Page 11 of False Start

“I won’t waste your time,” he promised. “One, because I respect you—”

I flattened my lips at that.

“And two, because I don’t have time to waste. I need to be settled by the time the season starts, and I already have my hands full trying to get my body and mind in shape to play at the level I need to. Add in the fact that everyone and their fucking mom keeps inviting me to weddings, and you could say my availability is scarce.”

I didn’t miss how he sat back in his chair with a little more force than necessary when he added that, drinking his water with more gusto. I was surprised he didn’t order a drink when he sat down. I knew whyIdidn’t, but this was a pro athlete who I knew for a fact partied harder than a whole fraternity of college boys.

I’d seen the pictures, the videos fromThe Pit— whatever the hell that was.

“Do you have time to commit to seeing houses?”

Kyle’s eyes flicked between mine. “Whatever spare time I have is yours.”

I nodded, ignoring how my chest fluttered at the way he said those words. “Good. Now, I have a few questions.”

“So do I.”

That startled me, and I smoothed my hands over the napkin in my lap before folding them on the table. Of course he had questions. This was essentially like an interview. He didn’t have to hire me as his realtor — despite the way I acted like the job was already mine.

“Okay, go ahead.”

His eyes were like the sea. They always had been. Green in some light, blue in others, a deadly combination of the two when the sun was setting and casting his face in a warm glow. Right now, they leaned more in the deep blue direction, and they searched mine like he saw right through me.

He always had.

“You’re married.”

“That isn’t a question,” I pointed out.

“Your last name is different, but you don’t have a ring on your finger.”

I covered my left knuckles like I had something to hide. “Very observant, but still not a question.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

Madelyn

I blinked, mouth falling open before I bit it shut again. “This is inappropriate and not necessary to our business. May I proceed with my questions?”

Kyle didn’t like that answer. I saw it by how his jaw ticced, by how his eyes flicked to where I was still covering my ring finger like a secret.

But he sat back on a nod, waving his massive hand over the table as a sign for me to take the wheel.

I cleared my throat, reading over the notes I’d made in his file. “You didn’t have any preferences on neighborhoods, which leaves a very wide expanse of land to cover. You really don’t care where you live? Perhaps we should start in one of the more affluent and protected neighborhoods?”

“I can handle security after I buy,” he said, dismissing the thought quickly. “What I care about more than anything is that I like the house.”

“Right...” I said, flipping through my notes. “Which is going to be slightly difficult to find, considering your preferences aren’t super specific. You want...” I scanned until I found thatpart of the questionnaire I sent him. “A pool, a dedicated space for a gym, a chef’s grade kitchen, six bedrooms, a four-car garage minimum, and a nice view.”

“See? That’s plenty to narrow down choices.”

“In Seattle?” I chuffed a laugh, closing the binder. “You’d be surprised.” I paused a moment. “Okay, so, I understand the gym and the pool. When it comes to the kitchen, what are you specifically looking for?”

“I want something well-equipped for my nutritionist and chef to work in, as well as the kind of kitchen made for entertaining.”

I nodded. “Okay, and then... six bedrooms. Any flexibility there?”

“No.”