As I place my phone on the table, my gaze wanders to my bare hand.
I hid the rings in the compartment inside of my purse just before I walked in here.
My hand looks empty, and in some abstract way, I feel that way, too, knowing that I’m not wearing the rings Graham slid onto my finger.
“I’m sorry you’ve been waiting so long,” Aurora says quietly. “It feels like half of Manhattan showed up here today for coffee.”
I pick up my almost empty cup. “How can you blame them? You make the best in the city.”
“It tasted fine to you?”
I laugh that off. “Fine? I wasn’t joking, Aurora. It’s fantastic coffee.”
She tugs on the end of her ponytail. “I had a sip when I first got here, but that was all I could manage. It sent my stomach into a frenzy.”
I lean forward to rest my elbow on the table. “How are you feeling now?”
“Better,” she admits. “I am tired, though. That has nothing to do with the coffee and everything to do with my boyfriend.”
I wiggle both brows. “Do I want details about that?”
“They would make you blush.” She pats one of her cheeks. “I can’t keep my hands off of Eldon lately.”
“Lately?” I ask in a teasing tone. “I thought that was an ongoing thing.”
“Fine.” Both of her hands pop up in mock surrender. “I admit I can’t get enough of him. That’s a good thing, right?”
“It’s the best thing,” I say.
It’s true.
I can barely keep my hands off of my husband. This morning was proof of that.
“Eldon told me that he has a major surprise planned for my birthday.” She narrows her eyes. “Would you happen to know what that is?”
I laugh. “Is that why you asked me to meet you here? You want me to tell you what your birthday gift is?”
A broad smile coasts over her lips. “Yep.”
I mime locking my lips shut and tossing the key over my shoulder.
“I’m going to take that as confirmation that you know what it is.” Her voice drops slightly. “Give me a hint, Trina. All I need is a tiny hint about what he got me.”
Shaking my head, I sip the last bit of coffee from my cup.
“Did you promise you’d keep it a secret?” she asks.
I nod.
“Are you good at keeping secrets?” The corners of her lips edge up toward a grin.
“I am.”
It’s an understatement.
I’ve kept the fact that I’m married a secret. Now, I’m also holding tight to the knowledge that I’ve fallen in love with my husband.
“Could I persuade you to spill the beans with another cup of coffee?” She giggles. “This one would be on the house. I’ll make it a large. I’ll even throw in a bagel with extra cream cheese.”
I reach over to squeeze her hand in mine. “I have to get to work. You’re going to need to wait until your birthday to see what Eldon got you.”
Her nose scrunches. “I’m horrible at being patient. In a perfect world, he’d surprise me early.”
I push back to stand. “This imperfect world that we all live in has perfect moments. Your birthday is going to be one of them. I promise it will be worth the wait.”
She studies my face. “I want you to have some perfect moments too. One day you’ll find a man you love as much as I love Eldon. I know you will.”
I have.
I found him, married him, and tonight could be the night he tells me he loves me too.
Chapter Forty-Six
Graham
I set the box containing the custom-made watch on the table in front of the man I’m having lunch with.
Then, I take a seat across from him.
“This is it?” Crew Benton asks. “When you called to take me to lunch, I admit I was worried that you were trying to wine and dine me because you couldn’t get the job done.”
I push the box forward with my index finger. “Take a look.”
He has the box open before I can take another breath.
“Fuck me, “ he exclaims even though we’re seated at a table in the middle of Nova with dozens of people within earshot. “This is a goddamn beautiful sight.”
I huff out a laugh. “Is it everything you imagined it would be?”
That sends his gaze up to my face. “It’s fucking amazing, Locke.”
I can’t mask my smile.
Hell, I’m grinning from ear-to-ear, and that’s not just because he’s happy with the one-of-a-kind watch.
I’m on cloud nine because I’m hours away from handing my heart over to the most incredible woman in this world.
“I’m glad you like it,” I say as I glance around the restaurant for a server.
I’m saving the scotch for a meeting I have later this afternoon with one of the district managers at Abdons. I could go for a tall glass of water, though, and something to eat.
I traded breakfast for a blowjob.
I’d do it every day of the week, but it’s left me hungry.
“Don’t tell Harrison, but I like this one better than his.” Crew chuckles.
He doesn’t know the story of the watch on Harry’s wrist. He barely knows Harry at all.
They met at a fundraiser early this year.
I was there too, because Harrison underwrote the entire thing. The cause was close to his heart, so he needed us all in his corner. Sean showed up in a tux, but as usual, Kavan bowed out.
It didn’t matter.
We had a great time, and Crew Benton and his wife, Adley, made a contribution that rivaled the total of Sean and my combined donation that evening.
Crew is the COO of Matiz Cosmetics. He works alongside his closest friend Nolan Black.
The watch that Crew can’t take his eyes off of is for Nolan. He told me it’s a gift to thank him for being a constant presence in his life.
I gave Harrison Abdons first custom-designed watch last year.
