'I'm really sorry. You have no idea how much I hate disappointing you, but Serena's plan is totally unrealistic.'
'That's okay. I totally get it. I kind of had a feeling it was too good to be true,' Lacey responded, trying not to let her profound disappointment show.
Serena stomped her foot in impatience. 'What did I say? Give me three minutes, and then react. Just listen for another two minutes, and then you can both go back to shooting down my idea before you even give it a chance.' She glared at them and then continued. 'What I was thinking is that the market is changing. Look at Lacey, she's single and childless. Sorry, Lacey, but you are. Usually someone like her would be restricted to an apartment or a small townhouse. But she also has a dog, which kind of limits her ability to live in either. Right, Lacey?'
'Yup, the neighbors complain if he makes any noise, so I leave him at my mom's house with her during the day while I'm at work.'
'See. Lacey doesn't need a lot of space, but she needs some separation from her neighbors. And it's the same for a lot of single moms. They want a yard for their kids to play in, but can't afford your standard three bedroom house. But what if we created something new? A community of very small, detached houses, with all the luxuries people want, but on a very small scale.'
Serena smiled, knowing she had their attention, and gestured toward the front of the house. 'If you used a similar floor-plan to this place, you could put a small bedroom or den there, with an attached en-suite. For guests or for a kid. Or you could build a loft over the living area.'
She waved her arm toward the back of the house. 'I know what you're thinking. It would still be pricey. But it wouldn't have to be this customized. I mean, I'm sorry, Jay, but that shower is ridiculous. And why do you need a front door that's ten feet tall? Do you guys see it? And how about seniors? Their population is skyrocketing, and they want to downsize. Many of them don't like apartments after living in houses for fifty years, and townhouses aren't an option because of all the stairs. Do you see the potential?'
Jack was looking at her speculatively. 'I don't know. It seems like a gamble.'
'It totally would be, if we were going to create the whole huge community at once. But what if we started off with just one unit? One very special place that would pilot the whole project. We could build something Lacey would love, at a discount that she could afford, and in return, she would let us use it as a Presentation Centre for a potential new development, just for a month or two. If there's no interest in it, then we could forget about the whole thing. But if it revolutionizes the real estate market, as I think it will, then we'll all be wildly successful and you'll have me to thank. Now, what do you think?'
'Wow. I'm speechless,' Lacey said, looking at Jack. 'What do you think? Is it possible?'
Jack rubbed his chin, and looked thoughtful. 'I think Serena knows that it's not quite that easy. You can't just show people a property that may or may not be built somewhere else. It's vaguely fraudulent. But the idea itself has merit. A community of small scale detached houses. Hmmm…I wonder where you came up with that?'
'I know. I totally stole the idea from Lacey. That's why I wanted her to be a part of it. She got me thinking about options for single professionals and how they are a huge untapped growth market.'
'I'll admit it. It has some merit.' Jack said. 'But I need some time to think about it, work out the logistics, and maybe, just maybe, if I can get my idiot brothers onboard with it, we can talk about it.'
Serena squealed and hugged Jack fiercely. 'Oh, and since it was my idea, I get a big chunk of the profits, plus my commission, right?'
'We'll talk about it.' He turned to Lacey, who was looking a little shell-shocked. 'What do you think, Lacey? Would you consider it? I mean, if we decide to go ahead with it. You and I might have to spend some time together, going over plans, and deciding on where we can cut costs. Could you handle that?' He held his breath, waiting for her response.
If this actually happened, then it was the perfect opportunity to get to know her better and see if she might be open to a strictly physical relationship. Otherwise, he was going to be forced to be direct, and that didn't really feel like the right approach. Asking a sweet woman like her if she wanted to be his sex toy seemed unlikely to get a positive response. It might even get him a slap. Maybe prolonged enforced contact with him would take care of the awkwardness and things would just happen naturally. He wasn't a saint. If a little seduction was required, then he was certainly up for it.
