“Someone should gag that woman.” Gray turned off the television as the host launched into her next story.
Trent dropped into an overstuffed leather chair. “Agreed.” His brother waited until Gray sat before he spoke again. “What are you doing in Providence?”
“Visiting.”
“Visiting? Dad and Abby went skiing for the weekend. Or are you visiting someone else?” Trent’s tone insinuated he knew the answer.
“Someone else.” Gray figured he’d use a visit with his dad as his reason for being in town. He hadn’t known his dad and stepmother were away.
“The someone else Chloe said you came in Ambrosia with a few weeks ago?”
Gray had forgotten about seeing Addie’s cousin. “The same one.”
He’d never kept his relationships a secret, which explained why Trent was interested.
His brother smirked. “So Aimee Trainor got that part right. You are secretly dating someone.”
Gray worked on an answer while he waited for his brother’s next comment.
“Can’t think of many women we know that fit Chloe’s description and live around here.” Trent stroked his chin. “You must have just recently hooked up because, before the wedding you hadn’t visited Providence for months.”
Trent looked at him in shock. “Tell me it’s not Tasha Marshall. She fits Chloe’s description and was at the wedding.”
Gray almost said yes just to see his brother’s reaction. “Hell no. I’m not fucking insane.”
“The jury’s still out on that, bro. But I’m glad it’s not Tasha.”
Gray didn’t comment and neither brother spoke for several seconds.
“When did your sex life become such a national secret?”
“She wants to keep it out of the media.”
“Good luck with that one,” Trent said with sarcasm. “Addie said you’re staying for dinner?”
“Yeah, since K—” Gray stopped himself before he said anymore. “The person I really want to see is busy tonight, I’ll hang around and annoy you instead.”
“Nice save there, Gray. So the mystery woman’s name starts with a K.”
Be more careful. As long as he didn’t drop any other hints, Trent would never figure it out. After all, he’d assume Gray’s new girlfriend was from a wealthy family or a celebrity who owned a house in Rhode Island. Unless Gray tipped Trent off, he’d never suspect the truth.
“She’s not someone I’ve dated, is she? We know how awkward that can get.” Trent made reference to the one time their cousin, Scott Belmont, dated a former girlfriend of Trent’s.
“I don’t need your leftovers, Trent.”
“I never said you did. I’m just gathering more clues. If I haven’t dated her, that certainly narrows it down though.”
“Give up trying to figure it out. You’ll never get it and only manage to overtax your brain.”
Gray had seen his brother’s smile more than enough in the past, so he knew Trent had no intention of giving up. Since he had no intention of inadvertently helping his brother, he switched the television back on and began channel surfing.
Eventually, he settled on the sports channel, which they watched until Addie returned home.
Gray watched his older brother interact with Addie as she prepared dinner and while they ate. He’d known his brother must love her to marry her, but Trent’s behavior showed just how much he adored his wife. The behavior was so out of character, he wanted to ask what had happened to his real brother. Instead, he asked Addie about their honeymoon, and as she talked, he enjoyed the wonderful dinner she prepared.
“Your sister is coming over tomorrow night. Why don’t you come, too?” Addie asked.
“He’s too busy,” Trent answered as he started clearing the dinner plates. “He’s here to see the mystery woman Chloe saw him with a few weeks ago.”