He’s worn it proudly every day since never hesitating to tell anyone who asks where he got it.
That has slowly opened a new door for Abdons.
The watch Crew ordered is the fifth we’ve done.
His gaze drifts from my face to my hand. “Wait a fucking minute, Locke. Are you married?”
I nod. “I am.”
“That’s a recent thing, isn’t it?” He lifts his chin. “The last time we met up, you weren’t wearing that ring.”
“I didn’t think you’d notice,” I quip.
“Your watch is on your left wrist.” He points out. “I was checking that out. I would have noticed the ring.”
“It’s fairly recent,” I affirm with a nod.
“It’s great, isn’t it?” He shoves his left hand through his black hair. “Adley is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. My kids are a close second.”
I drop my gaze to my ring. “Trina is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. “
“This calls for a wedding gift.” He smiles. “What do you and Trina need? Or want?”
“We’ve got everything we could ever want,” I say. “All that’s left is for me to plan a honeymoon she won’t soon forget.”
“You haven’t done the honeymoon thing yet?”
I shake my head. “It’s a timing issue. When things settle down, I’ll rent a house on the beach for a few days. She has fond memories of a place like that when she was a kid. I want to give her a new memory to add to that.”
I want that for us. I want to marry my wife again and steal her away from this city to a secluded spot on a beach.
“Will a house in Westhampton Beach fit the bill? The views are stellar and there’s a private boardwalk with access to the beach.”
I lean forward. “You know a place?”
He laughs. “I own a place. Consider it yours whenever you need it, Graham. I promise if you take her there, it’ll be a honeymoon she’ll never forget.”
Chapter Forty-Seven
T
rina
Leaving work early without permission is enough to send my boss’s temper into overdrive, but I think today he’ll make an exception.
I know he will.
I texted him twenty minutes ago to tell him that I had finished up everything I needed to get accomplished today. Then I told him that I plan to stop by my apartment to water my plant before I head to the penthouse to get ready for our dinner date.
His response made my heart sing.
Graham didn’t text me back. He stepped out of the meeting he was in to call me.
He told me to bring the plant to the penthouse.
His exact words were, “Bring it home, dear.”
I laughed even as tears of joy welled in the corners of my eyes.
It may just be a plant, but it’s a symbol of the life that I had before I married Graham.
That life is about to change forever tonight.
I know that Graham didn’t arrange this special dinner in a private dining room to drop some horrible news in my lap. He’s going to confess what he’s feeling, and I’m more than ready to hear it.
I want to do the same and tell him that I’ve fallen in love.
Taking quick steps on the sidewalk, I make my way to the lobby of my apartment building.
It pales in comparison to the building that I’ve called home for the past few weeks, but I’ve been comfortable here.
I made friends here that I know will last a lifetime.
Thinking of Aurora and Eldon reminds me to reach out to Asher.
I take a seat on a bench in the lobby and shoot my brother-in-law a quick text message.
Trina: Hey! How are you?
His response is quicker than I anticipated.
Asher: Trina! I’m great. How about you?
My answer is honest and to the point.
Trina: I’ve never been better. I have a favor to ask.
My phone rings almost instantly.
I laugh because this is typical Asher Foster. If someone close to him requests anything, he’ll make it a reality.
I answer immediately. “Hey, Asher.”
“Trina,” he says my name with what I know is a smile on his face. “What do you need?”
I sigh. “Your autograph.”
That pulls a deep chuckle from him. “You want my autograph? Help me make sense of that.”
I grin. “It’s for a friend’s birthday. Well, it’s going to be the day she gets engaged too.”
“This sounds special.”
“It is.” I nod, even though he can’t see me. “Her boyfriend is going to propose on her birthday. He asked if I could get you to sign a card as an extra special treat.”
“When’s her birthday?”
“It’s soon. On the twelfth,” I respond quickly.
He’s silent for a beat. “I can do one better. How about a private show? Maybe I can sing a song or two? I’ll bring a guitar.”
That sends me to my feet in excitement. “You’re joking.”
“I’m not.” He laughs again. “What’s your friend’s name?”
“Aurora,” I say with a huge smile on my face. “Her boyfriend is Eldon.”
“I’m in.” I hear the warmth in his tone. “You tell me where to be, what time to be there, and I’ll do my best to give them a memory they’ll never forget.”
“You’re the best,” I say quietly. “You’re the absolute best, Asher.”
“Anything for my family, Trina. Falon is here. She sends her love. I’m sending mine too.”
“I love you both.” I gaze down at the floor. “I can’t thank you enough.”
“Falon wants to cook for you soon.” He whispers something that I can’t hear. “She says to bring a date when she does, or she’s going to set you up.”
I throw caution to the wind. “I’ll bring a date. I’ll bring someone special with me.”
“I can’t wait to meet him. Talk soon, Trina.”
“Talk soon,” I repeat before I end the call.
I stand in my apartment and take it all in.
It may not be a large space, but it’s been home to me.
