Page 45 of Unravel Me

Chapter twenty-six

Audrey

“Please let Ed know I'll be back for the two o’clock client briefing.” I smile down at Ed’s assistant sitting at her desk before gathering my belongings and making my way to the lobby.

My legs don’t feel very steady as my heels click on the stone floor, and my heart races as I exit the building, walking to my car. But as I start the engine and begin my drive towards the stone house in Forest Hills, I’ve never felt so sure this is the right choice.

I punch in the code and the large iron gate, situated before two stone pillars, opens and I drive forward onto the semi-circle driveway.

Think of all the parties we can have here, Drey. Jackson’s voice rang in my head as I rested back in my seat, checking my phone to see if the Realtor had texted me.

It’s no longer your decision, Jackson.

A red sedan slowly pulled in behind me and out popped a smiley, auburn haired woman possibly a few years younger than myself.

“Hi, you must be Elena!” I smile, extending a hand as she strides over to me in the middle of the driveway. It’s an overcast day, a rarity for June in North Carolina, but the gray clouds are painted like backgrounds against this ostentatious house that was now in my name.

“I am, it’s so nice to meet you, Audrey. What a beautiful street and home!” She smiles, staring up at the house, unable to hide her awe. She wasn’t listed as a luxury realtor; in fact, she was relatively new to the game. Her social media page was overly joyful, optimistic, and friendly; and I could see she was eager to make a name for herself.

Jackson would’ve scoffed at the idea, calling up one of his broker friends who would get top dollar and only show this house to the most exclusive circle. But as of yesterday at 2 p.m., after the notary witnessed our signatures, the house was gifted to me. How Jackson got that to happen in less than three days was beyond me, but then again, maybe this has been in motion for a while.

The idea that I was probably the last to know about everything only makes hiring Elena that much sweeter.

And anyway, I like to give people a chance. God knows this property could use a good spark of joy.

“Thank you for meeting me on such short notice. I want to get the ball rolling and get this place listed as soon as I can.”

Elena snaps her face back to me, her eyes wide as she grins a little too big.

“We will do everything we can to get this place listed as soon as possible. Want to show me around?”

I nod, and walk her around the property, giving her the grand tour. In the backyard, I noticed a line of rose bushes that weren’t there a few days ago. Prickly thorns and bold red petals contrast against the brown and gray stone of the south facing wall.

“Wow, what beautiful landscaping! You and your husband must have an incredible team of landscapers.”

I hold back a scoff that would be entirely inappropriate, given she knows nothing about me other than the quick contact form I filled out on her website, asking her to meet me here today to sell a house. She couldn’t possibly know the last final dig from Jackson would be to fill the backyard with the flowers I hated.

“This landscaping could sell the home alone,” she says reassuringly, and this time I do smile big.

Jokes on you, Jackson Tippins.

“That’s wonderful. And you should know, I'm the sole owner of the home. No Mr.— just me.” I pause and she winces apologetically.

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t—”

“Please, don’t apologize. If you get this house sold for me, you’re doing me a great service.” I nod toward the house. “Let’s move inside, there’s a lot to see.” She follows me into the finished walk-out basement; complete with a sauna, home theater, gym, and two guest suites. You know, for all the family that would happily visit me. “My contractor assured me all the finishing touches would be done in a week or two. It’s just a few paint touch-ups, but that won’t be a problem, right? We can list it before it's complete?”

Elena nods vigorously, punching something into her phone. “Absolutely, that is not a problem. Not a problem at all.”

“Excellent. Thank you.”

I continue showing her around upstairs and by the end of the hour, we are back out front, standing under the portico.

“Thank you again for the opportunity to list your home. I’m confident this place won't be on the market long, especially not in a sought-after neighborhood like this.”

Music to my ears.

I wave at Elena as she drives away and cross my arms over my chest, tipping my head back to the sky.