throwback to another era, when people wanted their living spaces to have the cozy feel of a brick-walled tavern. But based on Holt’s comments in the lobby, she decided to proceed carefully. She didn’t want to dampen his enthusiasm or risk losing the job.
“Wow, you’re right,” she remarked. “The light in the daytime must be fabulous.”
“And the walls? Terrific for art, aren’t they?”
“Um, sure.” If he ever really bought the place, she’d recommend painting the brick white at least.
He narrowed his eyes, curious. “There’s something you’re not saying.”
“I’m just taking it all in.”
“Let me show you the rest then.”
She followed him to the rear of the apartment. Midway back on the right was a poorly conceived, windowless middle room, which she couldn’t imagine being good for anything other than a nursery; to the left were storage areas, a small laundry room visible through an open door, and a service entrance to the apartment.
At the far back, side-by-side, were the two bedrooms. The master, which he showed her first, was spacious, and yet there was something off about the dimensions. Too big a room for simply a bed and a couple of dressers and yet not quite big enough to also accommodate a reading chair and ottoman. The master bath at least was nice—floor to ceiling gray and white Italian marble.
“So what do you think?” Holt inquired, his tone not disguising how pumped he felt about it.
“It would certainly be a big change from where you’re living now. But that seems to be exactly what you’re aiming for.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“That’s it? I thought you’d have more to say.”
She felt momentarily flustered. She might want the business, but there was no way she could out-and-out lie and let him choose a place that ultimately wouldn’t suit his needs. She quickly searched for the words that would strike the right balance.
“Well, I’d be happy to give you my feedback. But I have the sense that you’re already leaning toward this place and you may not want me to throw a wrench in the works.”
“I do love the apartment, but I’m not an expert. I could really use your input.”
“Okay, to be honest, I think you could find something much more special than this.” She swung her arm around the room. “It feels a bit constrained, as if the walls are pressing in. I love the idea of you in a loft, but one with a truly spacious feel.”
He chortled. “Well, at least you’re not one to mince words. As long as we’re here, why don’t you check out the second bedroom? Then I’ll take you out for a bite to eat and we can discuss the pros and cons over a nice meal and a bottle of wine.”
“Um, I’m sorry,” she said. She had told Garrett she’d be free by eight. “That’s very nice of you, Keith, but I have to meet with a friend in a bit. What if we did lunch tomorrow instead?”
He looked at her, and to her surprise she saw the muscles around his eyes tighten, as if a screw had been turned on each side. “Oh, just like last time then,” he said, his voice strangely cold, almost hostile. “You had to dash off for a rendezvous.”
That’s right, she thought, wincing internally from his tone. She’d turned him down for dinner before, on the day they’d met for espressos at the café. Did he actually have a romantic interest in her? She’d wondered that briefly before, even entertained what it would be like, but had dismissed the whole idea.
“But like I said, we could grab lunch,” Kit told him. “If you really love this place, we can talk about how to make—” Before she could finish, a noise startled her. Holt heard it, too, and they turned in unison toward the front of the apartment. It had sounded like the elevator being called back to another floor.
“What was that?” Kit asked, her heart skipping.
“Let me check.”
“Wait,” she said. What if, even after all her precautions tonight, she’d been followed to North Moore Street. “Maybe we should go together. I’ve had some problems lately. . . .”
“I’m sure it’s just the real estate agent.” He touched her arm reassuringly. “Take a look at the second bedroom and I’ll bring her back.”
“All right,” she said reluctantly. As he turned, something stirred in her, like water being swirled in a jar.
She watched for a moment while he hurried down the long hallway to the front. What if it wasn’t the