Mistletoe Magic (Paradise Place #6) - Natalie Ann Page 0,6
surprised everyone. She was stunning as always and it made his mother happy. She’d said she didn’t want to look back on her wedding pictures and wonder what possessed her to do that, but a month later, she’d gone back to crazy colors.
“Fine,” he said. If he didn’t agree with her, she’d hound him all night. “There is someone I’m thinking of.”
“A client?” Troy guessed. “Isn’t that a bit dicey?”
“Former client. We closed on her house two days ago in Paradise Place.”
“Nice area,” Troy said. “Harris loves it there. I’m glad I’ve got this house or Meena might have wanted to buy a place there.”
“Nope,” Meena said. “It’s beautiful there and I’m sure I’d love it, but this is your house and now it’s mine. I’ve moved enough in my life and I’m here to stay. Though I’ve got to admit your cousin Harris’s house is pretty sweet.”
“You’d have to be nuts not to love his house,” Troy said. “So what is going on, Brian? Normally you’ve got no problem going after a woman.”
He didn’t, even though most of the time women came after him. Mainly clients or ex-clients. Maybe that was why he was hedging so much. He said he was wiping his hands of doing that again as they only wanted to use him for fun or wanted what he didn’t want to give them.
“She’s different. I handled her divorce earlier in the year. Then she bought her house.”
“So she called you to close on her house?” Meena asked. “She could have called anyone and called her divorce attorney? Maybe she’s thinking of you too. Did you get her a sweet divorce deal?”
He knew Meena was joking and he’d never reveal anything confidential. “You know that’s private. Anyway, she had a hard time of it and I’m sure she’s not looking to get involved with anyone anytime soon.”
“And we know how you feel about dating clients now. Or former clients. But the fact that this is distracting you is telling. So bring her a housewarming gift. You’re a nice guy,” Meena said. “That will give you a better idea of what is going through her head. But I’m telling you, there is more to it. Take it from a woman. If she was like the others, she would have contacted you right after the divorce not months later. And not to spend more money with you.”
So here he was standing on Robin’s doorstep like a fool with a plant, a bottle of wine, and a box of chocolates.
He was just ready to turn around and leave when the door opened. “Brian. What a pleasant surprise. Come on in.”
“I thought I’d bring you a housewarming gift. And as you can tell, it’s a little scattered because I wasn’t sure what to get and figured it’s kind of a celebration too.”
“It really is,” Robin said. “Excuse the mess. I’ve spent the last two days unpacking. Though I didn’t have a ton to move, I can’t figure out where to put things. I’ve got to go shopping this weekend too and order more furniture.”
The front living room was empty of furniture, but there were some boxes stored there. The dining room off to the side was empty. He moved to the back and the kitchen was massive and eat-in with a table to the side and a few stools against the counter. Her family room had furniture in it.
“Everything looks pretty put together to me,” he said.
“That’s sweet. I suppose it does, but I sit here and keep looking around trying to decide what I need and have to buy. I’ve got a long list of stuff to get still.”
“No painting to be done?” he asked.
“You think I should paint?” she asked, frowning and looking around. “The previous owners did most of the painting not that long ago. I like the neutral colors.”
He was making a mess of this. “I didn’t mean it needed anything. Just that most people want to change things and make it their own. My sister, Meena, went nuts when she moved into her now husband’s house. Troy was fine with it after a while. He’s a pretty basic guy and Meena’s a bit more...bold.”
“That’s a nice description when I’m sure you wanted to say something else. Your best friend is married to her, right?”
“Yes. Troy Walker. He owns Walker Plumbing and Heating. Meena’s a hairdresser with her own salon. She’s got purple hair now.”
Robin laughed. “Well, now I know who to call if I need a