Page 74 of Unexpected

“I just got a call from an agent with a buyer who’s interested in the Miller place, and they want to see it again. She’s fairly confident they’re going to make an offer.”

Her eyes went wide. “Holy shit. The Miller place?”

I nodded. It was a twenty-million-dollar property, and after only a few weeks on the market, I’d found a buyer.

“Have you called the seller yet?”

I shook my head, shoving my tablet into my purse. “I will, but I’m heading over there now to show it.”

“That’s awesome,” Christine said.

“Thanks. Well, I better get going, unless you needed something…”

“I have some news of my own.” She grinned. “But it can wait.”

“What? Are you kidding? Tell me.”

“Jasper proposed last night.” She flashed me a brilliant smile, and it was only then I realized she had both her hands behind her back.

“Oh, I’m so happy for you! Let me see the ring.” I went over to her, holding out my hand. “Look at that,” I said, admiring the large, round-cut solitaire diamond surrounded by smaller diamonds. “It’s gorgeous.”

I’d been about the same age as Christine when I married Cal. And while I couldn’t say I regretted it, I’d definitely do things differently given another chance. Preston said he wanted forever, but I wondered if he really appreciated just how long forever could be. Especially if you weren’t with the right person.

“He totally surprised me.” Christine’s diamond sparkled under the lights as she talked. “But he had everything planned out. And it was so romantic,” she gushed.

I wondered if this meant she’d lose some of her competitive drive, that she’d be less focused now that her attention would be on planning the wedding. Christine was one of my best agents, consistently outselling the others. And I didn’t want to lose her.

“You have to let me throw you an engagement party,” I said, wanting her to know how much I valued her. My agents were a tight-knit group, and even though I was their boss, I liked to think I was their friend too. “Talk to Jasper and let me know what date works for you.”

“I’d love that,” Christine said. “Thank you, Alexis.”

“Of course.”

My phone rang, and she headed for the door. “I’ll get out of your hair. And congrats on the Miller deal.”

“It’s not a done deal yet.” I grabbed my phone off the desk, poised to connect the call to Shane, the general contractor for my Sycamore development.

“It will be.” She grinned, shutting the door behind her.

I wanted to share her optimism, but I’d been in this business long enough to know better than to consider a deal done until the ink was dry.

“Hey, Shane.” I cradled the phone between my shoulder and my ear as I headed for my car. “What’s up?”

“We have a little issue over at the house on Sycamore.”

“Okay.” I started the car, connecting the phone through my Bluetooth. “What is it?”

“The ground beneath the pool is worse than we thought. And the city won’t let us continue construction without an elaborate underground system.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “How much?”

“To dig out the ground, add the new foundations, and…”

“Just tell me how much,” I said, wanting to cut to the chase. I just needed to know how much it was going to set me back.

“Twenty.”

“Grand?” I sputtered.