand. King, who’s been silent this whole time, says, “Fine. I’ll let you drive. But I’d like to ride over with you, if you don’t mind. I did everything you asked of me, and wanted to talk about some of your strategies.”

I bite the inside of my cheek. He hasn’t mentioned the kiss, not once since it happened. It must’ve meant nothing to him. Plus, he’s entitled to the benefit of my education and experience.Crap.

“Fine.” He tries to take my briefcase from me, but I increase my speed. He doesn’t object; he simply stays in line with me.

Settled in the car—Open House signs in the trunk—I wait a second for him to buckle his seat belt before getting on the road. “We have to make a stop at The Fiesta Depot before we head over to the Maguires’.”

“What do you need from there?”

“Helium balloons for the signs.” When he tilts his head, I add, “To draw attention to the Open House. We’ll also put them on the mailbox to let everyone know which house is on the market.”

“Oh, right. Makes sense.” I pull into the store’s parking lot. “Want me to go get them?”

I’m exhausted and the day hasn’t started yet. “Thanks. I paid for them already, so you only have to pick them up. They’re red and white. Under Russo Real Estate.” He nods and opens the door. My eyes trail his muscular backside, clad in a pair of black trousers, as he makes his way to the store.

Stop it, Angie!

This man, King, kissed me and I slapped him for his trouble. We have to find a more even keel, especially since we can’t feasibly avoid each other. When he returns and puts the balloons into the backseat for the ride, I let him get settled and say, “King. Let’s forget what happened Thursday night, all right?”

He rubs his stubble, which looks more perfect today than yesterday, if that’s even possible. Not that I should be noticing any of this. “You made me actually enjoy karaoke. I’ll never forget that.”

No mention of the kiss. Yep. Must’ve been forgettable to him. I pull into traffic. “Well, you do have a great voice.”

His large hand strums on his knee. “I guess I can carry a tune.”

Despite my thoughts being so scattered—or maybe because of it—I let out a giggle. “Much better than me, that’s for sure.”

He makes a noise somewhere approaching a snort. “Sorry, Angie. You really should stick with real estate.”

For once, I can’t argue with him. “So, what questions do you have about today’s Open House?”

King peppers me with insightful questions about my plan. He reallydoesseem interested in real estate.

When we’re five minutes out, I ask, “Tell me, King, are you really into real estate or are you just passing the time?”

His hand, which had been resting on his thigh, strums his knee again. “If you’d asked me that question a month ago, I would’ve called you crazy. After taking the test and being in the field for a little while, I have to admit I’m intrigued.”

“It’s an exciting field. You get to help families achieve the future they want, whether they’re looking to start a family, retire, or find a new home base. There’s no other feeling like it in the world.”

I pull over to the curb at a location a strategic distance from the mansion and put out a sign advertising the Open House, tying a couple of balloons to it.

When I return to the car, King faces me, a smile on his oh-too handsome face. “I can tell you love this.”

My body relaxes as I lean into his words. “I do. It’s the best profession in the world.”

I finish the drive to the Maguires’ and put my blinker on to turn into the driveway, stopping at the turnoff to put out another sign, bedecked with the rest of the balloons. Returning to the car, I pick up our conversation. “Take this place. Before, it was happy on the inside and forbidding on the outside.” I point to the new window boxes and the flowers planted along the driveway. “I know you were against adding the flowers, but doesn’t this place look so much warmer now?”

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