Page 19 of I Love You Again
"We were thinking," Neilbegan.
Trina had known Neil a long time and knew that when he started a sentence like that he was going to come out with some outlandish idea. Like when he asked her to fill in for his mom at the dog parlor, and dog walk twenty dogs at the same time. Or, like when he asked her to help him and Jennifer bake a thousand cupcakes overnight because he forgot he was doing a work charityevent.
"What Neil? You were thinking what?" Brad askedimpatiently.
Neil tried to answer but stopped, looked at them both and continued. "We think that you guys should have some time together. Just you two, no one else and no distractions. We think that it would be good for you, and you shouldn't leave because of eachother."
"What do you mean by time together?" Trina asked glowering athim.
"We booked you in a beach house on Maui for a week." Jennifer stepped in with a bright, upbeat expression as if she'd come up with the best idea in theworld.
"What!" Trina and Brad bothshrieked.
"Jennifer –" Trinahuffed.
"No." Jennifer stopped her from continuing and stepped away from Neil's grasp. "You told me once that I was your very best friend and that you'd do anything forme."
"This is what you want?" Trina asked weakly, narrowing her gaze. It was hard to believe that she’d want this. Especially after their talk last night. Jennifer knew how Trinafelt.
"Yes. This is what I want." Jennifer nodded firmly. “I want you to do this forme.”
"Brad, you said the same to me." Neil jumped in. "We've been through a lot man. And I've done a lot foryou."
Trina noted Brad's reaction. He brought his hand up to his head andsighed.
"I won't make Trina do something she's not comfortable with." Brad shook hishead.
"You aren't," Jennifer stated and fixed her gaze back on Trina. "Trina will say yes.I amher best friend, and I would never be wrong in telling anyone that she'd do anything for me. Iknowshe will." Jennifer stared at Trina now. "Trinawilldo this forme."
It was the power of real friendship. That was what it was. Jennifer was right and knew that only she could make such arequest.
Trina watched as Jennifer reached into her purse and pulled out an envelope. She handed it toher.
"Your keys for the house are in there," Neilstated.
Brad looked at Trina when she took theenvelope.
"You guys should probably pack now, the ferry leaves in two hours," Jenniferadded.
Trina sighed wondering how on earth she was going to get throughthis.
* * *
She didn't saya word to him during the journey toMaui.
Brad was used to the silent treatment when they were younger, but this felt worse than the run of the mill differences they used tohave.
He knew she hated this whole idea, and to be honest, he didtoo.
He wasn't impressed with Neil or Jennifer and thought that this was one time they should have left the situationalone.
Now he had to endure the torture of watching Trina's sour face and abrasive mood. He already felt bad as it was. It was nice when they were talking and laughing this morning. He felt like he was getting somewhere, and maybe she could forgive him. But now he knew there was definitely no chance ofthat.
When their taxi pulled up at the beach house, Brad had to take a moment to appreciate the house and thesurroundings.
Wow, Neil and Jennifer had certainly gone allout.
The place was amazing. Brad stood beside the taxi and took in the brilliance of the Victorian style house. With its soft cream and burgundy colors, it was truly stunning. Just like the woman who stood before it with her luscious brown hair blowing in the wind. It didn't escape him that Trina was more beautiful now than when he last saw her. She was only a girl then, a girl who'd captured his heart with her astounding beauty and angelicspirit.
