by Diane Darcy
She couldn’t wait to be finished with the class, mostly so she could go home and talk to Christian. She had no idea what would happen between her and Trevor afterward, but was still excited by the possibilities.
She finally arrived, but couldn’t find a parking spot. She stopped to look at a very familiar looking truck, before continuing on to the back of the building. She was pretty darn sure it was Trevor’s.
She parked and sat drumming her fingers on the steering wheel, not sure whether to be angry at him for being there, or angry at herself because of the excitement coursing through her veins.
She wasn’t quite ready for him to be in her life yet. They’d discussed it and it would serve him right if she ditched him and went in the back entrance. But, of course, she didn’t.
And why not? She asked herself as she rounded the building. Because she was an idiot and wanted to see him, too. If only for a moment.
Honey headed toward the front entrance and could see him through the glass doors, nonchalantly studying the rack of brochures touting fun things to do in Redding.
Anyone coming inside would have to pass him.
When the doors opened he immediately glanced up. “Oh, hi.” He feigned innocent surprise.
She didn’t want to laugh, but couldn’t help it. He wasn’t a very good actor, he shouldn’t be making it this hard on her, and she shouldn’t be enjoying it so much. “Trevor, what are you doing here?”
“Ah, um, well...” he scratched an ear. “You see...” he lifted up a brochure.
Honey decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. “Are you here to talk about the land deal? Did your dad sign the paperwork?”
“No, that’s not exactly it.” He gestured toward the restaurant. “Everyone knows this is the best place to eat in town. Are you hungry?”
“I’ve already had dinner.”
“Oh. So have I. I was just being polite.”
Honey laughed again in spite of herself, and Trevor smiled, his dimples popping out in his cheeks. She groaned. She needed to get away from him. He was too dangerous to her heart and it wasn’t honorable to see him until she resolved her relationship with Christian.
Besides that, she was way too happy to see him. She couldn’t deny it. And also flattered that he couldn’t seem to wait, either.
People in the foyer were staring at the two of them, a couple of guests and the two receptionists behind the desk.
Honey led the way around the huge fireplace to the other side. “Let’s sit down.”
She sank down on the sofa and Trevor sat on the cushion next to her. She gestured toward the fireplace. “Well, at least there isn’t a fire going.”
“What do you mean?”
“The lack of romantic atmosphere is a good idea for us right now, don’t you think? It’s the last thing we need.”
The receptionist behind the desk surged forward. “Let me assist you.” With the flick of a switch she had the fire going for them and turned to smile. “Just let me know if there’s anything else I can do for you. And just so you know, we have cookies at the front desk.”
“Ah, thank you,” said Honey. She smiled at Trevor but managed not to laugh even when he chuckled. She shouldn’t be this happy to see him. The way he was looking at her, his eyes flickering over her features like he was trying to memorize them, especially her lips, was flustering.
She stood. “This isn’t going to work, after all. Come on.” Grabbing her things, she led Trevor outside for a walk around the gated pool. “Anyway, I don’t feel like sitting any more today.”
He walked beside her on the tiled flooring and she glanced around to take in the palm trees, the great view of the city, and Shasta mountain in the distance. Really lovely. Really romantic.
“I’ve missed you the last few days.”
Ah, darnit, did he have to say things like that? Honey focused on two couples, clad in swimsuits, as they swiped a key to get into the pool area so they could hurry inside and sink into the hot tub.
“Too bad I didn’t bring my swimsuit,” Trevor said with a leer. “But don’t let that stop you. I could just sit in a lawn chair and watch if you want to get in.”
Honey laughed and punched Trevor in the shoulder. She tried to ignore the way she went a little weak in the knees at the thought of him half-naked. Of him seeing her half-naked.
They needed a safer subject. “Class is almost over. Just tomorrow and then the test on Friday.”
“Nervous?”
“Very.”
“You’ll do great.”
Honey laughed. “I wish I were half so confident.” The lights around the pool area, woven around the wrought iron fence, turned on as they did every night. They hadn’t seemed particularly romantic before. Exasperated, Honey stopped. “Have you noticed that it doesn’t seem to matter where we go, it seems romantic, anyway? It must be you,” she accused.
Trevor grinned. “I think it’s you. It’s the way you make me feel.” Trevor held out his hand and she couldn’t find the will to resist him and offered her own. He linked their fingers together and her heart started pounding, as much from his touch as the way he continued to look at her.
“Do you want to know why it doesn’t matter where we are?”
“Why is that?” she whispered.
“Because I’m in love with you.”
***
Okay, she probably could have handled that better. Honey was breathing hard as she reached her room, slipped inside, shut the door behind her, and leaned back against the metal.
She closed her eyes. She couldn’t believe she’d just run away like that.
But...He was in love with her?
How was that even possible? It was too fast. The way they felt for each other was happening just way too fast.
He was in love with her?
She pushed off the door and flung her things on the bed. And how did she feel, anyway? She liked him. A lot. She was attracted to him. Understatement. She liked how mellow he was, how hard to ruffle. How feminine, alive and safe he made her feel when she was with him. How she felt she could trust him with anything. Her secrets, her dreams, her fears, even her life. She liked...everything about him. Every single thing, right down to the dimples in his cheeks. She loved the big goof.
