“You settling in okay?” he asked.
“As settled in as I can be still living with my suitcase open.” I sighed. “Raschad and Simone say I can stay here as long as I need to, but I’m hoping to find a place in the next couple of weeks. Rent for a while, before finding something permanent. They want us here, but they're newlyweds with two kids. They need to find their rhythm without us around.”
He nodded. “Looking for a place near the school?”
“Somewhere safe. Quiet. A lot of natural light. But I’m not picky.”
“Somehow I doubt that’s true,” he said, completely straight-faced.
I laughed. “Okay, I'm…particular. About certain things.”
“Safety. Peace. Lighting.”
“And a decent bathtub,” I added. “A girl needs to be able to soak.”
“Noted,” he said, like he was internally filing.
We were quiet a moment. The cicadas turned up, and inside, someone yelled like a felony had been committed at the card table.
“Coach Julian!” Micah barreled through the door, socks half off, hairline sweaty. He stopped at the top of the steps, glancing between us like he'd interrupted state secrets. “They cheating!”
“Who is 'they'?” Julian asked.
“Zhaire and Mister Tre,” Micah said gravely. “They the worst cheaters. Smiling ones.”
Julian's mouth did that almost-smile again. “Let's go fix that.”
Micah's eyes flicked to me. “Hi Mommy!”He nodded hard at me then ran back inside. Julian didn't move.
“He calls you Coach Julian,” I said, amused.
“For now,” he replied simply.
He started to head inside then stopped to look at me. “So you're looking for a place. I will send you some options to consider.”
“CEO, Coach, and a realtor too?” I teased.
“Not a realtor. Real estate investor.” He sounded unfazed. “I know people. It's easy.”
“I appreciate that, Julian, but I know you're a busy man. Don't worry about it. I'm sure I'll be able to find something.”
“I'm sending them,” he said in a flat, firm tone. Like he was telling me he’d made a decision and that was that.
Who does he think he is? The boss of me?I had some choice words ready. But he was just standing there looking at me.Studyingme. It threw me off so much that the words I had been about to deliver were not in my mouth.
“Okay,” I heard myself say. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Taryn's voice floated out: “Alyssa! You sitting out on the next round or what?”
“I'm coming!” I said, standing up, which put me directly in front of him.
“Send me your must-haves. Leave nothing out.” He stepped to the side, clearing my path to the sliders.
“You already got them.” I smiled, stepping past him to go inside. “Locks. Lighting. Bathtub.”
Behind me I heardthe smallest sound that might've been a laugh.
