Sparing the Heart (Pastime Pursuits #3) (12 page)

Are we still having this conversation from the other night? “In a few weeks. Why?”

“No reason. Just making small talk, that’s all.”

“We’re not getting married or anything. You know, like you are.” I cross my arms as his stare lingers. I’m sensing a bit of jealousy here and he’s the last person who should be jealous.

“Okay. Fair enough.” He shakes out of his trance. “Well, I’m going to get going. I’ll talk to you soon?”

The way he asks this piques my curiosity. He asks it in a way he’d be disappointed if he didn’t. Does he want to be sure we touch base again before the next game? Does he want to go out for a drink? Or compete on the Wii again? No. I’m sure that’s not it. “Definitely. I have a few houses to show you.” House-hunting and bowling, and sometimes plumber. That’s our relationship.

“Great. I’m looking forward to it.”

He leaves, and as he walks out the door, I want nothing more than to pull him back. But I can’t. I’m soaring through the sky, plunging toward the ground, and if I don’t stop falling …

I need to set him free.
 

••••••••••

Five-thirty rolls around and my stomach is grumbling. I’m not in the mood to cook. After Kellan left I dozed some more on the couch. The week wore me down. This time I slept with no nightmares. I don’t even recall
what
I dreamed about. All I do know is I’m craving Chinese. Twenty minutes later, I’m in front of the TV with crab rangoon and beef chop suey.

Television is something I don’t spend a lot of time on like others. There isn’t a show I tune into religiously or a channel I play in the background daily. I flip through the stations and recognize them, but none catch my attention longer than a few minutes. I used to love the house hunter and do-it-yourself shows, but with my job, I can’t stand them anymore. I always yell at the people on screen more than I watch the show. We’re not a good combination.
 

I stop on Channel 13. It’s 6:10 so I don’t think I missed Kellan’s segment. I zone out as the anchors go over the most recent news. An awkward chemistry bounces between the two. One minute they seem to genuinely like each other and the next one is almost rolling eyes at the other. I admire those who have the courage to be on live TV.
 
I’d fumble my words and probably end up having to scratch my nose and land my finger in it instead.

The female anchor advises the weather is up next with Kellan Valentine. When she says his name, my heart leaps into my throat for a second and I find I’m nervous for him. I’m unsure why. He does this every day. This is a breeze for
 
him. I’m anxious to see him on screen again, though. Yes, I keep quite a couple newscasts on my DVR so I can glance at him guilt-free from time to time.

After the commercial break, the anchor leads into Kellan, and he greets the audience with a beaming smile. His hair is slightly different from when I saw him just hours ago. He must have fixed it up when he got to the studio. If I’m not mistaken, I think he may be have on a dash of makeup, too. I’m not huge on wearing any myself. When I present an open house or a showing I use a little, otherwise, I toss on eyeliner and mascara, and that’s about I can handle.
 

Kellan commands the screen, pointing at the map of Wisconsin and strongly voicing his forecast for everyone. He’s so adorable. Man, my crush on him is obvious, and he’s totally off-limits. I snatch up my phone and snap a picture of him on the TV, with me smiling and giving him a thumbs up. I attach the shot to a text and add “Today’s forecast includes a photobomb by Kate.” I double-check Kellan’s contact info and hit send.
 

As he’s signing off, he jumps slightly. Ha! His cell is in his pocket! I laugh that I interrupted the segment, and love he didn’t even budge. He disappears off screen and I take another bite of my food.

My phone rings and I quickly grab it. Kellan. Before I answer I wipe my hands on my jeans and clear my throat, a smile superglued to my face.

“Hey! I was watching you!” I say as I pick up.

“I see that. Very cute. What were you eating?”

“Huh?” How could he tell I was eating anything? I touch my face. There’s nothing there. “Hold on.” I click to my pictures. There in my teeth is a huge piece of broccoli. “Lovely. I guess next time I’ll preview before I press the send button.”

Way to make an impression on him. I’m not surprised I made a fool of myself, though. Story of my life. Not like it matters, anyway.

“So, what was it?”

He really needs to know? “Chinese.” With a side of humiliation. Tonight’s special.

