“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
Trina
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.