Chapter 15

Brett's closing day had finally arrived, and I was actually excited about it. Only because I knew it would be the last time I would have to interact with him. Like, ever.

"Do you want me to go with you?" Noah asked while I packed up my things.

I was scheduled for a final walk-through with Brett, and of course, I'd prefer Noah do it, but I was so close to the finish line that I wanted to cross it myself.

"I've got this," I told my loyal assistant.

"I know you do," he said.

"I'll meet Brett for a quick walk-through," I glanced at my watch. "Three hours from now, we'll be done. Forever."

"You are a champ," Noah said.

I rolled my eyes.

"I'm serious," he said, crossing his arms. "You're handling this Brett situation better than most would."

I sighed, "It's honestly freeing to look at him and feel nothing."

"Nothing at all?" he asked.

"Nothing," I admitted. "It's amazing."

∞∞∞

Angelica's yellow hair was the first thing I saw when I pulled into the driveway.

"Great," I said under my breath. I hated witnessing Brett's treatment of Angelica. To know that he treated me the same way, that other people witnessed it, was sickening.

It made me feel ashamed.

"Hi, Kenna!" Angelica squealed when she saw me.

The worst part was, she was genuinely sweet. Far too sweet for Brett.

"Down a notch," Brett scolded her.

Her shoulders sank in surrender to his wishes.

"Hi, Angelica!" I smiled warmly at her. "Brett," I said dryly without looking in his direction.

"You can stay down here," Brett informed me when we entered the foyer.

I shook my head, "I'd rather check as well. It's what I do."

"If you insist," he said. "We'll lead the way."

He made a show out of grabbing Angelica's ass while we walked down the hall. He looked back at me with her flesh still cupped in his hand to ensure I'd seen the show, and I smiled sweetly at him.

He thought he affected me.

Cute.

"Make sure to check anything and everything," I told them. "This is your last opportunity to address things with the seller."

"Oh, I'll be checking everything," Brett said as he fondled Angelica.

She looked uncomfortable with the show he was putting on. She was nothing more to him than the house he was purchasing.

His property.

"Okay, time to go to my attorney's office," Brett announced as he entered the guest bedroom where I stood. "I don't think we'll find any surprises here. The inspection went well the other day. We're just wasting time."

I had already completed my thorough double-checking of the house and found nothing of concern. Just because I disliked Brett didn't mean I would half-ass my job. I still cared about my reputation.

I trusted karma would make Brett her bitch in due time.

"As long as you're confident," I told him. "After the closing, this house is yours."

"Gees, thanks, Ken," he snickered. "I think I know how buying a house works."

"You've never purchased one before," I pointed out.

"It doesn't mean I'm incompetent," he said.

"You hired me," I reminded him. "It's my job to advise you."

"I know more than you do about the housing market, sweetheart," he scoffed.

I turned on my heel to respond to his comment, but when I saw his smug face staring back at me, my lips snapped shut. He was trying to get a rise out of me. I was pretty sure it was his form of foreplay. The only thing that got him off was putting others down.

I half-expected Angelica to stand up for a fellow woman, but the poor chick couldn't even stand up for herself. I should have known better than to expect her to say something on my behalf.

Brett strode towards his car, the keys already in his hands. Angelica sprinted to catch up, her heels clacking on the pavement.

"See you at my attorney's office," he said before they sped off.

The second part of our outing was better. Brett was too busy vying for the attention of other male professionals to pay me any mind. I gladly welcomed his lack of interaction.

By the end of closing, I was ready to make a break for it. My hand was on the door handle when I looked over my shoulder. With determination in their eyes, Angelica and Brett marched towards me in perfect unison.

"Kenna," Angelica began, "thank you so much for helping us find our dream home!"

She pulled me in for a hug before she produced an envelope from the depths of her designer purse. My name was printed meticulously on its face. I hesitated before taking it, but she held it out insistently. I reached out and felt the weight of the paper between my fingers, then looked back at her. She only gave me the smallest of nods.

"We hope you'll join us in celebrating our new home," Brett said as we stepped outside.

The gaudy envelope slipped from my fingers as soon as the words tumbled out of his mouth. I scrambled to grab the invitation as it floated down to the ground.

"How nice!" I feigned enthusiasm.

Brett's face was unreadable, but his left eyebrow arched higher as if asking a question.

"We hope to see you there!" Angelica said with a sweet smile.

Brett and Angelica intertwined their fingers as they stepped off the curb. He opened the passenger side door of his BMW for her, and she climbed in gracefully. I stayed behind, rooted to the concrete step of his attorney's office.

I watched Brett's car disappear around the corner before I finally shuffled over to my car. I felt the weight of it all as I slid into the driver's seat and picked up my phone.

Me:You were right.

Mallory:Knew it!

Mallory:Wait, about what?

Me:Brett.

Bridget:Oh no, what happened?

Me:Tell you over drinks? I'm in desperate need of one.

Mallory:I wish I could! I'm stuck at work until at least ten. Deadline.

Bridget:I'm out of town for the night!

Me:Guess I'll go to the bar by myself then.

Mallory:I'm sorry!!!!!!!! *pleading face emoji*

Bridget:We love you!

Me:Love y'all too.

I typed out one final text message, knowing it was a long shot.

Me:Are you busy tonight?

My heart felt like a lead weight as I drove out of the parking lot. I turned up the radio, hoping the music would drown out my scrambled thoughts.