“Sounds good. I’m not done here for a few hours yet. Chinese food would hit the spot.”

Darn. My stupid stomach. Leave it to my hunger pains to ruin my chances of seeing him again tonight. “Maybe next time.”

“Yeah, maybe,” he says to me. “I’ll order some into the station.”

I want to offer to bring him some, but I’m not his girlfriend, and that’s something a significant other does. I contemplate surprising him, but decide that may be an even worse option.
 

“I better hang up. My final wrap up is in ten minutes.”

I don’t want to say goodbye. I’m tempted to invite him over. I can save some of my food and he can eat when he gets here. No. I can’t. That’s not right to do. Even if we
are
just friends, I should respect Macy. I doubt she would appreciate it if he had dinner with me. This relationship needs to be as platonic as possible. Hopefully my date with Ned will get rid of this school girl crush.
 

“Enjoy the rest of your evening at work. I’ll call you tomorrow about the houses I want to show you.”

“Great. I can’t wait.”

The problem is, I can’t either.

I meet Kellan two weeks later in a tiny suburb just out of Madison. It makes for a slightly longer drive, but you can’t beat the quiet and the acreage. Kids run through the yards and school buses busy the streets, not city transit. Out here is a whole different ballgame.

“I realize this isn’t your ideal location, but I think you will be surprised with what’s out here.” I open the door to the four bedroom, three bath home and we step into a large entryway so massive I need a moment to catch my breath.

“Wow. This is definitely something.” He scratches his head. “And it’s in my price range?”

“Yep.” I pull out the flyer and hand the spec sheet to him. “Near the top, but not over.” I move past him and twirl as I point to the three different directions we can go in the house. “Where do you want to start?”
 

“Well, first let me call Macy.” He takes his iPad and brings up Face Time. This is unorthodox, but the sellers agreed to allow it. When photographing or video, the owners of the house must pre-approve the action. Kellan wanted to be able to show her the prospective houses while she is out of town visiting family, and this is the earliest I could convince the homeowners to agree to the request.

“Macy! I’m here with Kate.”

“Great! I’m looking forward to meeting her.” He waves me over so I’m in Macy’s view. “Hi, Kate.”

Staring back at me in the tablet is a pretty woman and the complete opposite of what I imagined. She’s probably in her early thirties, not a wrinkle or sag in her face. She wears her brown hair in a bob, and her cat-like eyes are accented with dark liner and a purple toned shadow. Her lips look as though she just reapplied lipstick. I expected Cameron Diaz and got Katie Holmes. Both gorgeous, still, and a level of beauty I can’t compete with. “I’m glad to finally meet you.” I rub my throat like doing so will mask the crack my voice made. Why am I so nervous?

“You’re not bringing down the team, are you? You’re helping win the games, I hope.”

“Oh, she’s awesome,” Kellan praises.

I glance away from the screen, unable to witness Macy’s reaction. “Thanks. Anyway, I have this house for you today I think you’ll love.” I want to keep this as professional as possible.
 

“Considering you only know of me what Kellan’s told you, I’m interested in what you think will fit my tastes well.”

Challenging, but I don’t mind a challenge. Hell, I’m trying to sell
Janice’s
house. Still, I can’t help but sense bitterness in Macy’s voice. And a little distrust. “Okay, well as you can see this is quite a large entryway.”

Kellan flips the tablet around and moves it in a circle. “Honey, slow down. I’m getting dizzy here.”

“Sorry,” he says as he slows his turn. “I like this entrance. What a gorgeous chandelier!” He turns the iPad so she can take in the awesomeness of the light. “And check out these floors.” He’s now showing her the natural wood and how they complement the paint.
 

“Nice.”

She doesn’t offer any more words. Does this mean she is overwhelmed? Or she doesn’t like the house? “Okay, let’s move on. Which way? Right or left?”

“Um, left I guess.” He points that way with his darling, puzzled face.

“Follow me.” I turn on my heel (and they are spectacular heels I’m wearing) and lead him (and Macy) to the great room.

