be? He looks like he hasn’t shaved in days, his hair is sticking up in all different directions, and his clothes are wrinkled. But he still has those perfect cheekbones, long lashes, and full lips. I can feel the warmth starting from the pit of mystomach, moving up throughout my body. Please don’t let him notice.
I smell a wave of alcohol wafting from inside. It smells like a brewery. Cade’s eyes are half opened. Apparently, the alcohol smell is coming directly from him. Once he gets a good look at us, they double in size. He peers at us, back and forth and up and down, more than a few times.
I’m starting to become uncomfortable with the silence. His shoulders seem to relax, and he shakes his head, like he can’t believe we’re here. Cade leaves the door open, turns suddenly, and walks toward the back of his house, waving us in. I look at Sophie in confusion. We haven’t even introduced ourselves yet.
As we enter, one thing is apparent. Cade, or whoever is living here, hasn’t done housework in a very long time. Maybe never. We walk down the hallway, which opens up the living area. There isn’t a surface not covered with pizza boxes, dirty dishes, newspapers, books, and clothes. I’m trying to take in everything at once. This house, or houseboat, is breathtaking, albeit a mess.
The floor-to-ceiling windows bring in tons of natural light. Outside, only a few feet away, kayakers paddle through the calm waters of Lake Union. The color of the lake is a murky green, but itdoesn’t distract from the beauty at all.
My eyes dart around the remaining spaces within view. If this house were clean, it would be my dream home. The huge fireplace against the southern wall has a built in bookcase surrounding it. There must be thousands of books. My hands itch to touch them. I want to know what type of books Cade reads. The furniture is overstuffed and comfortable-looking. I also notice a typical bachelor addition, a huge screen TV secured over the wall opposite the fireplace. Light colored rugs and antique tables finish off the impressive room, that is, if it were clean. I stand rooted in place. I don’t want to walk all the way in. Something’s off, something isn’t right.
Cade motions to the two side chairs placed next to the deck. “Ladies, have a seat.”
I look over at Sophie. She looks at me with the same confused expression. I give her a nod and we head over and sit down. Cade walks over, a little unsteadily, and sits on the end of the coffee table, right in front of us.
“I know why you’re here.”
I can feel myself relax. This will make things go so much easier. I look him straight in the eye. “Good. We can get right tobusiness.”
Cade smirks and responds. “Yeah, right. Business. Is that what you call it?”
I nod. “Yes. I know we can do a lot for you. You won’t be sorry. We have a great reputation. I’ve brought my portfolio, references, and recommendations.” I reach into my briefcase and start to remove the paperwork.
Cade stares for a moment. He looks at us strangely then closes his eyes and shakes his head. “Man, I didn’t know your ‘business’ was so organized. So, how much did Scott pay you?”
“What? Oh, no. You don’t pay us. We work on commission.” I take a good look at Cade, his eyes are still hooded, and they seem a little hazy.
Cade leans over, grabs the hem of my shirt, giving it a little tug. “If I were to do this thing, I’d pick you.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Sophie’s shoulders shaking. She’s laughing. Hard. What the hell? She covers her mouth, trying to keep from losing it. What is so funny?
“Sophie, stop it! What’s gotten in to you?”
She’s shaking her head. Now tears are escaping. “He thinkswe’re hookers, Laurel!” With that said, she doubles over laughing.
No way. I look over at Cade, waiting for him to deny it.
He looks at Sophie with an “Oops” expression on his face. “Scott didn’t send you?” There’s
I smell a wave of alcohol wafting from inside. It smells like a brewery. Cade’s eyes are half opened. Apparently, the alcohol smell is coming directly from him. Once he gets a good look at us, they double in size. He peers at us, back and forth and up and down, more than a few times.
I’m starting to become uncomfortable with the silence. His shoulders seem to relax, and he shakes his head, like he can’t believe we’re here. Cade leaves the door open, turns suddenly, and walks toward the back of his house, waving us in. I look at Sophie in confusion. We haven’t even introduced ourselves yet.
As we enter, one thing is apparent. Cade, or whoever is living here, hasn’t done housework in a very long time. Maybe never. We walk down the hallway, which opens up the living area. There isn’t a surface not covered with pizza boxes, dirty dishes, newspapers, books, and clothes. I’m trying to take in everything at once. This house, or houseboat, is breathtaking, albeit a mess.
The floor-to-ceiling windows bring in tons of natural light. Outside, only a few feet away, kayakers paddle through the calm waters of Lake Union. The color of the lake is a murky green, but itdoesn’t distract from the beauty at all.
My eyes dart around the remaining spaces within view. If this house were clean, it would be my dream home. The huge fireplace against the southern wall has a built in bookcase surrounding it. There must be thousands of books. My hands itch to touch them. I want to know what type of books Cade reads. The furniture is overstuffed and comfortable-looking. I also notice a typical bachelor addition, a huge screen TV secured over the wall opposite the fireplace. Light colored rugs and antique tables finish off the impressive room, that is, if it were clean. I stand rooted in place. I don’t want to walk all the way in. Something’s off, something isn’t right.
Cade motions to the two side chairs placed next to the deck. “Ladies, have a seat.”
I look over at Sophie. She looks at me with the same confused expression. I give her a nod and we head over and sit down. Cade walks over, a little unsteadily, and sits on the end of the coffee table, right in front of us.
“I know why you’re here.”
I can feel myself relax. This will make things go so much easier. I look him straight in the eye. “Good. We can get right tobusiness.”
Cade smirks and responds. “Yeah, right. Business. Is that what you call it?”
I nod. “Yes. I know we can do a lot for you. You won’t be sorry. We have a great reputation. I’ve brought my portfolio, references, and recommendations.” I reach into my briefcase and start to remove the paperwork.
Cade stares for a moment. He looks at us strangely then closes his eyes and shakes his head. “Man, I didn’t know your ‘business’ was so organized. So, how much did Scott pay you?”
“What? Oh, no. You don’t pay us. We work on commission.” I take a good look at Cade, his eyes are still hooded, and they seem a little hazy.
Cade leans over, grabs the hem of my shirt, giving it a little tug. “If I were to do this thing, I’d pick you.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Sophie’s shoulders shaking. She’s laughing. Hard. What the hell? She covers her mouth, trying to keep from losing it. What is so funny?
“Sophie, stop it! What’s gotten in to you?”
She’s shaking her head. Now tears are escaping. “He thinkswe’re hookers, Laurel!” With that said, she doubles over laughing.
No way. I look over at Cade, waiting for him to deny it.
He looks at Sophie with an “Oops” expression on his face. “Scott didn’t send you?” There’s
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