Read Online Want Me by Jo Leigh - Free Book Online Page B

cry. She wouldn’t, because that’s not what she did, not in front of people. Not because of a man she shouldn’t be thinking about, not like that. She was tired, that’s all. No breaks, no sleep, no answers.
    Bree, pretty as a picture in her weird purple-and-orange dress, crouched down beside her. “Do you want me to call a taxi? Get you home?”
    “No, thanks. I’m just tired. Insomnia. It’s a bitch, but I’ll get over it. I need to sit for a little while. Sip some water. Do you think you can get everyone back on track?”
    “Absolutely. But I’ll check with you again later, all right?”
    “Thanks.”
    Bree squeezed her shoulder and Shannon relaxed as much as she could in the awful plastic chair, letting the commotion wash over her like a wave.
    She’d set up the date between Nate and Ariel, she would. Just not right now.
    * * *
    T HE SIXTH PROPERTY HAD seemed so good on paper, standing in the actual living room of the duplex made Nate’s chest hurt. He’d been dreaming if he thought he could get a two-bedroom place for even a million. He turned to his Realtor, Aiko, and shook his head. “I know you warned me. Sorry I’ve wasted your time.”
    “It’s no problem, Mr. Brennan. You needed to see what’s happening for yourself. If you can believe it, this condo would have sold for twice what they’re asking before the bubble burst.”
    “That’s a terrifying thought.” It wasn’t as if it were filthy or had active rat colonies. The problem was the size. He’d lived in New York most of his life, and he’d thought he understood what that meant. But he’d been spoiled. His family home had been a relic, like the Fitzgeralds’, only not as many floors. And not as much warmth, and the windows had been small even after the remodel. This condo looked as if they’d taken a moderately sized one-bedroom and split it into doll-sized rooms. He doubted either bedroom could hold more than a double bed, and that’s with no other furniture included.
    “Okay, so, what’s next?”
    Aiko smiled cheerfully, even though she had to be exhausted, hauling him all over hell and back looking at inappropriate buildings. “There’s a nice condo in the Lower East Side you might really like.”
    “From now on, you lead the way.” He glanced at his watch, surprised that it was after five. “I had no idea it was so late. We can reschedule.”
    “It’s not a problem for me, if it’s not a problem for you.”
    “Won’t the building manager have an issue?”
    “If I wanted to look at anything in this city at midnight, I wouldn’t have a problem. But it’s completely up to you.”
    He had a meeting with his attorney tomorrow, but not until eleven. There was one thing that he could do with, though. “One sec,” he said, as he pulled out his cell.
    Shannon answered on the first ring. “Hey,” she said.
    “Are you still at work?”
    “Not at work, but working.”
    “Thinking of quitting anytime soon?”
    “You read my thoughts,” she said, sounding tired.
    “I have a proposition. Meet me at a condo in the Lower East Side and I’ll take you to dinner after. What do you think?”
    She was quiet for so long he figured she’d beg off, but then she said, “Where? I’m in Little Italy. If it’s going to take me forever—”
    “Hold on. I’m putting you on with Aiko. She has the address.”
    The women spoke as Nate rocked on his heels, anxious now to get to the new condo. Or maybe he was just anxious to see Shannon. He wanted her opinion. Her eyes. Hell, he wanted her.

6
    S HANNON MET N ATE AND A IKO in the lobby of a
twenty-story building. The maintenance of the grounds, grass, shrubbery and
trees was impressive, as was the location itself.
    The Realtor, a pretty Asian
woman in her early forties, was dressed impeccably and sensibly in heels
that would merely hurt after a long day, not maim.
    Nate looked wonderful. Very Euro
in those crazy slim trousers that did wonders for his butt. Although, come
to think