“What?” Trevor groaned.
“She make you happy?”
Recent memories flashed through his mind. Lexi smiling. Laughing. Those dimples and that damn blush.
“Yeah,” Trevor admitted. “She does.”
“Then, I’m happy for you, man. It’s about fucking time.”
His friend was right. With Hadim dead, Trevor was finally free to close that chapter of his life and start looking at his future. Hopefully, that future would include Lexi.
Just thinking about seeing her again made his stomach bubble with anticipation. He felt like a damn teenager, but he couldn’t help it. Shedidmake him happy. Happier than he’d been in a very long time, and he couldn’t wait to see her again.
****
Lexi, Joe, Caleb, andGina all walked across the vacant parking lot to their cars. It had been an especially busy day, and Lexi was ready for a hot bath and a glass of wine.
“When’s your man coming back?” Gina lit a cigarette as they walked.
Though they were the same age, the other woman looked nearly ten years older than Lexi did. Gina’s dark hair was kept pixie-short, and the lines and creases on her face told much of her story.
Years of living hard and playing even harder had taken its toll on Gina’s youthful skin. But she was nice, and Lexi genuinely enjoyed working with her.
“I don’t know,” Lexi answered. She didn’t bother to deny that Trevor was her man. Mainly, because she already felt as though he was. “Most of what he does is confidential, so he can’t really tell me much. But, he promised to call as soon as he got back.”
Taking a drag, Gina inhaled deeply before releasing a stream of smoke between her ruby red lips. “Well, honey. For your sake, I hope he does.”
“Oh, he’ll call,” Caleb spoke up from behind them.
“Yeah?” Gina asked, turning her head. “How can you be so sure?”
Caleb snickered. “Trust me. He’s nowhere near done with our little Lexi.”
“You think he’s just stickin’ around ’till he gets tired of her, or is he in for the long haul?”
“That guy’s playing for keeps.”
“Keeps, huh? Wow.” Gina shouldered Lexi’s arm. “Way to go, Lex.”
“Um, hello...” Lexi drew out the word and waved her hand. “I’m right here, you know. And ya’ll can stop talking about my love life anytime, now.”
“What?” Gina asked. “We’re happy for you. Aren’t we, Caleb?”
“Hell, yeah. We’ve been talking all week about how much more you’ve been smilin’, lately.”
“Gee...I didn’t realize I was such a miserable hag before,” Lexi teased. “Someone should’ve said something.”
“Ah, come on, Lex. You know what we mean.” Sincerity filled Caleb’s young eyes. “You just seem...happier. That’s all.”
Lexi blushed, but couldn’t hide her smile.
“See?” Gina pointed at her with the hand that held her cigarette. “That’s exactly what we’re talkin’ about.”
Rolling her eyes, Lexi laughed silently. “Well, maybe you’d look this happy, too, if you’d asked that one guy for his number.”
“What guy?” asked Caleb.
“Some customer who came in tonight. He’s come in a few times lately.”