Sudden exhilaration had her smiling like an idiot. She was an idiot. She ran to the window and looked down over the pool area.
Trevor was gone.
What must he be thinking?
She dug her phone from her purse, called him, and he answered immediately.
“Trevor?”
He laughed shakily. “You scared me there for a minute.” Relief colored his tone. “Do you want me to come back?”
“Trevor, I want you to know...I feel the same way you do.”
He expelled a harsh breath.
“I know it’s too fast. I know it’s ridiculous. I’m engaged to another man. We’ve only known each other for three weeks, I...I just don’t...”
“I’m coming back,” he said.
“No!” Honey laughed, her emotions needing to somehow get out or explode. “Don’t come back. I’ll have dinner with you on Friday as planned, but nothing else happens until I go home and talk to Christian. I mean it.”
“I just want to see you for a minute. I won’t stay long.”
“Trevor, I’m glad you, you...like me so much, but I have to like myself at the end of the day. Do you understand?”
After a pause, Trevor sighed. “Okay. I’ll see you on Friday.”
His growling acceptance made her smile. “Okay. Friday.”
Honey hung up the phone and caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. The animated face, the big sappy grin. She laughed and turned away.
She was going to bed as planned, but there was no way she’d be able to sleep.
Chapter Twelve
On Friday night, Trevor’s fingers pressed into the small of Honey’s back sliding against the warm silkiness of her dress as he escorted her into the C
attlemens restaurant. He wanted to keep touching her, but finally dropped his hand and gave his name to the hostess, only to be informed they’d have a short wait.
“Nice place,” said Honey as she glanced around.
Trevor nodded and looked around the western-themed restaurant. “The foods’s good, too.” They came to a halt in front of a painting of a couple of cowboys on a roundup. “We’re here to celebrate, right?”
She glanced up, smiled and returned her gaze to the painting. “Right.”
It was noisy inside, with a large group of business men and women waiting for their table, and Trevor had to stand close to Honey to be heard, which was fine by him. He didn’t mind bending his head close to hers in the least. Feeling her body heat, smelling her perfume.
Honey’s phone rang and she glanced at the number. “It’s a co-worker. I forgot to turn it to silent. Do you mind?”
“Go ahead.”
Honey answered, then quickly seemed irritated as she explained to a woman named Michelle she was out to dinner with a friend. She rolled her eyes, named the restaurant, then hung up. “Sorry. That particular co-worker drives me insane. She always has to know every little detail.”
A few minutes later they were seated in a private booth and Trevor asked for their best bottle of wine. “Red or white?” he asked Honey.
At Honey’s surprised expression, he smiled. “To celebrate you earning your broker’s license.”
She smiled. “Thank you. Red sounds nice.”
It was much quieter in their booth, much more intimate, and Trevor considered taking her hand, but resisted. “So, are you glad to be finished?”
“You have no idea.”
“Did you pass with flying colors?”
She grinned. “Would it be bragging to say so?”
“Not after all the hard work you’ve put in.”
“Then I admit it. I did pass with flying colors.”
“Thought so,” he said, which provoked another grin from her. Trevor couldn’t stop smiling, and would have felt like an idiot, except Honey was smiling back at him. After a week of wondering if he were losing her after all, the relief was going to his head.
The friendly waitress poured their wine, and left the bottle. Trevor held his glass up high. “To you and to flying colors.”
“Thank you.” She touched her own glass to his, and they both drank.
“Mmm, good,” said Honey.
This would be the perfect time to give Honey the signed contract for the land deal, but he hesitated. When things didn’t turn out well for her boss, would it mess things up between Honey and himself? The contract stayed inside his jacket pocket.
The food was delicious, and Trevor tried his hardest not to stare at Honey through dinner. He told her about his work week and his outing with Dylan, and she talked about her classmates and the test she’d just taken. He loved being with her.
When dinner was almost over, Honey asked, “Trevor, about the contract. I really need to know if your family is going to sell that piece of property to my boss. Either way is fine. I just need to know your decision.”
He sighed. “Actually I brought the contract with me.”
“Really?” Honey’s brows rose. “That’s great. That was easy.”
Nervous, he gave a short laugh. “I’ll give it to you after dinner.” And he’d no doubt end up sweating it when the truth came out.
But did it have to? Looking into her eyes he decided then and there it just wasn’t worth it to him. No doubt Honey’s boss was a jerk and deserved a harsh lesson, but it just wasn’t worth risking his chance with Honey.
He looked down at her hand, and reached out and took it in his. She looked at him questioningly, squeezed his in return, and offered a slight smile, her brows rising again.
“Honey--”
“Does somebody want to tell me what the hell is going on here?”
Startled, Honey looked up to see Christian and Michelle approaching the table. Horrified, she wrenched her hand away from Trevor’s and looked into the angry blue eyes of her fiancé.
“Christian,” she whispered.
Honey only got a glimpse of Christian’s angry face before
he turned and walked toward the exit.
