Checking Every Box

“Wow,” she said again. “This is really stylish.” I could tell that she wasn’t trying to behave like a salesperson in the slightest, she was simply being honest.

We walked through the large kitchen, dining room, and living room area, then she walked straight to the corner, practically pressing her nose to the glass as she looked down. “I hope you’re not afraid of heights,” she giggled.

Coming up behind her, I knew that I was standing far too close, but couldn’t resist placing a hand on her shoulder as if to hold her steady. The way she looked up at me with a sweet grin turned my heart into a puddle.

“I like heights,” I smiled back at her. “They tend to put the fanciest things closer to the top floor, don’t they?”

We looked around the room again, then she asked, “Even the furniture is quite nice, but I suppose that you would bring in your own?”

Looking around, I contemplated. “Often you can just purchase all of the staged furniture along with the property,” I said thoughtfully. “Since I don’t have any furniture, and my taste is probably questionable, I’d be safer leaving it to the experts.”

We strolled through the two small bedrooms, the office, and the large master suite with the enormous bathroom, fancy tub, and rainfall shower.

“This is amazing,” she grinned. Her hair swung gently as she tilted her head to the side. “Wait, do you really need three bedrooms plus an office? Most people turn a spare bedroom into their office.”

Her face fell, and I knew it should not have amused me when she asked, “Are you married? Do you need the extra room for kids?”

My laugh seemed to put her at ease. “No, I’m not married. Yet. I’d like to think that it’s in the realm of possibility in the next five years, and would really hate to have to move again. I’d like to put down roots for good, so I’d like a place that would grow with me, should I need it.”

I loved the way she smiled, knowing that I’m single.

“Well,” she said, as we walked through each of the bedrooms again, “I can tell you that this place would definitely impress most women.”

“Does it impress you?” I asked as we returned to the dining room.

Her heel tapped nervously as she considered her answer. “I think it’s a really nice place,” she said as she looked around again slowly. “It’s large without seeming like a sterile museum. It’s still comfortable. I would add a bit more color, but you could do that by changing a few paintings and adding bright vases on the shelves.”

I nodded thoughtfully. “It’s in a great location, and has all of the amenities I need, but there’s just something missing.”

Heather snapped her fingers. “It’s too square. It makes every room seem like a lifeless box.” Standing beside me, she pointed to the largest sofa and coffee table. “If you put a really tall plant in that corner, angled the couch and table, angled those two easy chairs, it would soften the edges. Then you could turn the dining room table around this way, and the whole space would be elongated. Less boxy.”

I nodded, trying to visualize it. “I think you’re absolutely right.”

Her hair smelled slightly like apples when she flipped it over her shoulder to smile back at me. Her curvy little figure was so inviting that I found it awkward to keep my hands to myself. The urge to reach out and hold her was nearly overwhelming.

“Shall we go tour the second place?” I asked.

“Absolutely,” she said brightly, digging out the keys and locking the door behind us.

Watching her stare at the gigantic chandelier in the two-story lobby on our way out, I realized that she wasn’t used to the fancier buildings. It wasn’t clear why I liked that so much.

“How far is the next place?” I asked.

She checked on her phone, looking up the street and turning north. “It’s only three blocks, actually.”

“Are you all right to walk?” I asked.

“Of course.”

I looked down at her feet, admiring her shapely legs. “Just checking how high your heels were,” I chuckled. “I don’t want to cause you any pain.”

She laughed as we started walking. “I only wear shoes that I can walk comfortably in,” she said. “I’ve always thought that practicality is more important than fashion.”

“Thank goodness,” I said, quickly removing my tie.

I absolutely adored her smile as I rolled it up and stuck it in my pocket. Then I slipped off my jacket, rolling up my sleeves, feeling a touch of pride as I caught her staring at my forearms.

“That tie was brand new,” I explained. “It has a funny smell from the shipping materials. But if we’re focused on comfort and the job at hand, you’ll forgive me for being less formal, won’t you?”