Page 36 of Matched with Her Athlete Boss

I glance around the room for a moment, trying to remember the last time I had to do that. “Not really. That’s what Dave is for. And my mom before that. But I know what it’s like trying to get started in business. My dad was a framer for residential homes and there were always people trying to get things cheaper. A good day of work is worth whatever it costs at this point.”

Silence hits as she narrows her eyes at me, as if trying to put together some invisible puzzle. And then the mask flies back up and she snaps back to reality. “Okay, I’ll get you some numbers and a contract as soon as I can.” She turns toward the door and I glance out the window at the driveway and along the curb.

“Sounds good. Do you need a ride somewhere?” My house isn’t the most accessible to the local trains and buses.

“No, I should be good. It will help me get my steps in today,” she says with a smile. I watch her walk down the few steps to my porch and again that sense I should know her hits me.

“Did you decide on the Love, Austen thing?” I ask, stepping out onto the concrete step. The wind blows against my shirt and I remember again that I’m not wearing enough material for anyone to be comfortable.

She shakes her head. “You heard me adamantly say no dating at the mud race. Right? Yep, I'm pretty sure you were there for that. That's a hard pass."

"I don't want to be on camera either," I say, giving her a small smile.

She turns away. "Don't look at me like that. I'm not getting dragged into your dating problems. And there's no way anyone is going to want to date me."

"Come on, Kenz. You're fun and a lot of guys would love the chance to go out with a gal like you."

She waves to the empty sidewalk. "Check the line of people who agree with you. I'm not putting myself through that kind of torture."

"What if I make you a deal?"

I’m not sure why I’m pushing so hard to get her to go along with the docuseries, but maybe it’s the idea that everyone should be able to find love. And if Kenzie can find it as jaded as she is, maybe there’s hope for me.

15

KENZIE

This whole situation is surreal. I’ve just walked through Trey’s home as my second official job of my business. He’s standing here on the sidewalk, barefoot and wearing a crop top of a Breeze t-shirt, asking to make me a deal to go on a dating documentary.

Why does the sound of that make me want to abandon my plan of staying single for the rest of my life and follow this Pied Piper to my death?

"What kind of deal?" I ask, trying to keep my face impassive. A poker face has never been a strong suit, but I’m working with what I’ve got for now.

"If you agree to do it, I'll owe you big. What if you came out on the ice for one of the games?" He frowns, like he isn't sure what that would do.

"You'll let me skate with your team?" My heart is pumping a million times faster than normal.

"I mean, if you like that. Do you skate?"

I scowl and say, “Of course. I might even skate circles around you now.” Closing my mouth, I hope he doesn’t catch onto that last word. “Skating on the Breeze home ice would be a dream come true. But I don't think it would be the same value as suffering through dates and being filmed."

Trey pauses a moment. "You like games, right?"

I laugh and nod. "Is Carson Carver the best center in the league? Of course!"

He looks defeated by that. "You really think he's the best? What about yours truly?"

I shake my head, not falling for that. "Trey, you are the perfect wing. I don't know why your coach keeps putting you as the center. Your abilities are better from the sides."

He seems to think about that for a moment. "I guess I'll take that as a compliment, from a knowledgeable source.”

And there it is. I've just been friend zoned. Whenever a guy has agreed with me on a sports matter, it’s usually because they have no interest in me as a potential partner.

“You should. I try to be frank with people I trust.”

“Okay, so be blunt now. How averse are you to dating on a scale of one to ten?”

“Forty-five.” I pause, squinting at the brightness of the sun as a cloud drifts past.

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