CHAPTER SIX
Wyatt crawled down the Los Angeles freeway, feeling more alive than he had in months. His truck had arrived from Texas yesterday, a fully loaded silver Ford F-150 that he’d bought with his first paycheck after being drafted. He gripped the steering wheel in one hand as the warm spring breeze played with his hair and the radio belted out a country hit.
This felt good. Right. For the first time since agreeing to the trade, living in California didn’t seem like a punishment. Hopefully he could quickly find a house and get even more settled in his new life. Next week was his first practice with the team, and he was actually looking forward to it.
An automated voice interrupted the song on the radio. “Call from Landon McMillan.” Ryder Communications had rolled out Talia On the Move a few months ago, and Wyatt had immediately wondered how he ever lived without it.
“Answer,” Wyatt said. There was a pause, then a click as the call was picked up. “Hey, Landon. I’m stuck in traffic, but I’m on my way.”
“I’m not,” Landon said, and Wyatt heard the weariness in his voice. “I’m really sorry about this, Wyatt, but I’m at the hospital with my wife.”
Wyatt’s hand tightened on the steering wheel. He didn’t know Landon well—had hired him based on a recommendation from an old college teammate—but that couldn’t be good. “I’m sorry to hear that. I hope it’s nothing serious.”
“Me too. She’s pregnant and has had a lot of complication.”
Wyatt looked at the long line of traffic in front of him and stifled a sigh. The freeway exit was only a mile away, but it’d take him at least ten minutes to inch that far. “That’s not good. Don’t worry about me—we can reschedule for another time.”
“My partner can actually show you the homes today. I didn’t tell her your name, but she’s very competent and more than willing to sign a nondisclosure. I know how much you value your privacy.”
Another real estate agent? Wyatt gnawed on his lip and silently debated whether to take a chance on this unexpected variable. His old teammate had promised that Landon knew how to be both professional and discrete. This new agent was an unknown Wyatt wasn’t sure he wanted to deal with.
He could decline the new agent’s help and ask Landon to reschedule today’s showings for when he was available. Some of the properties might go under contract in the meantime, but more would come on the market. However, a pregnancy sounded like a long-term issue that might mean months before Landon could be of any real help. And no way Wyatt was living in a hotel for that long. He’d only been at the newer economy hotel for three days, but it was getting old fast.
Bobby would be more than happy to recommend a new real estate agent. But even that would take a few days, and Wyatt really wanted to see today’s properties. H
“I wouldn’t hand you over to my partner if I didn’t trust her,” Landon said, as though sensing Wyatt’s hesitation. “She’ll take good care of you.”
Wyatt nodded, his decision made. “Okay. Thank you.”
“No, thank you.” Landon’s voice filled with relief. “Again, I am so sorry about this.”
“It couldn’t be helped.”
“We’ll talk again in a few days.”
They said their goodbyes and Wyatt hung up. He trusted Landon’s judgment, but still wanted a nondisclosure signed by the new agent before he arrived. “Talia, pull up the nondisclosure document emailed to Landon McMillan.”
“Of course, Wyatt.” The car was silent for a moment, then Talia said, “I have located the document. How should I proceed?”
“Attach it to an email. Recipient should be Parker-Lane Realty and the subject line should be nondisclosure agreement.” Wyatt tapped the steering wheel, realizing he didn’t know the name of Landon’s partner.
“What would you like the body of the email to say?” Talia asked.
Hmmm. Maybe he should call Landon back and ask for his partner’s name and email. It would be safer than sending the email to the agency’s main address. But Landon was busy taking care of his wife and unborn child, and Wyatt didn’t want to bother him. “The email should say, To Whom It May Concern, Landon McMillan has asked his partner to take over for him today. Please print off this nondisclosure and have her sign it before my arrival in twenty minutes.”
“Okay, Wyatt.” There was a moment of silence, and then Talia said, “The email is ready to be sent.”
“Send it,” Wyatt said.
Despite being after six o’clock, the lot at Park-Lane Realty was still half-full of everything from gleaming BMWs to rusted Toyotas. Good. His truck would blend in just fine. Wyatt grabbed a worn baseball cap off the passenger seat and tugged it on, making sure the brim was pulled low over his face. Then he jumped out of the truck and hurried across the parking lot, keeping his head down. Over the last few days, he’d ignored the publicity about his trade as much as possible, but knew from Bobby that the announcement had created quite a buzz.
