Page 64 of Just A Trip

“I know.” Believing it is another matter. “I freaked out a little, but I know. It’s just, he has a huge family who loves him. I’m not even sure how to be a part of something like that. Long-term anyway.”

“Were we at the same house last night? Everyone loved you. And that’s not going to change. That’s the thing about family. About the Bentleys. They’ll give you more love than you’ve ever known before. And you don’t have to do anything to earn it.”

“That sounds way too good to be true.”

“Don’t get me wrong. It’s also annoying. I don’t know how many times Michael’s grandma has asked when I’m going to have a baby, we’ve been married for like six months, but that family is everything I always dreamed of. What you dreamed of, too.”

I don’t question how she knows that. We’ve been best friends long enough. I only hope I can actually be a part of Trent’s family.

“Get dressed and go talk.” Juliet drops the clothes on the counter and walks out. A moment later, she yells. “Trent, what are you doing up there? You’re going to fall off that stool and die.”

“I’m fine.” He growls that sexy growl thing and tingles race down my spine.

My hair is fresh and clean but I have no desire to do it. I brush it out then apply some mascara before leaving the bathroom.

The apartment is quiet when I emerge, Juliet is gone, and Trent is… where is he?

I search the living room, then peek into the kitchen. A pair of long legs poke out from under the sink. Something clangs and he mutters a curse.

I tiptoe over to him. “How’s it looking, Gerald?”

He jerks and based on the sound that follows, bumps his head into a pipe.

“Sorry.” I cover my laugh.

“My mom told you?” He scoots himself out.

“Yes, and I had to try very hard not to laugh. But I suppose now I get to call you Gerry.”

“No way.”

I purse my lips. “Is that what you’re going to use your final no on? You don’t get anymore.”

“I don’t plan on saying no to you ever again,” he whispers.

My heart beats faster. What does that mean? Whatcanit mean?

Trent stands up and flips on the faucet.

The water actually drains.

“Hey, you fixed it!”

He turns, folding his arms and leaning a hip against the counter, his lips twitching. “It wasn’t as hard as changing a tire, but Icanfix somethings.”

“Good to know.” I tease.

He grins. His lips look so perfect sitting there waiting for me. I take a moment to study him. I’ve never considered I might have a type before, but now I know, he’s it. If things don’t work out between us, I’ll be ruined for every other guy because, for a split second in my life, I was his. And it was perfect. Perfectly imperfect.

“I’m sorry.” I blurt.

“Stop.” He pushes away from the counter and grabs my hand. “Don’t apologize foranything.I know why you didn’t come back.”

“Trent I—”

“I’m sorry about what I said. I’ll be honest, for a minute last night I wondered if maybe you were so happy because of my family, not me.” His admission breaks my heart a little because I can see how he might have believed that.

“I do love your family,” I whisper. “But only because of you. It was a dream to be a part of it, but I couldn’t pretend anymore that it didn’t hurt. Because I’ve wanted that forever, but it’s not really mine.”

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