2. Victoria

2

VICTORIA

I hated the sound of my Porsche's tires crunching gravel. Each bump made me fear they might pop. But this is what you wanted, V .

The passenger seat held a thick stack of papers. From the front page, the heading "Real Estate Purchase Agreement" stared back at me.

I gently pulled the Carrera in front of the two-car garage, the stunning lakefront shimmering to my left. Shutting off the engine, I hopped out of the driver's seat and surveyed the place with a massive sigh.

Past the stunning lake and my beautiful car towered the crumbling farmhouse. Even from the ground, the slant of the roof was apparent. Biting my lip, I couldn't help but wonder if this was all some massive mistake.

At least I can sell it if I hate it.

It was a luxury I was still adjusting to, knowing that whatever money I spent could easily be returned to me.

I shook my head as I walked toward the house, crossing the driveway to reach the overgrown flagstone path to the front door.

Behind me, the black wrought iron gate swung open for the pickup trucks. I looked over my shoulder, waving at them as they filed into the driveway. While they parked, I tucked in my button-down, careful to seem put together.

After a moment, a truck door slammed behind me. But instead of turning to look, I stared off at the water. The water reflected sparkling diamonds back at me.

"It's quite the catch." A voice hollered from behind.

As Robin sidled up to me, I nodded. "It is."

Robin sighed. "I begged the town to let me have it for over a decade, and they wouldn't budge."

Turning to look at my contractor, I smirked. "Did you try throwing five million at them?"

"No, obviously not." Robin laughed, nudging my shoulder with her fist. "So, Ms. Bradley, want to walk through your new place?"

Nodding, I headed toward the front door. It only took a few strides, my red-bottomed heels clicking against the stone. The wood decking bent under my feet as I pulled the key from my pocket.

"I'm surprised they even bothered to lock the door." Robin teased.

I shrugged. "They had to stop vagrants like you from trying to claim squatter's rights."

As the door swung open, Robin's jaw dropped. Even in this horrendous shape, the house was stunning. The ceilings were surprisingly high for a nineteenth century home.

I crossed the threshold, letting the floorboards creak as I walked into the house for the first time. My shoulders relaxed at the sound. It had been a long time since I'd heard an old house. Every place I'd lived in since the app took off was newly built.

Robin's head tilted back as she looked up at the exposed beams. "Wow, those things look incredible."

I nodded. "Ideally, we keep as much of the original material as possible."

"I've got the architect's plans in my truck. And you know I'm not going to toss anything we don't absolutely have to." Robin wandered through the entryway.

Walking through the foyer and into the smaller living room, I looked at the crumbling sheetrock. "You're sure you can have it done in time?"

Robin nodded, taking notes as she looked at the outlets. "Victoria, if I couldn't do it, I wouldn't have taken the job. But you are going to need a stellar interior designer. Someone who can work fast."

The words brought me back to earth. I hadn't selected a designer yet. Everyone I'd worked with in the past had far too modern taste. This house needed… something else.

I stared out of the front windows, overlooking the water. Beyond the lake was over a hundred acres of untouched forest. It was the perfect sanctuary for me to figure out what was next. But only after the big, end-of-summer Labor Day party.

"Have anyone in mind?" I looked over my shoulder at Robin.

Robin shrugged. "My sister-in-law is great. She's local. We've worked together on the places of mine you've seen."

I raised an eyebrow at her. "And do you work with her because Zoey insists on it?" If anyone knew how pushy Zoey could be, it was me. I'd hired her to plan a massive launch party for Pop.

Rolling her eyes, Robin groaned. "No, rude. I worked with Sarah long before me and Zoey were together."

"Is that how you two met? Through Zoey's sister?"

Robin shifted, and a light blush crept onto her cheeks. "No…"

From the way she shifted her weight, I could tell there was something she wasn't saying. "When we're not in the middle of renovating what should be a tear down, I want to hear that story." Then, after a minute of debating in my mind, I nodded. "Where can I find her?"

Robin looked at her watch. "She should be at her studio now, or I can give you her number."

A group of workers came in through the front door, decked out in demolition gear.

Biting my lip, I nodded. "Text me both."

Robin opened her phone and sent over the information.

As I checked the message, I couldn't avoid the string of unanswered texts from my friends. An old college roommate said:

Heard you're living in the boonies now. Ran through all the women in LA?

I rolled my eyes. The rest were congratulations on the sale and a few wondering when they could visit.

Turning back to Robin, I tapped my phone against my palm. "And Zoey is like… not going to plan this party for me, right?"

Robin's head dropped. "Damnit, Vic. I was hoping you wouldn't ask that."

"Why?" I grinned.

Sighing, Robin put her hands on my shoulders. "Because, now that you've asked, I have to tell her. And then, my pregnant partner is going to insist on working up to her due date."

A laugh erupted from my chest, as I shrugged. "That's what you get for being in such a blissful marriage."

"I'll mention it to her." Robin relented.

With a nod, I turned back to the lake as Robin began directing her crew. It was a big task: renovating a falling down building in a matter of months. But I needed to make it work. Otherwise, I wasn't sure what the fuck I was doing in New Winford.