Her mouth slightly open, she turned wide eyes on Trevor, whose brows were raised in question. “I have to go. I’ll be right back. I . . .”
Feeling stunned, guilty, and remorseful, Honey scooted from the booth.
She couldn’t believe this was happening. Where had Christian come from? Why was he there? Why right at that particular moment? Why right when she was holding Trevor’s hand?
Honey looped her purse over her shoulder and hurried after Christian. She had to explain.
***
Trevor threw down his napkin, unfolded himself from the booth, and with long strides and a set jaw, quickly followed Honey. He gathered that the pretty boy was her fiancé, but she was Trevor’s now, and he had every intention of making sure it stayed that way.
He felt for the guy. He really did. But maybe this confrontation was for the best and they could simply clear up the whole thing here and now. Honey could stay for the weekend, and he’d be glad to help her get over any linger guilt she felt.
“Honey, wait, I’ll go with you.” Quickly reaching her, he put his hand on her shoulder, and Honey stopped, turned a confused fac to him, and shook her head.
“Trevor, don’t follow me. Please wait here. I owe it to Christian to do this alone.”
Trevor’s jaw clenched. He didn’t want her to be alone with the guy. She might change her mind about who it was she wanted. “I think it would be better if I were with you, standing by your side. Or better yet, the guy is leaving, he already gets that it’s over, so just stay here. You can call him later.” From Trevor’s house, if he had anything to say about it.
Blue eyes flashing, she gave him an incredulous look, and backed away. “You stay here. You have to stay here. I’ll be back later.” He opened his mouth to protest and she held up a hand. “Please, Trevor, don’t.” She shook her head. “I need to talk to Christian, right now, and alone. Nothing you say is going to change my mind.”
Trevor knew it wasn’t reasonable, but he felt pushed out, rejected, and his jaw ached from the way he was clenching it. He gave a brief nod, and she was gone.
He watched her leave, watched her get stopped by a brunette, and wondered if she’d lied about breaking up with Christian. If she liked to keep two guys on the string the way his wife had done.
Was he being played? Was it really Christian she still wanted? Realizing people were staring at him, he went back to his seat, sank down, and fished out his credit card.
***
As Honey hurried through the restaurant, Michelle stepped into the aisle, blocked the path, and her red lips curved into a self-satisfied smirk as Honey came to a stop. “So,” Michelle flipped silky, dark hair over her shoulder, her full mouth widened into a huge grin, and she nodded toward Trevor. “Is this the way you do business now? Not such a goody-two-shoes after all, are you?”
Honey didn’t have time for this. Without a word, she brushed past Michelle, saw Christian hit the front doors. She ran after him. Outside the restaurant, she looked left, then right.
She spotted Christian, sprinted on high-heels to his white Lexus, and got in the passenger seat just as he slammed the door and started the engine. Ignoring her, his mouth a tight line, he backed out and took off driving.
Honey took a breath. “Christian, it’s not what you think.”
“No?” he shot her a narrow eyed glare, his good-looking face a blank mask. “Enlighten me why don’t you?” his tone was almost polite.
Honey’s mouth opened and shut as she tried to think of the best way to explain the situation to him. Her chest started to ache and she realized she was holding her breath and forced herself to breathe again, gulping in air.
Her heart was pounding in her chest. She should have been more up front with him. A
phone message explaining the situation would have resulted in a conversation.
She should have talked to him already and resolved this as soon as she’d realized she wasn’t going to marry him. She shouldn’t have waited. “I’ve...well the thing is, I’ve been trying to get hold of you. I...I...” She waved a hand. “Christian, things haven’t been going well for us for a long time.”
He threw her a furious glance. “Oh really? Then why is that the first I’ve heard of it?”
She crossed her arms and turned her face away to stare out the windshield. “Maybe if you answered my phone calls once in a while you’d know what was going on in our relationship.” She bit out the words.
“Is that what this is about? Phone calls?” With his right index finger he pointed repeatedly to the windshield. “I thought I did know. I thought we were getting married. I thought I had a loyal, faithful girlfriend who wanted to spend the rest of her life with me.” He thumped his chest for emphasis.
Guilt ate at her, but she forced herself to say what needed to be said. She sighed. “We’re not getting married anymore.”
“Yeah.” His knuckles were white on the steering wheel and he nodded. “Yeah, I kind of got that back at the restaurant.”
She raised both hands. “Christian, I’m sorry. I really am. I made the decision to break up with you last weekend, but haven’t been able to get hold of you.”
His mouth fell open and he made a choking sound, and waved a dismissive hand in the air. “You didn’t try very hard. There were no messages on my phone this week and you didn’t return my call after I left you a message.”
“I know. I decided to wait until I got home tomorrow to talk to you, face to face.”
There was a long silence, the only sound the car as it drove down the road. Finally, Christian shot her a glare. “So who is this guy?”
“Just someone I met. I haven’t been seeing him regularly or anything. We...we...were actually having a business meeting tonight, but I realize now that I shouldn’t have been seeing him at all until you and I had talked. I’m sorry.”