The vaulted ceiling takes me by surprise and our shoes echo throughout the room. The pictures in my database don’t do any kind of justice. “This is incredible.” He’s not looking at me, too mesmerized by the house. I love rooms like this where there is no distraction like a television, with cozy light furniture set against dark wood floors and windows inviting in the bright sun. This space deserve someone who can appreciate the ambience. This is somewhere I could enjoy a cup of tea and curl up with a paperback. Or lay my colored pencils out on the table and lose myself in the book for hours.

We keep walking through into the kitchen, which is easily the size of most of my condo. Cabinets surround the counters, which boast granite, something I’ll never afford. I show Kellan the huge pantry hidden behind a secret wall. Shelves stacked on top of additional counter space appeal to many buyers. “Do you cook a lot, Macy?” I make contact with her on the tablet again.

A laugh squeaks out of him. “She can dial the phone for delivery.”
 

“Kellan! I can cook. I just choose not to.” She looks at me. “Kellan likes to do the cooking, so why not let him?”
 

I slide my hand down the granite countertops as I smile and imagine him in an apron as he whips up a fancy meal.
Just an apron
.

“This kitchen
is
quite amazing.” He walks the perimeter again. “A tad big, though, don’t you think?”

“I love it.” I remember my kitchen back home, tiny and barely room to walk. The only decent sized cooking area I had was the one at the bed and breakfast, and that always was to make meals for other people. One like this would be amazing to me.

“Good thing it’s not up to you, Kate,” Macy interrupts.
 

I didn’t give the impression I was interested in the house, did I? This is the first time I’ve ever done something like this with a client on the tablet while we tour the house. The process is awkward, and I can’t decipher her body language, which bothers me. I can read Kellan’s just fine, and I don’t think he’s sold on this house.
 

“Well, I didn’t say I
hate
it. I agree that it’s quite large, though. Show us the rest,” Macy commands.

We continue through all the bedrooms and the bathrooms, which might as well be fit for a king. I thought this house was a winner, but he seems detached, as does Macy. I let the two of them talk and tell Kellan I’ll meet him by my car when they are done discussing the house.

I hope they make an offer. I’m not looking forward to any more situations where we have to do something like this again. In fact, I don’t think I would recommend this to any of my clients. The entire showing was a little annoying and I honestly think the easier route would be to wait until she can see the property in person. I lean against the trunk and zip up my jacket. I’m still getting used to the cooler, October weather. A text pops up from Ned while I’m scrolling through my apps.

Excited for our date. Hope you picked out something fun to do.

I did, and I’m slightly convinced he’ll think I’m crazy. I’m anxious for what I’ve planned. He had a few gigs with his band so we couldn’t schedule anything until now. Spending time with other adults is something I should have been doing over the past year. I wish I’d listened to my therapist sooner and made friends. I wasted so much time.

You bet I did. Be ready.

That will leave him guessing. I’m smiling as Kellan walks out with his iPad under his arm.

“So? What did you two think?”

“We like everything — the kitchen, the bedrooms, the stone in the bathroom. Not for me, though.”

“What about Macy? What did
she
think?”

He shoves his hands in his pockets. “You hit the nail right on the head, pinned her taste down.”

“Then she liked it? Why not make an offer?” We’ve been scouting houses for over a month now and he hasn’t even come close to writing a contract on any of them. Sure, he’s not in love with it, but together they can make this house a home. They’ll have plenty of room to grow. If he’s not searching for a starter home, then he should just jump into one they can raise a family in.
 

“
I’m
not there.
My
personality is missing. You found a house that fits her to a T, but I can’t imagine myself living here. It’s too … big and a lot of upkeep. I need something smaller.”

“Okay.” Smaller. I can definitely do smaller, but I’m not sure I can find something with so many upgrades that would be up to par with Macy’s preferences. This may prove more difficult than a first time homebuyer who is fresh into their twenties and think they can afford the world. “Let me work on this. I’ll come up with something.”

“Still keeping that box in your car?” He nods his head toward my back window.

“I’ll get to it.” What’s in my car is none of his concern, though I should probably do something with it soon. That piece of my dad is too important to me. I’m waiting for a special occasion.