Page 95 of Famous Last Words
“So good to finally meet you,” Alex says, pulling back and offering me a grin. “I’ve heard so much about you that I feel like I know you already.”
My cheeks flush at his words, wondering what the hell Robbie has been saying about me.
“Come on in,” I say, inviting Alex inside.
“Oh, wow. This is nice.” With his hands tucked in the pockets of his sweats, he looks around, nodding, and I must say, I’m more than a little smug.
“Okay, so we’re right on the border of Hell’s Kitchen. Your training facility is literally only three blocks away.”
“Yeah, that’s where I came from. I walked,” Alex enthuses. “Took me six minutes.”
I smile, leading him through to the kitchen. “Now I know you said you were looking for a one-bedroom just for you, but I really wanted to show you this unit because it’s actually two bedrooms.” I turn in time to see his jaw drop, and Ican’t help but beam. “I know it’s just a place to crash after the games, but I thought…” I shrug. “If it’s within your budget—which itis, because it’s a steal—then why not add in an extra room so when the baby is old enough to come to the games, you have somewhere comfortable to stay as a family.”
Alex arches a brow, and I know he’s dubious. “Tell me more about this so-calledsteal.”
I offer him a conspiratorial wink, nodding for him to follow me. “Let me show you around.”
I point out all the features of the apartment, from the brand-new oak flooring, to the double-glazed windows in the bedrooms, to the view of the Empire State Building in the distance, to the sleek and high-end bathroom finishes.
We finish up back in the kitchen, and I try to gauge Alex’s thoughts by his reaction, but for a happy-go-lucky guy, he’s surprisingly pokerfaced.
“You told me your budget is 1.25,” I begin, and he nods. “This place isn’t yet on the market, but the owner needs it gone quick. He took a job in London. He’s already gone.”
“What do you think it’ll take?” Alex asks.
“You have two beds, two baths, eleven-hundred square feet, in a fully secure building with full amenities, six minutes from your training center. A parking spot can be negotiated with the fees so that during the off-season when you don’t have to come down to the city so much, you can remove the parking fee.” I continue, “I think if we come in strong with all cash, no contingencies, quick close, we could probably get it done at 1.1.”
Alex’s eyebrows climb so high, they get lost behind his floppy hair. He rubs his chin, scanning the apartment, and I think I might have him sold.
“Is it okay if I go home and have a chat with Cassidy?”
I nod. “Of course. Your wife?”
“Yeah.” A huge grin spreads across his face, and he reaches into his pocket and pulls out his phone. Suddenly, he’s showing me photos of a beautiful brunette holding an adorablechubby-cheeked baby with a shock of thick dark hair that almost looks unnatural on an infant.
“He’s gorgeous!”
“Thanks.” Alex smiles, a proud look in his eyes as he gazes down at his phone. “Those two are my whole world.”
I feel an unfamiliar tug in my chest, and suddenly I’m thinking things I have absolutely no right to think, but it’s hard not to with this big, tough hockey jock in front of me literally turning to mush as he talks about his family. I didn’t think hockey guys—or any athletes—could be soft and sentimental, like it wasn’t in their DNA. Now, however, I can’t help but wonder if Robbie might ever be like this. And, if he is… could it possibly be with me?
I stand with Hannah outside the Thunder’s locker room after their win against Baltimore. The energy in the tunnel is electric, and as I bounce on my heels, I realize I can’t wait to see Robbie walk out that door.My, how things have changed…
When the door to the locker room opens, the crowd of young kids that have been granted access start to get rowdy, and a few of the players appear, stopping to sign autographs and take photos. I spot Alex, and when his eyes meet mine, he waves in that way that usually means someone wants to talk to you, so I approach and wait for him to finish doing his thing.
“Hey, Fran.”
“Hey, good game,” I smile.
“Aw, thanks.” He’s so modest, it’s adorable. “Hey, I spoke with Cass, sent her the photos and the video I took, and we want to put in that offer.”
“That’s awesome.” I really wasn’t expecting his response so soon, so I try to rein in my cool. “Text me your offer tonight, and I’ll speak with the seller’s agent first thing in the morning.”
“If we need to go up, obviously we have a little wiggle room, but I’d like to try?—”
I hold a hand up, stopping him. “Say less. We’ll get it done.”
“Thanks, Fran.” Alex moves in and wraps an arm around me.
