Page 67 of The Fifth Avenue Apartment

Sophie breathed a sigh of relief. The last thing she wanted to deal with was more conflict with Tessa, especially work-related. She finished eating, packed the leftovers up to take home and took her last sip of wine. It had been nice to get out of the house and now she could head home, climb into her sweats and have a little ice cream for dessert while watching a Hallmark Christmas movie marathon.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Sophie did her cookie trick again the next day. She made a batch of chocolate chip cookies and only baked a dozen of them. She froze the rest in balls that she could pop onto a cookie sheet and bake in Emily’s oven just before the open house started. She’d designed and printed out a small sign that stated there was an open house from 1-2 and listed Emily’s unit number. She wasn’t sure if the doorman in that building would allow the sign to be displayed but she figured it didn’t hurt to ask nicely.

She put the warm cookies in a clear plastic bag and tied it with a red ribbon. When she arrived at Emily’s building, she walked up to the doorman who looked to be in his early forties. He was balding, and had a bit of a pot belly, but also a friendly smile. Emily had introduced her when she’d taken the listing and he recognized her.

Sophie held out the bag of cookies and his eyes lit up. “Hi Billy, I’m Sophie Lawton with Fulton Real Estate, and I’m holding an open house for Emily today. I always bake cookies for my open houses and thought you might enjoy a few.” She handed him the bag and he took it eagerly.

“Nice to see you again.”

Sophie smiled “I appreciate your help sending people up to the unit. I made this little sign. I’m not sure if it’s possible to display it here, so people coming into the building might see it?”

Billy opened the bag and took out a cookie. “They’re still warm.” He took a bite and closed his eyes for a moment. “Delicious. Thank you.”

He took the sign from her outstretched hand and set it on the desk in front of him.

“I’ll have people sign in here with their ID before sending them up to you. That’s our policy.”

Sophie nodded. “Perfect. Thanks so much, Billy.”

She headed up to the unit and once she was inside, she turned on the oven and put the dough balls on the cookie sheet she’d brought with her. She baked two batches and put them on a cheery red platter on the table in the entry foyer. The open house was only for an hour, and she had no idea what to expect. She didn’t think it would be overly busy, given that it was the holiday weekend, but she hoped that at least a few people might come.

Sophie waited and ate three cookies as she nervously wondered if she might have an open house where no one showed up. Finally, at one thirty, there was a knock on the door that she’d left slightly ajar. She welcomed an older couple, Florence and Stuart Smith. She had them sign in and was initially excited that they didn’t seem to be working with a realtor. But a moment later, Florence also let her know that they really weren’t looking.

“I hate to get your hopes up dear, but we already live in the building. We were just curious to see inside this unit,” Florence admitted.

Sophie smiled. “Oh, no problem at all. I’d be curious too. Please wander around and help yourself to a cookie.”

They each took one and left to explore the unit. A few minutes later, two fashionably-dressed women in their late thirties walked in together and signed the book. They introduced themselves.

“I’m Marcia and this is Sunny. We’re both brokers. We thought we’d have a look around so we’re familiar with the unit, as we may possibly have clients we can call for it.”

“Great, thanks for coming. Please look around and let me know if you have any questions. And be sure to take a cookie.” Marcia glanced at the plate of cookies longingly.

“I’m doing keto at the moment so no sugar for me. They look amazing though.” Sunny didn’t take one either. They wandered off and Sophie felt a little better. At least there were people looking at the unit and maybe Marcia or Sunny might have a buyer for her.

No one else came in until five of two. A tall and very skinny man with wiry gray hair and a Mr. Rogers-style cardigan stepped through the door. He wasn’t wearing a coat and it was cold outside, so Sophie guessed he was another neighbor.

“Hi there. I’m Carl Givens. I saw the sign in the lobby and thought I’d walk down the hall and take a peek. I hope you don’t mind. I’m not actually in the market myself.”

Sophie smiled. “Of course, I don’t mind. Come on in, and please grab a few cookies.”

“Oh, don’t mind if I do.” He picked up two cookies, took a bite of one and set off to explore the unit. A few minutes later, he was back.

Sophie had a stack of brochures that had information about the unit next to the sign-in book. Carl signed in and took one. She encouraged him to take a few more cookies, too. “I can’t eat them all.”

“You don’t have to ask me twice. Thank you.”

He left and Sophie checked the time on her watch. It was five past two. Time to shut the open house down. She piled the leftover cookies into an extra bag she’d brought with her. She grabbed the cookie sheet and headed downstairs.

Billy smiled when he saw her. She noticed that his bag of cookies was half gone. “How’d it go?” he asked.

“Good. It was a little quiet but that’s expected for this weekend, I think.”

He nodded. “A few people noticed the sign and asked me about it. A few residents, too. Maybe they will spread the word for you?”

“That would be nice. I’ll be back next weekend. Hopefully it will be busier. Thanks so much, Billy.”

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