Lee scoffs, then lets out a long sigh. “Sure. We should get the gang together again to welcome Trevor back to town.”
I rub anxiously at my neck. “I’ll talk to Trevor about it.”
A truck rattles down the dirt road, kicking up dust, signaling the end of our somewhat tense conversation. The upcoming weekend requires us to visit the sunflower fields for the approaching fall season. Not much to do, but I always like to be involved with anything involving the dirt at Clay Road Farms. If it’s planted, I want to know, and I want to help it grow. Just a point of pride for me.
Lee and I walk quietly up to the office, but the closer we get, the more I realize that wasn’t just any truck. My classic Chevy gleams under the bright Florida sun. The most beautiful sight greets us as we approach the office. Trevor stands by the driver’s side door, elbows resting on the open window ledge, sweet smile on his face. He looks achingly perfect in the too-bright Florida summer sun. My heart does a sweet little kick of something I’m afraid to put words to just yet at the sight of him.
“Handsome,” Trevor whispers once I’m in earshot.
Heat creeps up my neck, but I ignore it, because something about him calling me handsome makes me all sort of stupid. Checking the coast is clear, I press Trevor against the truck to give him a hello kiss. His lips easily part for mine, letting me in to taste the sweetness of him. I lean my forearm on the roof behind him to cage him in between me and the truck.
Every kiss between us is like the very first one. Trevor never fights me for dominance, never tries to take over, he just lets melead. Pretty sure it’s because he trusts me, and his trust is more precious to me than any jewel.
“Best hello I’ve ever gotten,” Trevor teases as he caresses my bearded cheek.
“You drove my truck.”
His cheeks pinken under my heavy stare. “I did.”
“I like it. What’s mine is yours.” I kiss him again, softer this time. I rock our foreheads together once I pull away from his perfect lips. “I wanna see you drive my truck.”
“Definitely not as toe curling as watching you drive it.”
“Not so sure about that. Hungry?”
Trevor nods while patting my stomach with a smirk. “Starving.”
I twine our fingers together as I tug him towards the farm food truck. The truck is one of Andy’s best ideas. Pastries and meals cooked with some of our fruit grown on the farm, along with other locally grown ingredients. On the weekends the food truck can be bought out within only a few hours. But on the weekdays, it’s just us on the farm, so Joey, the chef, keeps a limited supply for the employees.
“Hey, boss,” Joey calls through the open truck window.
I groan at the nickname. Joey leans halfway out the window, all messy dark hair, and a dimpled grin. Trevor’s hand tightens on mine for just a second, before trying to tug loose, but I hold his hand tight. Not happening on my watch.
“You know I hate when you call me boss.”
Joey winks again. “That’s why I do it.”
“Two lunch specials.”
Rolling his eyes at me refusing to play along, his gaze goes to Trevor, only to return to me. “Sure. Nice to see you again, Trevor.”
They shake hands briefly, but I easily clock the wary look on Trevor’s face. His tells aren’t as hidden as he likes to think. Joeyhums to himself as he disappears back into the truck to make our lunch. No time like now to bring some essential items up, I guess.
“You know I’m out, right? You were my wedding date, funeral date, everyone knows.”
Trevor blows out an uneasy breath. “I know. I just… I’m trying to fit into your life here. New people make me nervous… I’m always afraid.” He trails off and looks around, eyes seemingly searching for threats. “I’m always afraid someone will recognize me. Put two and two together. Not just because my face was plastered in the headlines when I sat at my parents’ trial, but also because well… I was an escort. It was fine before I didn’t think I’d ever come back but…”
“Now it’s real and you don’t want your parents' legacy to ruin it.”
Trevor laughs bitterly. “Well, yeah.”
“Can you listen to me, sweetheart?” I take his hand back in mine, and tenderly kiss his knuckles, then press his palm to my cheek. “If people find out, we’ll deal with it. I’m gonna keep you, that’s all you need to know. Right?”
Trevor shifts his palm under my hand to sweetly cup the curve of my jaw. His head tilts a little to stare up at me with a look so fond that my heart aches.
“You’re going to destroy me for anyone else,” Trevor whispers like it's a secret.
“Good, ’cause I’m the last one.”
