Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 25255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 126(@200wpm)___ 101(@250wpm)___ 84(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 126(@200wpm)___ 101(@250wpm)___ 84(@300wpm)
“Then why does he want three closets redone?” I ask as I look out the window at the gorgeous mansion we’re driving by.
“He made eight million dollars last year,” Alina says as she slows at the stop sign. “There are only so many pickup trucks one man can buy. What else is he supposed to spend his money on? Plus, I was selling him hard on it. I think he agreed just to shut me up.”
“Hmm,” I say as I gaze out the window at this amazing street. The houses are insane. Do people actually live in these? What would that be like?
I don’t have one-thousandth of what these people have, but at least I feel like I have enough. I’m always grateful for what I do have. How many of these people can say that?
“He got into a hell of a fight in last night’s game,” Alina says as she flashes me a look. “It was all over everywhere. It went viral online and it was playing on repeat over and over on the sports shows. Sebastian said it was the best fight in hockey history.”
“I’ll never understand why hockey players have to fight,” I say, feeling awful for him. “Can’t they just play and have fun?”
“Fighting is fun to these guys,” Alina says with a chuckle. “You haven’t met Tucker.”
I don’t know, I just don’t see the need for violence in a game. What’s the point of hurting each other?
“He might be a bit banged up when we get there,” Alina warns.
I start to feel tense in my chest. I don’t like seeing people hurt. I suck in a breath and try to work past it. Alina has given me a huge opportunity and I don’t want to let her down.
Our company makes custom closets out of Colorado and Alina was chosen to lead the new division here in San Antonio. It’s an even bigger opportunity for her. She could have chosen anyone in the office to bring with her to help set it up, but she brought me.
I don’t know why. I was only the receptionist. I feel like I’m in way over my head already and we haven’t even done our first house call yet.
We’re on the way there now.
I’ve been memorizing the company manuals non-stop and familiarizing myself with all of the different designs and materials, but I’m realizing that a lot of it will have to be learned in the field. I’m just going to have to get my hands dirty and do it.
“Is this his house?” I ask as Alina pulls in front of a big black iron gate with TM carved into the middle.
“This is it,” she says as she rolls the window down and hits the button for the intercom.
No one answers. She hits it again.
“He’s probably out,” she says as she punches in the code. “He gave me the code to his front door too so we can work when he’s at practice. He said he’d rather not see me at all.”
She chuckles but I frown.
“That was rude.”
She shrugs. “He’s letting us redesign three of his closets. I’m not complaining.”
The iron gate creaks open and Alina drives in.
This house doesn’t look like the others on the street. It’s just as large, but there are no lovely gardens filled with colorful flowers or giant plants lining the property. It’s dark and dreary. It’s missing a woman’s touch.
My nerves start going as Alina drives up the long private cobblestone road and parks on the roundabout portion of the driveway. Five garage doors. Wow.
“So, we’ll check out the closets and try to design at least one today,” Alina says as she opens her door. “Sound good?”
“Sounds great!” I say as I hop out, hoping I can be of service.
We grab some supplies from the trunk—tape measures, a power drill, sample pieces of flooring and wood for the shelving. Stuff like that. And then we head to the front door.
“Aren’t you going to knock?” I ask as Alina enters the code.
She shrugs. “He’s not home. He would have answered at the gate.”
I swallow hard as I step into the dark musty house. All of the curtains are closed. The furniture is sparse. One room I peek into has nothing in it at all.
“Oh my,” I whisper when I see the size of his muddy boots beside the wall. I could fit both of my feet into one at the same time.
“Yeah, he’s a big dude,” Alina says with a laugh. “I’m just glad he’s protecting my Sebastian and not using him as target practice anymore.”
Target practice? Oh my. I don’t think I’ve ever watched hockey—it’s way too violent for me—but I didn’t think it was this bad.
“The first closet is in the basement,” Alina says. “I figure we’ll start there and the last closet we’ll renovate can be his master bedroom. That way if we screw up on the first one, it will be in the basement and hopefully he won’t be too mad.”