A blast of cool air filtered over Wyatt as he entered the office. A middle-aged woman with graying hair and sagging arms sat behind a reception desk. A name placard sat on top, and next to her computer monitor he caught a glimpse of a gold picture frame holding a photo of three teenage children. She looked up from the screen, a customer smile plastered across thin lips.
He knew she’d recognized him when her mouth fell open. So much for the baseball cap.
“Mr. James.” She rose quickly and caught her leg on the chair, stumbling. One hand reached out to steady herself on the edge of the desk and her cheeks pinked. “It’s such a pleasure to meet you.”
Wyatt gave what he hoped was a kind smile and extended his hand. “The pleasure is all mine, Samantha.”
She blushed again and handed him a paper. “I received your email and had Tamera sign the nondisclosure as soon as she walked in. I’ll let her know you’re here.”
“I appreciate that.” Wyatt glanced down at the loopy signature, listening with half an ear as Samantha called Tamera’s office.
So this agent’s name was Tamera. He squinted, trying to make out the last name on the signature line. Was that an H? Yes, Hadley. Tamera Hadley.
Wait. He read the name again—definitely Tamera Hadley.
The name blinked in his brain louder than a tied score on a JumboTron. Could his new real estate agent really be the adorable brunette from the gym, with the sad eyes and hair clips falling everywhere? After binge watching her entire season of Eye in the Sky—and, okay, reading way too many online articles in celebrity gossip magazines—there was no doubt the name at least was the same.
An insane idea flickered through his mind. Was this a ploy by Drew to dig the knife in Wyatt’s back just a little deeper? Maybe he’d sent Tamera to that hotel. Somehow maneuvered her into position as his real estate agent. All so … what? She could tell the paparazzi where Wyatt lived?
No way. This whole thing was just a coincidence. A crazy, insane, unexpectedly exciting coincidence.
The click of heels had his blood pumping through his veins like he’d just run a marathon. No doubt about it—this Tamera Hadley was one in the same. She’d gotten her hair cut since the show finale and now her sleek cappuccino-colored locks just brushed her collar bone. He hadn’t noticed its length at the gym since it had been pinned up. Makeup brought attention to her wide and inviting eyes and he fought the urge to run his knuckles along those high cheekbones. A fitted blouse hugged her curves. Dark denim jeans and high heels elongated her legs until he had a hard time looking away.
The camera hadn’t done her justice. She’d been beautiful on Eye in the Sky. Vulnerable at the gym. But here, in the lobby of Parker-Lane Realty, she was stunning.
Her steps faltered when she recognized him, and then a smile lit up her eyes—and made his knees a little weak. “No way. You’re Landon’s client?”
He lifted a shoulder in a careless shrug. “Guilty as charged.”
She laughed, taking a thin folder from Samantha. “What are the odds?”
“It’s quite the coincidence.”
Tamera took a step forward and there was something in her expression that made his blood run hot. “I don’t believe in coincidences.”
Wyatt cleared his throat and took a step back. If the show was to be believed, she was very good friends—maybe even more than friends—with Drew. In a lot of ways, she was everything Wyatt had run away from in San Antonio. He needed to remember that.
“Landon said you preferred me to drive,” Tamera said.
“If you don’t mind. I’m still not used to the traffic.”
Tamera laughed and every hair on Wyatt’s body stood at attention. She’d done that on the show—drawn people to her, like moths to a flame, only to snuff out their Eye in the Sky life when given the chance. There was a word for women like Tamera. Siren.
He wasn’t about to let himself be one of her victims.
Tamera tapped the folder on the desk. “Thanks for printing off the property sheets for me, Sam.”
“No problem,” Samantha said cheerfully. “It was so nice to meet you, Mr. James.”
“You too,” Wyatt said.
He followed Tamera to the parking lot, desperately trying not to stare at the view. He fumbled with the nondisclosure agreement, finally managing to fold it into quarters and shove it in his back pocket.
Tamera pressed the unlock button on her keyless remote, and a red Mazda convertible flashed its lights a few rows away. Great. He’d barely fit in that thing, with his long legs and bulky frame.
