Page 20 of The B!tch List

“Belinda, Jennifer’s sister, just got her realtor’s license. She’s dealing with it. Would you like me to come with when you go and see her about it tomorrow?”

My brows arched and I placed a hand to fast beating heart. “Slow down, I need to think about it first.”

“Ah, quit stalling,” Bronte replied. “You need to get in there quick. I’ll text Jennifer and get Belinda’s number. Then I’ll text her and ask her to see us first thing.Carter, baby can you watch Rett in the morning…thank you I love you.”

Damn she really needed to learn to move the phone away from her mouth when yelling to her husband.

“Okay, that’s sorted,” Bronte said a lot more quietly. “I’ll text you the details once I’ve talked to Belinda.”

“Bronte, I don’t—”

“No don’t say don’t. It’s not a word I like or use.”

“But you just said it. You said, don’t say don’t.”

“Semantics.”

I heaved a sigh. I knew I wasn’t going to win on this one. “Okay, thank you. Let me know what she says.”

Bronte squealed with delight and before I knew it, I was jotting down figures on a notepad.

* * *

I didn’t know when I’d felt so excited about anything. Not even Christmas as a child—okay that was probably over exaggerating, but it was safe to say I was ready to pee my pants. The old bank would work perfectly for a preschool. The contractor had turned it into a light and airy building, adding skylights and big picture windows. There were four smaller rooms off the main one and what had been the staff breakroom had been updated with kitchen equipment and cabinets. There was also a whole load of storage, and the main room was large enough to section it off for all the different types of activities; soft play, wet play, storytelling, and nap time could all be covered. Even better there was decent sized yard out back that would be big enough for a sand box and some play equipment.

“You love it, right.” Bronte nudged me with her elbow and let out a little squeak.

Chewing on my bottom lip, I gave the room a sweeping gaze and then grinned. “Yeah, I really do. I had a quick look at my finances last night. I mean I’m not a professional or anything, but I’m pretty sure I can afford it if Belinda can sell my apartment. Getting the timing right might be difficult but it’s doable.”

Bronte clapped her hands together and squeaked again. “Oh, jeez I’m so happy. Rett is going to love it here. Amelia is going to love it here too.”

“Is that one of the baby disco kids?” I asked, running my hand over the top of one of the built-in cupboards, thinking about how I could paint it bright colors.

“No, it’s mine and Carter’s baby.”

My head shot around to her. “You’re pregnant!”

She waved me away. “No, not yet, but it’s only a matter of time.” There was a noise of a door opening and Bronte grabbed my hand. “Belinda is here. Now don’t appear too keen. Make her sweat a little, honey. Who knows, it may get you a rent reduction.”

Before I could say anything, Belinda ran toward us, fanning herself with a pamphlet. “Lordy, I’m so sorry. I got caught up with my last client. Who knew that a pink colored toilet could be a deal breaker? I’m here now. What do you think? You like it?”

She grabbed my hand and gave it a squeeze and looked around the room.

“I do. I want it,” I blurted out.

“Nancy,” Bronte cried. “What did I say about not appearing too keen?”

I shrugged. “But I want it.” Turning to Belinda, I said, “I want to sign today. Right now, in fact.”

Belinda grimaced. “That’s the thing, sugar. I’m sorry but the contractor who owns the building now wants to sell it, and he wants to do it quick. His daughter announced she’s getting married and of course daddy must pay—big time. That’s what happens when your daughter wants to marry a guy whose dad is Chairman of the country club.”

“That’s not a problem.” Bronte smiled at me expectantly. “Right, Nancy.”

I mentally envisaged the piece of paper on my coffee table with numbers scribbled on it. “Yep, it’s doable. Definitely.”

Belinda groaned. “That’s the other thing, we have someone else interested and they already have the finances lined up too.”

“You can’t have,” Bronte yelled, making me jump. “You told Carter it only came into your office two days ago.”

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