I hadn’t considered any area outside of St. Petersburg, but I knew some other sports celebrities lived out on Davis Islands. Couldn’t hurt to look. “Sure.”
We got in Tyler’s car to head to this other property, which was a bit of a drive. Before we got too far, he bumped my thigh with the back of his hand. “So, uh, after this, you want to go get something to eat? Or maybe go out tonight? I know some great clubs.”
Was he hitting on me? Did he want to date? “I don’t think so.” I tried to soften my words; didn’t want to hurt his feelings.
“Oh. Sorry. I mean, you’re just a lot nicer and better looking than I thought you’d be.”
Well, that put a smile on my face. “Did you look me up online?”
“Sort of…” He licked his lips. “The videos donotdo you justice.”
“Thank you. And please do not be offended. I think you’re just not my type. Maybe?” But what was my type? I didn’t know, but I was expectingsomething. A zing? Hell, I wanted a zing!
“I get it. No hard feelings. But you down to just fuck around? I mean…no emotions, not dating, just—”
“No. Sorry, I’m not into hookups. Besides, we’re doing business together, and I don’t want to mix that up.”
“That’s okay. I get it.” He held his hand up, palm out, as if to say stop. “But I do know a really great club in Tampa. It’s called Afterglow. You should come out and meet some new people sometime. I’ll give you a free pass card.”
“Free pass?”
“It’s a members-only club. Very selective.”
“Hmm…well, thanks.” Not sure I would use that free pass, but it was nice to know that I could have something to do if I wanted.
Then we went over Gandy Bridge. The water sparkled in the afternoon sunlight. I simply loved this area, even though I hadn’t had a ton of time to explore, but that was one of the things I was looking forward to. And seeing the water spread out to the horizon was glorious. A prehistoric-looking pelican flew low, close to the railing, before diving under the bridge. Incredible.
I pulled out my phone and turned to the side to snap some pics to send to Grant. And then… “What was that? Oh my. I think I saw a dolphin.”
“Probably. They’re out there, and this is a perfect time to see them.”
“There it is again.” It popped up and disappeared so quickly. Then two more—up and back under. I tried snapping pictures, but they were too quick. But how fantastic was that? I had to share the best of the pics I managed to get and the story with Grant.
I chuckled at his stupid emoji and focused on the drive. We got onto the expressway and then exited at Hyde Park. Some of the buildings seemed historic, with those same Spanish tile roofs and wrought-iron balconies, while others looked like old-time Southern houses with hip roofs and big front porches. Giant oaks with Spanish moss dripping from them lined the streets, side by side with palm trees.
Then we crossed Bay Shore, taking another bridge out to Davis Island. There was a big hospital when you first got onto the island. Then we passed businesses before moving into a residential area. These were multi-million-dollar homes, no doubt. They were decorating the street in a variety of construction styles. We drove through the center of the island all the way down to the water.
“See that?” Tyler pointed out a vacant lot for sale, and I saw the water glistening dark blue behind it. “If we don’t find a house, you can always buy a lot and build.”
“Is that more expensive?”
“Depends on what you build. But that lot looked a little small. You’d have to build up to get something sizeable on it.”
“Hmm…” It wasn’t ideal, but something to think about. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Now this one…” He pulled the car into a driveway of pavers, rather than cement or asphalt. The house was a soft vanilla that reminded me of a cookie my nanny used to give my cousins and me when we were kids. “This is a new construction. No one else has ever lived here. It’s five beds and six baths, almost four thousand square feet.”
I liked the idea of it being new. And it was nice. Kind of square with a huge set of stairs leading to a porch that stretched from the door in the center to one edge of the house, and it had a two-car garage on the other. Nice curb appeal that had me intrigued. “Let’s go inside.” And I wasn’t disappointed.
Tyler spread one arm out dramatically. “Everything was done in all neutrals, so it’s perfect for a designer to come help you put your personality into it. And being less expensive, you have the extra money to make it exactly what you want.”
“Less? How much less?”
“Believe it or not, this beauty is listed at two point five nine.”
“That is lower. Considerably.”
“Well. Yes, but it’s new on the market, and I’d bet my ass that there will be a bidding war. I think if you want it, you should be prepared to go in above asking. Maybe a good opening bid would be two point eight-five.”
