“I hope I get to see you again soon.” She took my hand and covered it with both of hers.

 

“It was very nice meeting you too, Eric. I definitely think we’ll be seeing each other.”

 

I stepped back as Gabriel folded his massive bulk into the passenger’s side of the car. Kristina paused just before getting into the driver’s seat and favored me with another glacier-melting smile.

 

I was glad that I ran into them when I did. It would have been a shame to waste my time getting the place cleaned up, only to realize that I could have sold it without getting my hands dirty. I got into my truck, turned my satellite radio to a folk music station, and backed out onto the narrow road. As I drove toward the highway, I began to wonder about Gabriel’s sudden offer to buy the property at its list price. He must be a wealthy man to be shelling out damn near a million dollars in one sitting. A man with that much money could buy a nice two-story colonial or something down in Morganton. Why would he want to spend his money on a ratty old cabin out in the middle of nowhere? The place did not even have a working toilet. After a few moments of pondering, I shrugged and dismissed the thought. My goal was to sell the property, and I had done just that. The man could be a damn drug dealer for all I cared, as long as his check cleared. A few days later, Kristina gave me a call to let me know that she had set up a closing date.

 

“That’s great,” I said, “Although I have to admit that I’m looking forward to seeing you again more than I am to selling the cabin. Do I really have to wait until the closing, or could I take you out to dinner tomorrow night?”

 

“Dinner would be really nice, but if we’re going on a date, we should wait until after the closing. Conflict of interest, and all that.” She replied.

 

Score!

 

“I understand.” I said. “Until then, I’ll just have to look forward to the closing.”

 

“So will I. Goodbye, handsome.” She hung up.

 

I’ve always had good luck with women. My old man was a good-looking guy, and I am pretty much his spitting image. Back in those days, I was very active (not to mention well fed) and spent a lot of time at the gym and the dojo. I had a decent physique in spite of my frequent indulgence in alcohol; a habit I picked up after my parents died.

 

A couple of weeks later, I made the drive back up to Kristina’s realty office for the closing. Gabriel was already there lounging in the lobby, his massive bulk straining the legs of a plush red chair. He gave the poor little piece of furniture a reprieve as he stood up to greet me when I came through the door. He held out a massive paw, and as I shook his hand, I was again reminded of his immense strength.

 

“Nice to see you again Eric.” He said. “Are we going to wait for your agent to get here before we start?”

 

“Bruce will be joining us by conference call.” I replied. “Honestly, I don’t think the little jerk deserves his commission considering that he hasn’t had to do any work for this sale. I’d rather spend that money taking your agent out to dinner.”

 

Gabe laughed, and gave me a wink. “She is a beauty, ain’t she? You gonna try to get a piece of that?”

 

I laughed, surprised by his candor. “God I hope so. If I strike out, maybe you should ask her out.”

 

“Oh hell no, not me. I’d break that poor little thing in half.