“Here we are.” Tamera frowned at Wyatt. “Sorry, it’s kind of small. Are you going to be okay?”
They could take his truck, but he really didn’t want to battle traffic. “I’ll be fine.” He immediately banged a knee on the dashboard, contradicting his claims.
Tamera laughed and pushed a button, causing the top to fold back. “That’ll give us a little more room.”
“Thanks.”
“Gotta keep my clients happy.” She winked and slid on her sunglasses.
Wyatt swallowed hard. The curve of her neck was way too appealing from this angle.
“The first property is about thirty minutes away, but then all three homes are really close together.”
“Sounds great.” Wyatt subtly adjusted, trying to straighten out his legs. A cramp was already forming in one.
“Why don’t you tell me what you’re looking for in a property?”
He swallowed, forcing himself not to stare as the breeze tousled her hair. “The most important things to me are security and privacy, so a gated community is a must. It needs to have at least four bedrooms and three bathrooms.” That way he could have a home office for screenwriting and still have room for when family visited. He and Natalie had grown especially close over the last few years, and she’d promised to visit as often as school allowed. That was one benefit of moving to Los Angeles—Phoenix was now just a short plane ride away. “I also need space for a home gym. And it needs an amazing media room, or space that I convert into one.” Geez, when he said it out loud, it didn’t sound as frugal as he’d imagined being.
“That’s a pretty reasonable wish list. I thought all you celebrities wanted drinking fountains that spit out champagne or whatever.”
Wyatt laughed, feeling himself relax. Tamera crawled down the freeway, one hand rested casually on the steering wheel. The sunlight had turned her skin a glowing bronze. “Champagne fountain. That’s one I haven’t heard.”
“Really? It’s in Drew’s house.”
Wyatt barely held back a snort. Drew would have something that ridiculous in his house. What did Tamera see in the guy? He was vain and shallow, and he’d done little to help her on Eye in the Sky other than providing a vote. “Not really my thing.”
“What is your thing?”
Definitely not beautiful women who spelled trouble. “I’m kind of a movie buff.”
“That’s so cool.” Tamera slammed on her breaks, then darted in between two cars. Wyatt clutched the door handle. He would never get used to California drivers. “Me too.”
Wyatt had heard that before. Women always seemed to miraculously like exactly what he did. Becky had been a chameleon, changing her likes and opinions to blend in with his. He hadn’t noticed it until the initial pain of the breakup was past. “What kind of stuff are you into?”
“Anything and everything.”
Big surprise.
“I want to be an actress. I know it’s totally cliché, but I’ve dreamed about red carpets and Hollywood premiers for as long as I can remember.”
Wyatt straightened in his seat. “Really?”
Her cheeks pinked. “Yeah. I actually had an audition today. Just a minor part, but it’d be a great stepping stone.”
“Huh. That’s actually pretty cool.”
“It’s something that I love.” She ran a hand through her windblown hair, and Wyatt swallowed hard. “I kind of go through phases on movies and TV shows. I’m really into police procedurals right now, but before I went on Eye in the Sky I was on an old Hollywood kick. What kinds of movies do you like?”
Her answer felt honest and that surprised Wyatt. “I’m kind of the same as you—it depends on the day. I’ve been studying action films a lot lately.”
“What do you mean, studying?”
Wyatt pulled his baseball cap low over his eyes, suddenly feeling embarrassed. “Uh, I write scripts.”
“What?” Tamera jerked the wheel and Wyatt put out a hand so he wouldn’t hit the dashboard. “That’s amazing. I never would’ve guessed.”
Wyatt shrugged self-consciously. He’d never told anyone but Natalie about his scripts. Why had he suddenly blurted it out to Tamera? “They’re probably not any good, but I have fun writing them.”
“They’re not any good.” She waved a hand through the air. “Whatever. You’re Wyatt freakin’ James. People will throw their money at the box office to see something you wrote.”
“It’s not like I’ll ever sell anything.”
“Never say never.” Tamera cut across three lanes of traffic and barely made the exit. This woman’s driving should be registered as a lethal weapon. “Wow. I guess we have more in common than I realized.”
“Yeah, I guess so,” Wyatt said. And for some reason, that terrified him.