Impatiently, I sit and wait. Running a search on new listings wondering if anything comparable pops up. I realize Nate loves this place and it was so close to his mom, so that’d be great. It’s also right down the street from my house. I almost gasp out loud from the thought alone. What is wrong with me?
I stare at the screen, wanting him to text me back, but also not wanting to be overanxious. I can be like that. I decide to keep doing what I was in order to pass the time. Before long, my phone rings again. It’s Dan. Shit. I let it go to voicemail. As I wrap up that last of what I have to do, Nate still hasn’t called me. I decide to pack up and just as I’m leaving, he calls me. I answer it right away, excited to see his number on my phone. “It’s about time.”
“Sorry, I was having dinner with my mom.”
“It’s all right, I’m just giving you a hard time. Did you get my text?”
“I did.”
“What do you think?” I ask him.
He exhales then speaks in his silky smooth tone, almost making me melt from it alone, saying, “You’re the boss, you tell me.”
“I think it comes down to how much you really want this place. I told the other realtor I’d give him an answer in ten minutes, so I’m not sure if we’ll get it at this point.
“I love the place, I really do, El.” He stops and corrects himself. “Sorry, I meant Elania.”
“It’s okay,” I tell him. A delicious shiver had run up my neck when he called me “El.”
“Do whatever you can. I’ll pay the extra ten grand and then some.”
“Ok, I’ll put in a verbal offer for the new amount. If I need you to sign an amendment to the contract I’ll be in touch. Keep your phone on this time, though.”
We hang up and I dial Dan back. This part of the job is always so stressful, but I thrive on it. As soon as he answers, I explain what Nate is willing to give, hoping we made it, adrenaline buzzing.
“Didn’t you get my message, Elania?”
“No.”
“They accepted the other offer, I’m sorry.” Instantly, I feel deflated.
“Jesus, Dan, you couldn’t have given me a little more time?”
“I told you ten minutes. The sellers were literally boarding a plane.”
I get off the phone with him, finding it hard to believe that this deal fell through when it was all so right for Nate. My stomach is queasy. I’ve lost all my motivation tonight. I just need to get in a hot bath with a glass of wine and it’s sure to calm me down. It’s nights like this when I wish I had someone to go home to. It makes me miss Alex more than I realize. Maybe calling Nate, even though I have bad news to give him, will cheer me up. I do love his silky smooth tone.
Walking out, I’m the last one to leave. I flip off all the lights and exit through the back door. Getting in my car, I call Nate through my car’s Bluetooth. This time he answers on the second ring. “Give me two seconds, El.”
“Okay,” I respond, and my ears perk right up. I can clearly hear grunting and am just a little shocked, wondering if he’s actually having sex. That’s both wrong…and a little hot? I’m tempted to hang up, but then I hear a guy counting. “Two more man, push it.”
He’s at the gym. But I’m picturing him naked. Shit.
“Eleven. Twelve.” Then the clank of metal clear as day and I know I was right.
“Give me five,” he says to whomever he is with. Then he’s back on with me. “Sorry about that, I had to finish that last set and you told me to keep my phone on, so I answered.”
“It’s okay, not a big deal. You can call me back.”
“No way, what’s up?”
“Uhhh, not much.” I stall not wanting to give him the news on the house. “Do you work out every day?” I ask him, picturing how well his shirts have fit him every time I’ve seen him.
“Yeah, try to. You really should come by sometime.”
“I wish I had the time to. I’m actually just leaving work.”
“See? And I’m just getting started so if I waited for you, we could work out together.” Is he flirting with me?
“Are you offering me private lessons?” I imagine Nate standing behind me as I work out with him. Jesus, he’s hot. I suppress those thoughts; I can’t go there with him, or anyone. Not after what Alex did to me.
He laughs at my comment. “No, not lessons. But we could do some workout sessions together.”
“Do you do personal training?”
“I don’t.”
“But for me you would.”
“Dammit, El, why are you digging? Do you want to work out with me or not?”
“I do.”
“Then let’s make it happen.” My heart thuds against the walls of my chest.
I’m a bit taken aback by his statement. I didn’t expect for him to put me in my place. People don’t usually do that. His tone is strong. Maybe he’s not flirting, and he genuinely just wants to work out. Suddenly, I second guess everything.
“Okay, now, did I get my house?”
I can barely choke out the words, my mind is spinning from this man, but I have to. “No, we were too late.”