“I’ve never had really drunk sex.Care to join me?”This time it was Trent’s turn to look surprised as he stepped back.
“Why, did you just proposition me, Ms.Connelly?”
“I believe I did, Mr.Andrews.”
“That’s incredibly hot.”He kissed her softly.“How can I refuse when you proposition me so sweetly?”
Taking her hand, he led her from her own party to his apartment, a place that was starting to feel like home.
***
The following afternoon, Trent clicked on the print icon and smiled.The party he’d thrown for her was fun, but he couldn’t wait to see her reaction to the dinner and surprise he’d planned for just the two of them that evening.He closed his laptop and walked over to the printer.He gave the document one last check before folding the paper and slipping it into the envelope.
His phone vibrated on the table and he answered.
“Mr.Andrews, it’s Detective Lopes.”
“Hey, Detective,” he said.“What can I do for you?”
“Are you near your computer?You need to see something.”
“Sure am.”Trent reopened his laptop and followed Lopes’s instructions.As soon as the video appeared, Trent’s smile broadened.A young guy in a hoodie, spraying the outside of his shop.If the kid was dumb enough to post pictures of his crime online, he deserved to get caught.
“His name is Deonte Walker.Wants to be the American answer to some Brit artist called Banksy.Calls his quote-unquoteartUrban Mindfulness.”Lopes’s voice was laced with sarcasm.
The kid was smart enough to understand the store name, come up with a clever response.Trent replayed the video, watched the way he created the font, kept consistency in the spacing, nice and tight, the way Trent liked it.Deonte had some talent.There was only one decision he could make.
“I am not pressing charges,” Trent said.
“You’re not?”
No, But I want to meet Deonte.He and I have a lot in common.”
They finalized the details and hung up the phone.What a crazy coincidence.The only thing missing was being there to catch Deonte.Instead he’d been in LA with Michael.
Michael had called him two days ago and finalized the contract.It was official.In a matter of months, Trent was going to be able to add TV presenter to his resume.The idea still made him laugh.Being on TV had never been in his line of sight.
Checking his bank account that morning, he saw the proof sitting there—a lovely six-figure signing bonus that he planned to fully spoil Harper with.Drea had mentioned an amazing pair of shoes that Harper had been worshipping.Part of him just wanted to get it over with.Tell her tonight.He was going to be able to offer Harper everything she could dream of—unless she wanted a really big yacht, in which case he was still fucked.But outside of the yacht possibility, he was all good.
There was a small piece of his gut that said she was going to be a bit upset that he hadn’t involved her in the process sooner, but once she got over that, she had to see how good it was going to be for the two of them.
Taking one last look in the mirror, he tucked the envelope into his inside pocket and straightened the black jacket he was wearing.Sure, it might be covering a black shirt worn untucked over black jeans, but it was still a jacket.
Tonight felt like an incredibly special occasion, the start of an exciting journey in their life.He wanted to ensure that Harper understood he only wanted to start it with her.
Grabbing his keys and sliding his wallet into the back pocket of his jeans, he turned off the lights of the condo and headed down to flag a cab.
After giving the cab driver Harper’s address, Trent rested his elbow on the door handle and rubbed his chin as he looked out of the window.
He was in love with her.All the signs were there.Didn’t want to be away from her.Wanted to stay with her and keep her safe.Loved making out with her.Loved making love to her.He smiled at that one.Yeah.He loved her, and he was going to tell her tonight.
***
Leaning back in her chair, Harper removed the napkin from her lap, placing it down next to the remains of what was once a pear soufflé.“That was so good, Trent.I may well burst if I eat one more thing.”The food had been to die for.
“I have one last surprise for you, Harp.”Trent reached into the inside pocket of his jacket and pulled out a long white envelope.
“I’ve big news.The reason I was going to LA, well, I’ve been asked to be part of a tattooing reality TV show.It’s going to be huge.I’ll explain the show later, but they want me to judge the damn thing.It’ll mean eight weeks of filming, but the money they offered me, Harper, it’s going to set us up.I want us to move in together.”Trent reached across the table and handed her the envelope.She opened it, and pulled out two tickets for a flight leaving the next day to Los Angeles.His eyes were bright and wide as he smiled.“We can get a house or a bigger condo, whatever you want.”
