Page 62 of Heartbreak & Cupcakes
Note to self:Doorman and concierge - not the same thing.
Emilio had a kind smile and kind eyes, and I immediately cast him as my very own Barney Thompson who was portrayed brilliantly by Héctor Elizondo in the classic ’90s rom com that I felt like I was reenacting. Minus the whole prostitute part.
“Hi, it’s nice to meet you.”
“Here is a fob that accesses the penthouse. Would you like help up with your bags?”
I looked over at Charli standing on the marble floors of the luxury lobby holding four white plastic Target bags. Even though she was wearing basically the same thing as me, and she was holding plastic bags,shesomehow looked like she belonged here. That’s the thing about people as beautiful as Charli, they could wear a potato sack to the Met Gala and everyone would just talk about how incredible they looked.
“Um, no. I think we’re okay, thanks.”
I adjusted Eeyore’s leash onto my wrist and took the key chain from Barney…er…um…Emilio. Eeyore’s nails click-clacked on the reflective, high gloss floors as we made our way across the lobby. When we stepped into the elevator, I noticed my hand was shaking as I waved the key card in front of the access panel and pressed the button with PH on it.
As soon as we started moving Charli began singingThe Jeffersons’theme song. When she belted out—“deluxe apartment in the sky-hi-hi!”—all of my nerves bubbled up in a giggle. She continued her off-key elevator-oke until we arrived on our floor and the doors opened.
When we stepped out, I gasped audibly. We were surrounded by floor to ceiling glass on the side and far wall. There were breathtaking views of the bay, the Bay Bridge, and beyond.
The decor wasn’t what I would have expected from Mr. Smolder. I would have thought he lived somewhere cold, and industrial. But instead, this place was warm and inviting. There was actually color in the décor in the form of throw pillows, art, and there were plants. Lots of plants.
“This is some Christian Grey shit,” Charli commented, clearly impressed. “I wonder where the red room is.”
With Charli, all roads led back to sex.
I’m not sure how long we stood there, speechless, taking in the surroundings before the elevator dinged behind us. My heart jumped into my throat in what I can only assume was an escape attempt as I turned expecting to see Alex step out. He’d said that he was going into work, then stopping by to see Mrs. G, and then picking up Lexi who had spent the night at Maddox’s.
It felt strange that I’d known his schedule today. Although, I suppose I better get used to that feeling since I’d probably know his schedule most days considering I was going to be living in his house and watching his daughter.
With a forcible gulp I managed to swallow my heart, which was pounding a thousand miles per minute, back down into my chest as the doors opened and Mia stepped out looking down at her phone.
When she lifted her head and saw me and Charli she smiled warmly. “I’m so sorry. I wanted to be here when you arrived.”
Charli and Mia hugged and then spoke for a minute about their thoughts on the new spin instructor, which was a mixed bag of reviews. Joe Mazza, the man they both affectionately referred to as their “Spin Daddy,” was out of the country on a shoot for the next month. Besides being a spin instructor extraordinaire he was also a world-renowned photographer. After a brief deliberation they came to a mutual decision to give the new instructor another shot considering Joe “Spin Daddy” Mazza set a bar so high not even Jason Momoa could reach it.
Then, Mia turned to me and asked, “Have you had a chance to look around?”
“No.” I shook my head. “We just got here.”
“Great, well, let me give you the tour.”
Charli, Achoo, Eeyore and I all trailed behind Mia as she did her best spokesmodel impression and showed us the main living space, the gym, the library and the game room which had arcade games including Frogger, which was one of my favorites growing up. There were several guest bedrooms with en suites, I’d counted four bathrooms so far. We toured Lexi’s room, which Mia lovingly referred to as The Unicorn Palace.
“And this will be your room.” Mia opened the tall, wooden door and I walked inside. A king bed sat in the center of the room. There was a fireplace, sitting area, a wall of accordion sliders, and two doors on the left wall. One of which was open to an en suite bathroom, which included a double vanity, shower wall and a soaker tub that sat in front of floor to ceiling windows with a city view.
“Oh, how cute!” Charli enthused as she pulled open the slider and walked out on the patio and pointed.
I followed behind her and the first thing I noticed was that the patio was bigger than my entire apartment had been. Then I noticed the area Charli was pointing at. There was a grass pad for Eeyore with several dog toys scattered on it, including a large bone.
“And this is actually a litter box.” Mia motioned to a furniture piece made of reclaimed wood.
Charli and I both walked back inside as Mia slid a tiny barn door on the front of the credenza open to reveal a litter box tucked inside. Beside the hidden kitty toilet there were bowls of food and water with both Eeyore and Achoo’s names on them.
Next, Mia opened door number two, switched on a light and revealed a showroom style, Kardashian-worthy walk-in closet.
“I’m pretty sure I got your size right, but if anything doesn’t fit just let me know and I’ll get you the right size.”
“Those are mine?” I exhaled.
“Yep.” Mia smiled.
