Page 61 of Here & Now

Thirteen

On Monday morning, at ten o’clock, Bree’s doorbell rang, and she opened the door to an attractive woman she assumed was Zane’s real estate friend.

“Good morning. I’m Kayla Nelson. Zane Reed gave me your address and said you were looking for a real estate agent.”

Naturally, she was beautiful, since Zane had recommended her. Tamping down her jealousy, Bree said, “Yes, I’m Bree O’Connell. Come in.”

When Kayla walked past her, Bree caught a whiff of her perfume. Though she couldn’t identify it, it smelled expensive. Everything about this woman, from her long, silky hair to her nude pumps, screamed money.

She was wearing a sleeveless blouse tucked into a snug white pencil skirt. Her body, at least the parts that were showing, was tanned and toned, and Bree idly wondered if she ever ate a donut.

He probably had sex with this woman, she thought as she followed Kayla into the living room.

“What an adorable cottage!” Kayla said. Her eyes danced with excitement or dollar signs; Bree wasn’t sure which.

Bree showed her through the house, and Kayla took notes in a pretty floral notebook with a matching pen. I need to upgrade my dollar-store notepads, thought Bree, but she appreciated that Kayla was prepared.

When the tour was over, Kayla suggested they sit down at the kitchen table.

“Would you like something to drink?” Bree asked.

“No thank you.” Kayla pulled out a folder from the large leather satchel she carried and set it on the table. “There’s a lot of potential here. It could use some updates, but I think it would be a great starter home for a young couple.”

Bree suddenly felt defensive. “This was my grandparents’ home, and they loved it here.”

Kayla tilted her head and gave Bree a sorrowful look. “Zane mentioned they passed away. I’m sorry.”

Bree knew he was just trying to help, but the idea of him and Kayla discussing this without her rankled. What else had he told her?

Kayla took the top sheet out of the folder and slid it across the table to her. “Here’s a report of what other homes in the area have sold for. The suggested list price for this home is at the bottom.”

Bree scanned the document. Then she looked up at Kayla and frowned. “Why is the suggested price so much lower than the others?”

“This house doesn’t have the same amenities.”

“Such as?”

“New kitchen cabinets and countertops, new flooring, new windows, fresh paint—”

Bree held up a hand. “Okay, but how did you know all that when you prepared the report? You’ve never been inside until now, right?” She braced herself for the answer.

Kayla gazed steadily at her. “Zane told me.”

Bree’s heart sank like a stone. Yes, the house needed some updates, but he knew how much she loved it and how much it meant to her. Was he purposely trying to sabotage her? Why would he do that?

“I know it’s hard to swallow, but that’s how the real estate market works. You can’t expect to get top dollar for a house that needs so much work.”

Bree’s temper flared, and she fought to keep her voice even. “First of all, I don’t care about the money. Secondly, this house might not have all the bells and whistles the others do, but it was well cared for and loved. The bones are good, and the rest is just cosmetic.”

Kayla’s gaze remained unwavering. “I understand that you have an emotional attachment to it, but that has to be factored out. The buyers aren’t going to care that it was loved. They want it to look new and updated.”

“Like you?” Bree said. The words flew out of her mouth before she could stop them.

Kayla’s perfectly shaped eyebrows hit the roof. “Excuse me?”

Bree pushed back her chair and stood. “This isn’t going to work.”

“Obviously.” Kayla shoved the folder back into her expensive bag. Then she stood and leaned over the table. “Zane didn’t mention you were this obstinate; otherwise, I never would have agreed to come here.”