All of the framed photographs on the wall have made me feel as though I belong here.
I may not be taking those with me today, but I’ll come back for them and everything else once Graham and I share what we’re feeling.
A knock on the door turns me around.
It has to be Aurora. Since I haven’t told my family about my marriage yet, I tug the rings off my finger and hide them behind the plant again. Aurora and Eldon both stop into the bakery sometimes, so I need to be careful at least until I can sit down with my parents and explain that I married my boss and then fell in love with him.
“I’m coming,” I call out to her.
I make quick steps of the distance between where I’m standing and my apartment door.
I swing it open with a flourish, but instead of finding Aurora on the other side, I find my mom.
“Mom?”
“Trina,” she whispers my name as her bottom lip quivers. “Sweetheart. I don’t know what to say…I don’t understand.”
I step aside. “Mom, come in. Please.”
Tugging on the bottom hem of the yellow blouse she’s wearing, she steps over the threshold and into my apartment.
It was unusual to see my mom in anything but a plain white dress when I was growing up. It’s what she wore when she worked in the bakery. She divided her time between the kitchen and the front counter.
Now that she’s mostly retired, she wears vibrant colors. Today she’s paired the blouse with a pair of white pants.
“Can I get you something?” I fumble my way through the question with a tremor in my voice. “Is everything okay?”
“I don’t need anything.” Her hand reaches out to find mine. “I went to your office, but they told me you left for the day.”
“I left early,” I admit. “What’s wrong, Mom? Why didn’t you call if you needed me? I would have come to Brooklyn.”
“I know.” She squeezes my hand. “I wanted to talk in person.”
I nod. “Talk about what?”
“A man came into the bakery today to get a chocolate cake. He said he had a piece the other night and loved it. He wanted an entire cake to take home with him.
My stomach knots as I ask the next question. “What man?”
“His name is Lloyd.” Her blue eyes lock on mine. “Lloyd Abdon. He told me he owns the company you work for. He insisted that you and that man you work for are husband and wife. He said you married Mr. Locke.”
The tears in her eyes cut through me. I see her confusion, her disappointment, and mostly I’m bearing witness to her pain.
“Is it true?” she asks in a whisper. “Did you marry your boss and not tell us?”
I choke back a sob. “It’s true. I married him, Mom. I married my boss.”
Chapter Forty-Eight
Trina
I place a mug of Earl Grey tea in front of my mom. I added a sprinkle of sugar just the way she likes.
She glances at me as I take a seat across from her at my small dining table.
My mom hasn’t said a word since I admitted that I married Graham.
I know that she won’t. She’s waiting for me to explain all of this to her. I’ve spent the last five minutes gathering my thoughts while I prepared her tea.
“Lloyd is sick,” I say.
She pushes a strand of her graying hair behind her ear. “He’s sick?”
I nod. “He doesn’t have a lot of time left.”
Tears well in her eyes again. My mom’s heart is the softest I’ve ever known. She rarely proclaimed her love with words when I was a child, but I’d always feel it around me.
She’d help us with our homework. She never missed a parent-teacher conference or a school concert or play. Whenever one of us had a sporting event, she was front and center cheering us on. If we were sick, she nursed us back to health with homemade soup and hours spent giving up b
ack rubs or putting cold compresses on our heads. She put her family first. Always.
“It’s his heart,” I go on, “Graham told me that Mr. Abdon wanted to see us married, so we decided to do it. We wanted to fulfill his dying wish. It was supposed to only be for a short time.”
“Graham is your…” Her voice trails.
“My boss.” I take a breath. “Graham is my husband.”
Her gaze drops to my hand. “Lloyd told me he gave you his wife’s ring.”
I look at my bare hand. “He did.”
“Can I see?”
Hesitantly, I get up from my chair and walk over to the potted plant. I grab the rings before I settle back down across from my mom.
“Why aren’t you wearing them?”
The question isn’t accusatory. I know she’s confused. I don’t think my mom has ever removed the plain silver band that my dad put on her finger on their wedding day.
It’s a treasure to her. It’s a symbol of the commitment she made to the man she’s always loved.
“I wanted to tell you,” I confess. “And dad. I wanted to tell everyone before I wore them all the time.”
“You wanted to tell us you married a man you don’t love?”
I slide both rings back on my finger before I look her in the eyes. “I love him, Mom.”
That sends tears down her cheeks again. “You said you married him to fulfill Mr. Abdon’s wish.”
“We did, but things are different now.” I hold back a sob. “We’ve spent a lot of time together. My heart knows he’s the one, Mom. I love him.”
“Does he love you?” I hear the plea in her voice.
I know that she only wants what is best for me. She wants me to be happy.
“I think he does,” I say quietly. “We’re supposed to talk about things tonight, but I feel it. I feel his love when he looks at me. I see it in his eyes. I hear it in his voice.”
“He loves you.” She smiles softly. “A woman knows when a man has given his heart to her.”
BULL (The Buck Boys Heroes Book 1) Page 17