'I really don't know,' Lacey said, shaking her head. 'I'm totally overwhelmed. The thought of my own place, especially something this lovely, in the perfect neighborhood, and in my price range, didn't even seem like a possibility before. I feel like I really shouldn't get my hopes up. Or there's going to be some kind of nasty string attached. I'm not going to have to parade around naked out front to attract buyers or something, am I?'
'Personally, I think that is a great idea. Let's write that into the contract,' Jack said, only half kidding.
'You're a pig,' Serena said to Jack, but smiled as she said it. She turned to Lacey. 'I can't make any promises, but I think this might actually happen. And if I know Jack, it will happen fairly quickly. He prides himself on being a man of action. So, you need to decide if you want to be a part of it. You gave me this idea, so I really do want to return the favor. Take tonight, and think about it seriously. This is kind of an unorthodox proposition so I get it if you're hesitant. Change can be scary, even if it's positive. But let me know soon, okay? This is an opportunity to have exactly what you want, and that doesn't happen all that often. All you have to do is say the word.'
Was it just Lacey's imagination or did it seem like Serena wasn't talking about real estate anymore? 'I really don't need to think about it. If your plan is really possible, without going outside my budget, then I am totally up for it. What's a few hours a week as an Open House compared to twenty years in my own home.' Wow! Her own home. That sounded so wonderful to her, she could hardly believe it. And even if Serena's plan didn't work out, at least there was chance that she might get to spend some quality time with Jack. Serena was right. How often did an average girl like her get to spend time with her dream guy while building her dream home? She'd be a fool not to jump at the opportunity.
'Okay, then. The brains of this operation are clearly onboard. Now, all we need is the brawn. Jay? When do you think you can get some kind of definitive answer from your minions?' Serena asked, looking expectantly at Jack.
'Don't push it, Serena. I said I'd talk to them. You're just going to have to wait and see,' Jack said, crossing his arms across his chest again.
'Fine. Pretend you haven't already decided this is going to happen. Play your little game, but we both know you would have shut me down five minutes ago if you didn't think it was a great idea. Now, I have an appointment with a man with powerful hands and a bottle of lube, so I need to take off.'
'No one needs to hear about your deviant sex life, but thanks for the mental image, Ess,' Jack said, with a pained expression on his face.
'A massage, you pervert. I have an appointment with Klaus, my masseur. Presenting brilliant ideas gets me so tense, I really need him to work me over tonight.' She wiggled her eyebrows at Jack suggestively, and he rolled his eyes.
'You're a sick individual, you know that, right?' Jack said, shaking his head.
'Yup. But it's genetic. Oh, by the way, are you heading into town tonight, Jay?' Serena asked, her eyes wide with innocence. 'Maybe you can give Lacey a ride if she wants to stay here and check out your hardwood?'
'Subtle, really subtle, Serena,' Jack muttered. 'Lacey, ignore her. You're welcome to stay and hang out if you want. I was going to head into town in about an hour anyway.' This wasn't actually true. He usually worked late into the evening. But she didn't need to know that. 'So, I'd be glad for the company if you want to explore a bit.' That had sounded a bit dirtier than he'd intended, but after Serena's 'hardwood' comment his mind was firmly in the gutter.
'No, really. Thanks for the offer, but you obviously have a lot of work to do. You don't need me here distracting you from your rubbing, I mean, sanding. I'll just get a ride with Serena.' Other than the flush staining her cheeks, Lacey valiantly ignored her slip. Hopefully, they would too.
'Lacey, I would be happy to drive you. Please stay. I insist.' And help me with my rubbing, he thought to himself with a grin. Obviously, he wasn't the only one having dirty thoughts here.
'I seriously have to go,' Serena said, walking toward the door. 'Lacey, are you coming? I'd be glad to call ahead and see if Klaus can squeeze you in with his partner, Clay. I mean, it seems like you have some tension of your own to work out. So, a massage might be just the thing. Jay will let us know what's happening with 'The Plan,' won't you, Jay?'
Jack was trying block the image of any other man rubbing Lacey's smooth olive skin with scented oils. Just the thought made his vision cloud with a red mist. He felt his fists clench of their own accord. There was no way he was
