Page 49 of Out of the Shadow

King surveys the landscaping, which was done to my specifications. The bright colors diffuse the formality of the property. He turns his head to study me. “You know, you’re right. I loved the way the house looked when we first came here, but these touches really do echo what’s going on inside.”

I beam at his praise. “I’m hoping this will bring in the right buyers.”

I grab my briefcase from the backseat, and we make our way to the front door. Tessa opens it before I can knock. “So glad to see you. They’ve been here for at least an hour and all I want to do is get out.”

I peek inside, and sure enough, the show’s crew mills around. Juggling all my paperwork for today’s showing, I reach out and clasp her hand. “Don’t you worry. I’ve got this.”

She nods and ushers us into the house. From the foyer, I nod at King. “Let’s start right in here.” We put all our stuff down on the table and I turn to Tessa. “Why don’t you and Gil go out and enjoy this glorious day? Hit the beach or do some shopping. We’ll be done around four.”

Gil walks up in time to catch my last remark. “Thank you, Angie. We’ll leave you to it.” Which means I’m officially in charge of the largest mansion I’ve ever been inside, with a bunch of television show people, caterers, and one semi-clueless co-star. Taking a deep breath, I begin the preparations.

WITH ONLY THIRTYminutes left, I shake the last group of prospective buyers’ hands. Open Houses always take a lot out of me, but this one has been the hardest, hands down. The sheer size of the property combined with all the extra people—including musicians—has been nerve-wracking. Everyone’s commented on the beauty of the property, and the strolling violinists have proven a favorite, but no one has asked to make a follow-up appointment.

On the bright side, I handed out my card to every one of the people who came through. Hopefully, I can snag one or two of them as new buy-side clients.

“No takers, huh?” King looks as bedraggled as I feel.

“Not yet. But there’s still time.”

“And then we have to go see Hunte,” he grumbles.

Guess he lost that battle with Kaitlyn, as I suspected he would. I place my hand on his bicep—above where his tribal armband tattoo lies beneath this shirt. “I’m sorry. Maybe things will be different this time?”

He scoffs. “Only if you have a miracle in your back pocket. Maybe if you sell this house today, I’ll take it as a good omen.”

A few weeks ago, I might have assumed he was mocking me, but now I hear the hurt underlying his words.Damn it. I can’t stifle my need to help him heal the rift with his family.

We’re both brought out of our heads when the front door flies open and Milo rushes forward to capture the newest prospective buyers on camera. Showtime again. I cross the foyer, hand outstretched to the group of five people walking into the foyer. “Hello, and welcome to Views of the Ocean. My name is Angie Russo, and I’m the listing agent. And this is my, er, colleague, King Hunte.”

The parents introduce themselves and their three children, who range in age from eight to thirteen. Perfect for this house. Although the eldest daughter gives King the once-over. Twice. The attention she gives him reminds me of the celebrity crushes I had at that age, and I can’t help but smile as I start the tour.

The wife and eldest son seem really into the house, which encourages me to ramp up my campaign in a very low-key sort of way. A delicate balance, to be sure, but it seems to be working.

After touring all the bedrooms and the pool and gardens outside, we end up in the kitchen, where chocolate chip cookies await. Although we have catered plenty of delicacies today, I firmly believe there’s nothing so comforting as a warm chocolate chip cookie. These are hot from the oven, and the concept is elevated by the accompanying shot glasses of milk. The whole family partakes.

The father, a Chief Financial Officer for a big firm in New York City, pulls me aside. “I can tell that my wife and kids love this place.” He consults the brochure I handed to him at the door. “It’s on the market for five million.”

I nod, my spidey-senses jumping into gear. Could he be about to make an offer?

“That seems fair, especially with the heliport. How about this? I can pay you in cash in three weeks so long as you don’t tell my family. I want it to be a surprise for when the kids finish up school.”

His words don’t compute. Full asking price? In cash? I blink five times and swallow, aware of Milo hovering. I lean forward. “That sounds great. I’ll need to double-check with the Maguires to be sure they can be out in three weeks, but assuming they’re flexible, you have a deal. Are you working with an agent?”

“No. We saw your ad online.”

Warmth spreads throughout my body. They will now be one-hundred percent Russo Real Estate buyers! Suppressing my excitement, I open my leather portfolio and hand him a Buyer’s Agreement and an offer document. “You’ll have to sign some paperwork today”—I pretend to zip my lips—“but I can keep your secret.”

“Great.”

Oh. My. God. This never happens to me. Ever. Full asking price,in cash? I do a small fist pump out of his eyeshot. He takes the paperwork into the family room, while I return to the rest of the family.

Shortly, I catch sight of the father lingering near the entrance to the kitchen. I excuse myself and take the documents from him in a covert move that would have made James Bond proud. As he makes his way back to his family, I do a quick look, and yup, it’s all there. I slip them into my portfolio and return to the group.

Smiling, I ask, “Does anyone have any more questions about the property?”

When they all shake their heads, King and I lead the family through the house and out the front door. When it closes behind them, I rest my back against it, savoring the way the solid wood grounds me. My mind reels from the largest sale I’ve ever made—and what I can do with my slice of the commission!

King crosses his arms over his chest. “The Open House is officially over. Too bad we didn’t get an offer, but I think we certainly made a splash.”

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