Page 6 of Easton

I laugh, then reiterate, “Okay, so what makes this showing so interesting?”

Raising a brow, she says, “Get this. The guy I’m meeting out at the property is a hockey player. Like a real live professional one. I’m talking NHL, baby.”

“Huh,” I say, nodding. “That is kind of neat.”

“Right? Anyway,” she continues, “here’s the story. This guy was a free agent this past summer and got picked up by the Phoenix Bears. When I spoke to him, he said he’s living in an extended-stay hotel at the moment that the team put him up in, but he’s anxious to settle into a house before training camp starts. He really likes this particular Cave Creek property because there’s a rent-to-own option.” She shrugs. “I don’t know. I just think it’s kind of cool overall. I’ve never had a pro sports player as a client.”

“Yeah, neither have I,” I say distractedly, as I’m wondering who this guy is. I don’t know, I just have a weird feeling, so I ask, “What team was he on before the Bears picked him up?”

Madison thinks it over for a beat, then says, “I think he said he was with the Thunder.”

Holy crap.

My heart starts racing. “The Thunder, huh?”

“Yeah.”

Sucking in a big breath of air, then releasing it slowly to calm my ass down, I ask as casually as I can, “What’s this guy’s name?”

“Easton,” she replies. “Easton Sonden.”

Holy fuck!

I need to play it cool. I’m not saying a word to Madison, since I don’t know if I’m ready for her to blab to Easton that she knows me.

But there is one certainty in my mind—I sure as hell plan to find out if he moves into that house.

And then I need to know exactly where it’s located.

Maybe, just maybe, if I work up the nerve, I might happen to be in the same area one day and show up on his doorstep.

Oh hell, who am I kidding?

Easton’s had such an exciting life since we last spoke that he probably won’t even remember me.

Living in a hotel sucks. Even if the Bears did put me up in a pretty nice one.

Still, I want to get into a house.

That’s why I’m glad I found a fucking sweet one up in an area called Cave Creek. It’s a big adobe structure with an infinity pool and fantastic views of the surrounding mountains.

I think I’d like living there.

No, I know I would.

There are hiking trails all around the property, which is great. I can go on runs in the mornings and take a few evening walks, just like the ones Claire and I used to take.

Nowthere’sa blast from the past.

She hasn’t been on my mind in ages.

Though, to be honest, I’ve been thinking about her a lot lately. I guess it’s because I’m back in Arizona, where we shared most of our teen years.

But nah, it’s more than just that. Claire’s twenty-seventh birthday is coming up on September 1.

That’s only a week away.

Fuck, I’ll never forget that date.

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