I flash a grin. “Of course. It’s the weekend, Shawn. Are you and Lexi going to man the kitchen?”
“Of course,” he echoes. “It’s the weekend. I’ll see you later, then.”
He waves and ushers Murphy into the house.
The pub is a family affair. We all do our part.
I check the time and the address of the first home I’m showing, and realize I’m running just a smidge late.
I hate that.
I need to get there first so I can open the place, turn on all the lights, and make sure it’s ready to show.
I’ve shown this first house to several couples. It’s on a nice piece of property at the tip of the island, but the interior needs a little updating. I encouraged the sellers to do just that, but they’re not interested. They just want to unload it.
So, I’ll keep showing it until someone decides they want a project.
To my relief, I’m the first to arrive and hurry through the house, flipping on lights and opening doors and windows to let in some fresh air. The doorbell rings, and when I reach the front door, I open it to a tall, muscly man with light brown hair, a scruffy chin, and a cocky grin.
“Oh, hi.” I clear my throat and look a little closer, then feel my face flush with embarrassment. “It’s you. From the pub last night.”
“I was about to say the same thing.” He slowly looks me up and down, taking in every inch of me. From the interest in his brown eyes, I’d say he likes everything that he sees, and his gaze sets my pulse to hammering and makes me swallow. Hard.
“You must be Hunter Meyers.”
He raises a brow. “I am.”
“I’m Maeve O’Callaghan, the realtor.” I hold out my hand to shake his, surprised by the strength in his grasp and the little zing that passes between us. “I guess we never got around to exchanging names last night. Come on in.”
He steps in behind me as I walk ahead.
“This is the first house we’ll see today. I have two others lined up.”
“I found another online last night,” he says. When I glance back, I notice that he’s not checking out the house. His eyes are on me. “Is there any way I can see it tomorrow?”
“Sure, I just have to give the seller twenty-four hours’ notice. Which one is it?”
I turn to him and watch as he taps his phone. I’m so close to him, I can feel the heat coming off of him. I touched him a few times last night?just a hand on his shoulder. I laughed and flirted like it was going out of style.
And he’s my freaking client.
I’m horrified.
Hunter turns his phone to me. “This one.”
My stomach sinks when I turn my attention to his screen.
It’s my house.
“I’ll just make a call when we’re finished here.” I try to smile at him and then gesture to the living space we’re currently standing in. “Go ahead and have a look around the house. I’m here if you have any questions.”
“Thanks.”
I give him space to wander around and take in the views, check out the rooms.
“The view is one of the best on the island,” I say as he returns to the living space.
“It’s a good view, but the house isn’t my style.” He shoves his hands in his pockets and watches me with interest.
I want to climb him like a tree.
But I’m working.
“It could be, with some TLC and sweat.”
He smirks. “I’m not handy when it comes to home improvements. I think I’d rather have something more move-in ready.”
I nod, not surprised.
That seems to be everyone’s response to this house.
“Okay, do you want to follow me to the next one?”
“First, I want to address the elephant in the room.”
I raise an eyebrow.
“Last night.”
I clear my throat and look down, but he reaches over and taps my chin, making me look him in the face again.
“Why are you embarrassed?” he asks.
“Because I was way too flirty last night. If I’d known you were my client, I wouldn’t have behaved that way. I know it was mostly harmless, but—”
“Have I given you the impression that I thought you were inappropriate last night?”
I bite my lip and frown when his eyes narrow on my mouth. “No. You haven’t.”
“Good. Because I had a good time. And I’m reminded that I was a little rude if I didn’t introduce myself to you and ask for your name.”
“I wrote it on the napkin I gave you,” I reply.
“I haven’t looked at it yet,” he confesses. “I was going to call you later after I looked at houses.”
I tilt my head to the side. “You were?”
“Yes. And I still might. But first thing’s first.” He gestures for me to lead the way. “After you.”
“You go ahead. I have to turn off lights and lock up real quick.”