Page 74 of Fierce-Matt

“It’s nice to meet you both. Calvin should be here soon. I’m just turning the lights on and was going to do a quick walk through.”

“Do you mind if we follow you?” Paula asked. “This is a dream for us and we are so excited. The location is perfect. The price too.”

“Sure,” she said. That would teach Calvin to not be early. He’d run in fashionably late like he always did claiming he was held up with other clients.

The guy was a dick and always mansplaining everything to her. He wanted this listing and there was no way she was handing it over to anyone, least of all him.

“We are artists,” Sally said. “We’ve been looking for a gallery space and then realized it’d be great to have studio space with it.”

“Oh,” she said. “What kind of art?” Their enthusiasm was warming her heart.

“I work with several mediums,” Paula said. “Metals and woods primarily.”

“That sounds fascinating. What do you create?” She always liked to break the ice with her clients and this was no different in her eyes, even if she wasn’t representing them.

“Large statues and sculptures. Mostly private requested pieces, but it would be nice to display other pieces here,” Paula said. “It’s not that I think someone is going to walk off the street to buy one, but you never know.”

“I work in oils. The same with Paula, I’ve got a lot of private work for large canvas that you won’t normally see displayed ina store or even many galleries, but it’s not all I do. We want to expand our businesses to have a place to come and work each day, then use part of the building to showcase our work.”

“I love that idea,” Anya said. “And this location couldn’t be better.”

“Do you know much about the building itself? How long will it be before it’s empty?” Sally asked.

She smiled. “I actually do. This is my father’s business and building. He’s owned it for thirty-five years. He’s kept it up well. About ten years ago there was a lot of maintenance done on the structure. A new roof and the windows were replaced. The furnace and AC units were upgraded also.”

“Oh,” Paula said. “All the big things. We were going to ask about that. Calvin said he’d requested the information but hadn’t been given it yet.”

Her back teeth ached over that statement. Lying dick hadn’t talked to her aboutanything.

“Ask me whatever you want,” she said. She moved behind the counter, then a half wall. “The light switches are all here. The electrical is up to code. Work has been done on it over the years.”

“All these racks, are they secured to the floor and ceiling? And if not, will they be sold with the property?” Paula asked, moving over to look at one on the ground. “How easy would it be to move them?”

“They are only temporary fixtures. They could be removed easily enough. Most are just bolted in. The racks and shelving units could be included.” It was not anything she thought of and should have as the listing agent.

She answered a few more questions and laughed with the two women while the passion of their vision lit the room.

“I’m sorry I’m late,” Calvin said, opening the door. “I was held up with another client this morning. I’ve been so slammed, it’s hard to keep up.” Calvin put his hand out to shake thewomen’s hands. “I’m glad to finally meet you and not just have all our communication over email.”

Anya did not know Calvin hadn’t met the women yet. Typical of him. Lecturing her how to handle new clients and he’d been lying through his teeth to them.

“Not a problem,” Paula said. “Anya has been wonderful. We had no idea it was her father’s building and she’s answered all the questions we’ve sent you.”

Calvin looked at her, his eyes a little wide, his lips tight through his forced smile.

Caught, asshole!

“I’m glad you got what you were looking for,” Calvin said. He wasn’t going to admit he never sent those questions to her. Once a bullshitter, always one.

She never wanted to be like him.

“We did,” Sally said. “This place is perfect so far, but we haven’t moved from this spot other than glancing around.”

“Why don’t we take the tour now?” Calvin asked. “I’ve got it from here, Anya, if you want to stay upfront.”

“We’d like her to come with us,” Sally said. “She’s been so helpful and sweet. Is that okay, Anya? Or do you have somewhere to be?”

“I’d love to,” she said.