general direction of next door, as she wandered around the open main level, debating aloud whether a sectional would fit better than a sofa and loveseat.
Ali’s wheels were turning the second she heard Army Ranger and she casually pimped Donna for more information. “That sounds impressive. What does he do now?”
“He owns a security firm. Seems to do pretty well, although he grumbles about dealing with the celebutantes now and then. You know, the high maintenance ones famous for being famous. In my day all a sex tape got you was a grainy view of your artificial tan and a bad reputation.” She grinned, as if she had first hand experience, and continued her perusal of the large living room. “Women have always come easy for him, but thankfully Sam hates the vapid ones. Come look at this gorgeous chiseled travertine on the fireplace. It’s original to the house and was brought in from Italy. Now I know it’s wood burning and you prefer gas, but I think we could easily have it retro-fitted without too much demolition or cost. Wouldn’t that be perfect on a chilly winter night?”
A security firm. Sam.
“The fireplace is lovely. What’s the name of his company?”
“Who? Sam’s?” At Ali’s nod, she said, “Scorpio Securities. They can install an updated system for you. The one currently in place may be adequate, but you’ll definitely want to have it inspected. It will lower your insurance premiums, too. The windows are all double pane and the kitchen and bathrooms recently remodeled. You can see that no expense was spared. And did I mention the stainless steel appliances are included?”
“I’ll take it.”
Donna’s eyes widened at Ali’s quick decision, but she reached for her tablet immediately, nearly tripping over herself to seal the deal. “Terrific! You’re gonna love this place, Ali. Now the asking price is a bit above the area comps, so in my opinion the property is overpriced. What do you think you want your starting offer to be?”
“Full price. In cash.” Ali stepped out onto the porch, glancing not at the spectacular view of the water, but at the modern home next door before turning back to Donna. “But I need to be in immediately. The sooner, the better.”
***
Sam Gleeson. Co-Owner and Domestic Operations Manager for Scorpio Securities, Inc. Age thirty-five. Graduated West Point. Former Army Ranger and Sniper in the 75th Regiment. Those were the bullet points highlighted in the biography on his company website. The only thing it didn’t say was overachieving bad ass with a fully functioning brain. Oh, and what was wrong with him. Because no man was as perfect in real life as this guy appeared to be on paper.
By the time her offer on the house was accepted and Donna Gleeson Decker had called to give her the good news, Ali had hatched a completely unrealistic and ill-conceived plan. But before she went any further, there were a few more answers she needed regarding the allusive and unknown Sam Gleeson.
“I forgot to ask you about kids. Are there a lot of kids in the neighborhood?”
Donna hesitated. “I’m not sure, Ali. I didn’t know that was an issue for you.”
It hadn’t been. Until now. “I was just wondering if the neighbors had kids that might be running around, riding their bikes or skateboards. And is it more single people or married? You know, wife and two-point-five kids kind of thing?”
Donna quickly replied, “I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.”
Her phone, still a burner, rang not ten minutes later.
“I checked with Sam. He says he never sees kids running around. Dogs, though, so I hope that’s okay. They’re supposed to be on a leash, but you know how that goes.”
“How about married couples?” Now she just sounded like an idiot, but Jesus, how many ways did she have to ask if he was attached or not?
A clearly confused Donna said, “Well, I don’t think there’s much of a singles scene if that’s what you’re asking, but the
Ali’s wheels were turning the second she heard Army Ranger and she casually pimped Donna for more information. “That sounds impressive. What does he do now?”
“He owns a security firm. Seems to do pretty well, although he grumbles about dealing with the celebutantes now and then. You know, the high maintenance ones famous for being famous. In my day all a sex tape got you was a grainy view of your artificial tan and a bad reputation.” She grinned, as if she had first hand experience, and continued her perusal of the large living room. “Women have always come easy for him, but thankfully Sam hates the vapid ones. Come look at this gorgeous chiseled travertine on the fireplace. It’s original to the house and was brought in from Italy. Now I know it’s wood burning and you prefer gas, but I think we could easily have it retro-fitted without too much demolition or cost. Wouldn’t that be perfect on a chilly winter night?”
A security firm. Sam.
“The fireplace is lovely. What’s the name of his company?”
“Who? Sam’s?” At Ali’s nod, she said, “Scorpio Securities. They can install an updated system for you. The one currently in place may be adequate, but you’ll definitely want to have it inspected. It will lower your insurance premiums, too. The windows are all double pane and the kitchen and bathrooms recently remodeled. You can see that no expense was spared. And did I mention the stainless steel appliances are included?”
“I’ll take it.”
Donna’s eyes widened at Ali’s quick decision, but she reached for her tablet immediately, nearly tripping over herself to seal the deal. “Terrific! You’re gonna love this place, Ali. Now the asking price is a bit above the area comps, so in my opinion the property is overpriced. What do you think you want your starting offer to be?”
“Full price. In cash.” Ali stepped out onto the porch, glancing not at the spectacular view of the water, but at the modern home next door before turning back to Donna. “But I need to be in immediately. The sooner, the better.”
***
Sam Gleeson. Co-Owner and Domestic Operations Manager for Scorpio Securities, Inc. Age thirty-five. Graduated West Point. Former Army Ranger and Sniper in the 75th Regiment. Those were the bullet points highlighted in the biography on his company website. The only thing it didn’t say was overachieving bad ass with a fully functioning brain. Oh, and what was wrong with him. Because no man was as perfect in real life as this guy appeared to be on paper.
By the time her offer on the house was accepted and Donna Gleeson Decker had called to give her the good news, Ali had hatched a completely unrealistic and ill-conceived plan. But before she went any further, there were a few more answers she needed regarding the allusive and unknown Sam Gleeson.
“I forgot to ask you about kids. Are there a lot of kids in the neighborhood?”
Donna hesitated. “I’m not sure, Ali. I didn’t know that was an issue for you.”
It hadn’t been. Until now. “I was just wondering if the neighbors had kids that might be running around, riding their bikes or skateboards. And is it more single people or married? You know, wife and two-point-five kids kind of thing?”
Donna quickly replied, “I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.”
Her phone, still a burner, rang not ten minutes later.
“I checked with Sam. He says he never sees kids running around. Dogs, though, so I hope that’s okay. They’re supposed to be on a leash, but you know how that goes.”
“How about married couples?” Now she just sounded like an idiot, but Jesus, how many ways did she have to ask if he was attached or not?
A clearly confused Donna said, “Well, I don’t think there’s much of a singles scene if that’s what you’re asking, but the
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