Kissing Mr. Bradley

Chapter 27

Another week had passed.

I went on with life as normal as I could despite the fear I was harboring over my shoulder. Ethan took his own advice and business went on as usual. He left for a real estate seminar, leaving Ezra and I in charge of Bradley & Sons for the time being. Even though he was miles away, it seemed like he was close by. He would call every hour, making sure we were okay and still alive.

"I'm here now," I said over the phone as I got out of the car to the steps of the property I was to show for a client. "I'll talk with you after?"

"Please," Ethan said on the other end. "Is Ezra there with you?"

"He's stuck in city traffic," I told him. "We couldn't leave together because of the conference meeting but he should be here soon."

Ethan sighed. "Alright," he said. "Be careful, Saffron."
I hurried up the steps to the Storybook home. It was located in the middle of a neighborhood that was new to me.

The home was a quaint, white residence with a picket fence and the greenest grass and a rainbow of bushes. In the yard was a tree with ample shade and a tire swing. A home that was like something out of a fairytale.

I paced the front porch and called Ezra.

"Are you close?" I asked.

"I'll be there as soon as I can," he said. "Just make the client comfortable and try to make a sale."

I hung up the phone and did just that.

The client arrived in a pickup truck. He was different from the regulars. Instead of an expensive suit and tie, he casually wore all black with a baseball cap and white sneakers.

I held out my hand to him and introduced myself.

"I'd shake your hand," he said once we were inside. "But I've been working in construction all day."

"Construction?"

"Yup!" he exclaimed happily as he showed me his hands. "I have the blisters to prove it."

"No worries," I said. "My partner should be here any moment. Shall we start the tour?"

It started with small talk and questions about his job and family.

"It's just me," he said. "I live alone."

"Why this home?" I asked curiously as we made it to the kitchen.

The windows brought a natural light, brightening the home and making it appear even more pure.

"It's amazing," he replied. "One of the best I've seen so far."

He complimented the yellow painted walls in the kitchen, claiming it to be his favorite color.

"Hm," I thought. "That must be a good sign."

"And the backyard," he continued, looking out the window. "There's so much privacy here."

"It's a very peaceful neighborhood," I added.

He snapped his fingers. "Does this house remind you of something?" he asked suddenly as he took a step toward me. "Look around and tell me what this house reminds you of."

"I'm not sure," I said earnestly as he took another step with a questioning look.

"A fairytale!" he exclaimed. "Like the ones you hear about in books."

"You're right," I said. "That's how it got its name, Storybook."

I smiled through the discomfort as he rounded the kitchen and inspected every little thing that caught his eyes.