Page 2 of Stuck with my Guarded MVP
"No, I understand things come up, but I’ve been trying to see this place for two weeks." She let out a short huff and pressedher free hand to her forehead. "You said today was the best shot—now you’re saying the end of next week? That’s too late. He’ll already be in town."
She turned slightly, pacing two slow steps toward the window, her heels tapping against the tile. Her other hand gripped the phone tightly.
"No, it’s not for me. It’s for my brother. He just took a job here. He needs to move in and get the place ready before his family arrives."
A pause.
"Yes. I’ve already ruled out the rest of the shortlist. This was the last place I had lined up."
I leaned a little toward the desk. "Arturo, what’s going on?"
He glanced over his shoulder, then back at me. "She’s been apartment hunting for her brother. Apparently, he’s got the financials all cleared, but she insists on seeing any unit in person before he signs."
I looked back toward the woman by the window. She was still on the phone, clearly losing steam.
Arturo continued, a little quieter. "The real estate agent was supposed to meet her here, but they’re a no-show."
"Which unit?"
"2804."
I paused. "That’s only a few floors down from my place."
"Yep," Arturo said. The place is nice. Move-in ready. Honestly, if you’re willing, maybe you could answer some questions? Give her a sense of the building? I feel bad for her, she seems pretty rattled."
I didn’t answer right away. I just turned the package over in my hands and kept watching her.
Her shoulders dropped. She stopped pacing.
"I get it. Things change. I just… was counting on this one."
She exhaled. Lowered the phone. It hung at her side while she looked out the window. Then she said quietly, more to herself than anyone else, "Okay. Back to square one."
And that’s when she turned.
It can’t be.
My breath caught mid-chest. The package shifted slightly in my arms. I tightened my grip on it. A rush of heat rose up the back of my neck, too fast, too sudden, like my body hadn’t gotten the memo that this was impossible.
For one awful second, I thought she was walking toward me. I braced, heart thudding, knees just slightly unsteady.
Then she veered toward the desk.
I stood utterly still, not blinking, not moving, trying to get my balance back. Same warm honey-brown eyes. Same tuck of hair behind her ear. For a second, time folded over itself.
She spoke again. Their cadences didn’t match.
"Hi," she said to Arturo, offering a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. "I’m sorry to bother you. The agent who was supposed to show me the apartment just canceled on me. I’ve been trying to find a place for my brother. He’s moving here with his wife and daughters. This was my last option."
Arturo nodded. Sympathetic.
She kept going, as if she didn’t say it now, she’d lose her grip. "He’ll be here in less than two weeks. I feel like I’m out of time. Is there… is there anyone here who could give me a quick tour? Just a walkthrough?"
She paused, eyes flicking between Arturo and me, lingering just a second too long when she caught me watching.
Then she looked back at him. "Please. I know it’s not ideal. But this matters. I need to get this right for them. Mostly for my sister-in-law and the girls."
Arturo hesitated, then glanced at me.
