“So that’s the grand tour. Like I said, it’s not much, but it’s mine.” I glanced over at Kyle, making sure that he wasn’t getting too worn out as I showed him around my home. “And right around the corner here is the guest room.”

Kyle’s eyes were everywhere as we walked through the house, avidly tracking the different details from crown molding to the baseboards. He shook his head with a dazed look in his eyes when he noticed I’d caught him looking around so intently.

“I can’t believe I never noticed your car out front or knew where you lived. I’ve been fantasizing about living here on Sycamore for as long as I can remember. Like, you have no idea how obsessed I am with this entire neighborhood, Dallas.”

“You wouldn’t have seen my car, because I usually keep it in the garage. I only parked in the driveway today to make it easier for you to get out. The garage is a little crowded, so I tend to park farther over, but that blocks the passenger door. So tell me, why have you been fantasizing about my neighborhood?”

His eyes widened with appreciation as he brought a hand to his chest. “What’s not to love? The houses are so cute and unique. They look like a place a person would want to settle down, raise a family, and grow old in. Something about these old cottages just makes me want to put down roots.” He looked horrified as if he’d said something wrong. “I mean… I didn’t mean you… I…”

I chuckled and held up a hand. “Don’t sweat it, I know what you meant. Why do you think I bought this place? I had the same reaction. I’ve always wanted my own family, and this is just the place I’d want to raise my kids in one day. When I saw it, I knew it had to be mine. But enough of that, I could go on for hours. Come on, let me show you to your room.”

Kyle followed with relief written across his face that I’d let the awkward moment pass so smoothly, and I showed him the guest room with its attached bathroom. When he saw his things hanging in the closet, he turned with a hint of confusion on his face.

“My things have already been moved in? When did that happen? I only agreed to come stay with you yesterday.”

“Yes, and when we left the hospital yesterday, Houston came over with your things and set the room up for you.” When I realized that he had no idea what I was talking about, I explained further. “After you were brought into the hospital, Houston found out from a friend who works as an EMT how you’d been found. They’d left your things there, and Houston and Lukas went by with Beau and checked later while Gid and I sat at with you at the hospital while you were out of it. Your stuff was still spread out on Fred’s lawn when they got there, so they bagged it up and Houston took it home for safekeeping.”

Kyle’s nostrils flared with a rare sign of anger. “Are you kidding me? That’s such bullshit! I always knew that Fred was a bit of an ass, but I never would have thought him capable of that level of meanness. Especially after what he did to me. I’m not sure if it’s rubbing salt into an open wound, or flaunting the fact that he could get away with it.”

I shook my head. “It’s over now, Kyle. It’s time to start moving forward and putting that chapter behind you. I don’t expect it to happen overnight, but please don’t let that guy have free rent in your head forever.”

“Well, there is one bright side,” he said after a moment’s thought. “Now I can actually follow that healthy diet that a certain pesky trainer keeps trying to get me on.”

“See? Every cloud has a silver lining,” I chuckled. “Having you here will actually be great because we can follow a healthy diet together. In fact, why don’t you help me plan the menu?”

Kyle hesitantly chewed his lip, nervousness shining from his eyes. “I don’t know if I’m good at that kind of thing. I mean, planning a healthy menu for an entire month.”

I was stunned. The idea that a trained chef would even be second-guessing himself told me volumes about the relationship he’d finally escaped. I crossed my arms over my chest and leaned back against the dresser as I looked at Kyle.

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but are you or are you not the same guy that single-handedly planned and catered that awesome party for my brother’s charity last year?”

Kyle blushed furiously. “But what if that was a one-off? Maybe I got lucky, I don’t know. It just feels like maybe that ship has sailed for me to start my catering business or work as a chef.”

I shook my head again. “No, that was not a one-off or luck. That was you doing what you do best. But you know what? That’s okay for now. If you can’t have confidence in yourself, then I’m just going to have it for you until you do. Now come on, let’s go plan our menu for the month.”

As he followed me back down the hall to the dining room, Kyle worried aloud about whether or not he’d be able to continue with training.

I pulled out a chair for him at the dining table before grabbing my tablet and sitting down across from him as I powered it on. While it got going, I gave Kyle my best evil trainer grin as I waggled my brows.

“Don’t doubt your trainer, kiddo. I can work around your injuries. If nothing else, there’s always the treadmill. Besides, we still have three weeks to go on our eight-week bet.”

Kyle looked surprised. “Are we really still doing the bet that you came up with even though I’ve been eating horribly and now I’m injured?”

“Seriously? Why wouldn’t we? Besides, now if I win—when I win—you’ll owe me a date, remember? Your only excuse before was that you had a boyfriend. You seem to be free of that obligation now.”

I immediately regretted mentioning Fred when Kyle’s eyes shuttered and he seemed to shut down. “Kyle, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have said…” My voice trailed off as Kyle held up a hand to silence me.

“You know what? You’re right, so don’t apologize. I am single now, and if you’re still serious about actually wanting a date with me, then you’d better work harder on winning that bet.”

Flashing him my cockiest smirk, I gave him a thumbs-up. “Challenge accepted.”