Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 96752 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96752 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Like I’m going to tell him the real reason. Hey, you kind of broke my heart and the fact that I still want you to kiss me makes me wonder who the hell I am. But also history.
“Sparing it.” He sighs like I’m the worst. And I probably am in his head. “Spare it from what, Harper? From joining the modern age? Look, I am sorry I said those things to you earlier. I didn’t truly mean them. You made me feel small, and I did the same to you. I do understand what Banover means to you, but we don’t get to choose.”
“You mean I don’t get to choose.” I can’t help the bitterness in my tone. “Whoever is laying out the cash definitely gets to choose. I’m sure you get to choose all the time.” I’m the one who’s stuck in a corner, not Reid. I’m the one with no way to fight my way out.
“Far less than you would think,” he replies. “Is there anything I can say that will make this easier on you? I’ve been tasked with turning Banover Place into a home where someone who is alive in this century can reside. I was given specific, if odd, instructions, and they change every day.”
“Can I meet with the buyer? Maybe I can explain why it would be best to keep the place as original as possible.”
“She’s in Europe. I think the owner is a she,” he confesses. “I don’t know. We communicate through email. I sent her my presentation and she rejected it. Three times. I think we should be ready for her to decide she doesn’t need a ballroom.”
I sit up. “She wants to what? Get rid of the ballroom? Turn it into a mancave or maybe a bowling alley?”
“She wants to live at Banover Place with her family,” Reid points out. “That means turning it into a functional space. I know you think it’s sacred, but it was only sacred to the people who lived there. Now it will be sacred to someone else, and that almost always means change. I’m sorry. Luca told me we should discuss what parts of the house you think we should try to preserve.”
That’s an easy answer. “All of it. If she doesn’t want a Gilded Age mansion, I could show her fifty contemporary brownstones that would suit her.”
He huffs, a deeply frustrated sound. “Harper, that’s what I’m trying so desperately to tell you. No one wants to live in a Gilded Age mansion today. They don’t need servant’s quarters and parlors. No one throws balls anymore. It needs to be functional. Have you thought about working on historical homes? I know some people who would love to consult with a woman of your skills. There are places right here in the city that are museums, and they need restoration. I can even likely find someone to fund it.”
It’s a nice offer and one that I’ll think about for a long time, but it’s a pipe dream. I build grocery stores and parking garages. “I have a job. I’m risking it by taking this much time off. The truth is this is a moment in time for me. I’ll never get the chance to do something like this again, and the idea that it’s turned into tearing down everything beautiful about the home makes me sad.”
He’s still, as though trying to decide if he wants to continue. “Do you really think it’s ugly? My designs? I’m genuinely asking. I have a thick skin. I’d like your opinion. If this was any other home, what would you think?”
I sit for a moment, formulating a response because this is an important moment. He’s been honest with me. He’s working for someone. I’ve made him out to be the all-powerful wizard, but there’s someone tugging on his strings, too. I sigh and decide to be utterly honest with the man. “I think the designs are beautiful. The funny thing is that whole bringing nature inside is something Ivy and I have talked about forever. When we discussed building our dream homes, she wanted a courtyard. I think it’s mostly because she wanted to be outside in a place where she didn’t have to deal with people. Anyway, that’s what the sketch reminded me of. But not in a ballroom. I don’t want to know what the owner is going to eventually do with it, do I?”
“I’m not sure they know yet,” Reid replies, taking another sip. “And the great news is we have to pretend like it’s all my idea on camera. Like we’re coming up with it organically. I’m sure the last episode will be a bunch of people walking through the mansion like they’re thinking about buying it. And I’ll have to be there to show them through even though it’s already purchased.”