Page 9 of The Tryst

Ignoring his smug grin, I turn and march back to the office, trying to focus on the records again. But it’s impossible with Trey moving around and making noise. I try not to look into the lobby and even manage to devote a solid ten minutes to organizing paper files.

But then he’s standing in the doorway, filling up the office with his presence, even though he’s only leaning against the jamb. “I’ve got that list of supplies.” He looks down at his phone to where he’s apparently typed a list before shoving it in his back pocket. “I’ll price some flooring for you. If they have it in stock, I can start on it this afternoon.”

I pin my gaze at the stack of invoices before me, not willing to give him too much attention because I know he’ll turn it into more. I’m aloof but polite. “That would be fine. Thank you.”

I wait for him to leave but he doesn’t. I study the paperwork, trying my best to ignore him, determined to wait him out.

“What exactly do you do in Zurich?” he asks, breaking the silence.

I sigh, pushing my hair back from my face. “I’m a senior business consultant at Global Strategies Ltd.”

“And what does that mean?”

“It means I help them optimize their operations, expand into new markets, that sort of thing.”

I return to my work, but he’s not finished. “Is that what you went to school for?”

I nod. “International business administration.”

“And you like it?”

“I like it,” I admit. “Now, I really have to—”

“But you don’t love it,” he says.

My head whips his way, my eyes narrowed. “Who says I don’t?”

“I do.” His eyes roam over my face, searching for something to prove himself wrong.

“You don’t know anything about me,” I snap.

Trey crosses his arms over his chest and gives me a lopsided grin. “Oh, I know things about you, Holland. But in this instance, if you loved it, you would have said so when I asked. Your face would have lit up. You would have told me more about it.”

“That’s ridiculous,” I sputter indignantly, mainly chafed that he would reference our past. “Zurich is beautiful. The city is clean, efficient, and I have a great group of friends there. It feels like home.”

“Didn’t ask about Zurich, although I have heard it’s beautiful. I asked about your career. Are you married?” he asks bluntly.

In hindsight, I’m sure the proper response would be something to the effect of, “It’s none of your damn business,” but instead I shake my head, discombobulated by his poking and find myself admitting, “No. I work a lot and it doesn’t leave timefor dating.” And because if I’m going to hate myself for engaging, I might as well really turn on the loathing. “Are you married?”

“Nope. Do you still ride?” His expression softens with genuine interest.

“Yes,” I murmur, and for whatever reason, I don’t mind sharing that. “Not as often as I’d like but there are some beautiful trails outside of Zurich, and I’ve found a stable that reminds me a bit of Blackburn Farms.”

Trey smiles, looking pleased. “That makes me very happy, Holland.”

Somehow, the tension inside me has eased, and I do have curiosities of my own. I lean back in the creaky office chair, place my hands on the armrests. “Your mom and dad looked good. They doing okay?”

“They’re great. Fully retired and traveling, spending a few months each year over in Ireland with Mom’s family. Ethan’s running everything now.”

“And Wade, Kat and Abby?”

“Abby’s a vet practicing in Pittsburgh, but Wade and Kat work on the farm with me. We’re mostly doing all the training and lessons, but we’ve had to step in to help Ethan now that his daughter, Sylvie, came to live with him.”

“Daughter? He was married?”

Trey tips his head back and laughs. “Oh man… you have missed out on so much since you left. Let’s just say Ethan had a drunken one-night stand with Alaine Mardraggon that produced the cutest little girl.”

“Alaine Mardraggon!” My jaw drops, because I know the history as well as anyone.

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