YOURS TRULY

by Bella Grant

  Michael walked into the makeshift office they’d set up in the business center at their hotel just as Travis picked up his phone. Rather than irritated, he was happy to see his friend, who was interrupting what was going to be an unpleasant conversation.

  “Any luck?” he asked. Michael had been working with a private investigator all afternoon. They needed proof that the city manager was doing something illegal, not just hiding papers.

  “Not yet. As far as we’ve been able to find and see, the man is as clean as he seems to be. He just hates Smith.” He flopped down in a chair next to Travis, releasing a pent-up sigh.

  “What are we going to do?”

  “We’re wining and dining this guy tonight. We have to convince him and his wife—his second choice, apparently—that letting the doctors have this building will not put them in danger.”

  “What kind of danger could they possibly be afraid of?” Travis asked skeptically.

  “I think the second-choice wife is afraid if first-choice gal moves back to town, which will probably happen, that the hubby will try to cheat.”

  “Jesus Christ,” Travis mumbled. “Are we in a soap opera?”

  Michael chuckled. “Feels like it, huh?”

  “Well, I have to call Diana and tell her I’m not gonna make the concert tonight,” Travis told him. He glanced up at his friend and sighed. “You’ll probably want to leave the room.”

  “Who are you supposed to see?”

  “Ed Sheeran.”

  “I don’t even know who that is.”

  “You’re not a woman,” Travis informed him. “He is a talented guy, though. Diana is very excited.”

  “Can’t she take a friend?”

  “I’m sure she’ll take her best friend, but she really wanted to go with me. So this is going to be an ass-whooping of a conversation.”

  “You know what you should do?” Travis lifted his eyebrows in question. “You should get her and her friend a hotel room near the venue so they can make a night of it. Great surprise, and she might not be as mad.”

  Travis chuckled and nodded his head, though he wasn’t sure Diana would like that as much as another woman might. But it was sound advice. “I think I’ll do that. Thanks.”

  “I’m out,” Michael said, lifting his hands and heading out. “If you call her now, you’ll have time for a nap before dinner.”

  “Or a drink,” Travis mumbled after he closed the door behind him. He typed in the location of the venue and found a hotel within walking distance. He prayed they had a room free, and after a search, he discovered they had a suite available. He booked it for the weekend and hoped he’d be home tomorrow to join her. He also hoped Alyssa would go home.

  With a deep breath, he picked up his phone and hit her number, hoping she’d answer.

  Diana glanced down when her phone buzzed on her desk. She was busy with the sexual harassment case, so busy she had skipped lunch. When her phone buzzed, her stomach answered, growling angrily so the world knew it was empty.

  Cameron, who sat across from her, laughed. “We missed lunch. Take your call and I’ll order us something.”

  “Okay,” she said with a smile. Her smile widened when she saw Travis’ name on her screen. “Well, hello, handsome.”

  “Ah, my gorgeous girlfriend, how is your day?”

  “Busy, busy, busy,” she said with a sigh before perking up. “But don’t worry. Cameron promised I’d be finished early enough to get dolled up for the concert tonight. I’m so excited!” There was a hesitation on the other end of the line, and Diana’s smile dimmed when another few seconds passed and he hadn’t said a word. “Travis? Did I lose you?”

  “Um, no. But listen,” Travis began, and Diana felt her heart sink into her stomach. “I’m not going to be able to come home tonight.”

  “What? Why?” she asked, the words leaving her mouth so quickly they almost became one word.

  Travis cleared his throat. “Well, this deal has become a thorn in our sides, but we’ve invested too much money to just drop it and walk away. I have to do some wining and dining tonight to convince the city manager to let this project go through.”

  Diana was both sad and angry, and she wasn’t sure which of the two emotions she should give power. Was he becoming a workaholic again? As if reading her mind, he continued speaking.

  “Babe, listen. This is the first trip I’ve had to take in six months. I rarely have something like this come up, and when I do, I’ll try to make sure it doesn’t interfere with our time,” Travis explained, a note of pleading in his voice.

  “You know, I’ve heard that before,” Diana reminded him gently. “I’m trying not to be angry, but I can’t go through what I went through last time. I had to heal a broken heart and my credit score.”

  Travis chuckled at her little joke. “Well, at least you can joke.” When she didn’t speak, he continued quickly. “I had no idea when I got here this would turn into the clusterfuck it has. I would never bail on you like this.”

  She sighed, a sadness in the sound. “Do you promise you’re not still a workaholic and have been hiding it the past few weeks? Because that’s a lie I don’t think I can forgive.”

  “I promise. You can ask Michael, if I can find him,” he said, and she giggled a little. He’d told her about Michael dating the secretary and wondered if he meant he was with her.

  “Okay,” she conceded. “I won’t be mad.”

  “You shouldn’t be,” he teased. “I mean, you get to listen to Ed Sheeran in the third row. You might get to touch his hand if you’re crafty enough to sneak up front.”

  “Oh, I’m crafty,” she told him, giggling again.

  “Good. You can take Alyssa. The two of you can swoon all night, and you won’t have to worry about me being jealous,” Travis joked. “And I have another surprise.”

  “Oh really? Think you can buy my forgiveness?”

  “You are a female, right?”

  “Whoa whoa, watch it, now,” Diana growled, though she wasn’t really offended. “Better be careful.”

  “Yes, ma’am. I am properly chastised.”

  “What’s my surprise, smart ass?”

  “I booked a suite for you and Alyssa tonight, and I booked it tomorrow night for you and me,” Travis announced.

  Diana’s gasped loudly. “Oh, my God, Travis! That’s not necessary. I wasn’t really mad.”

  “I know you’re not, but I want you to have a good time with Alyssa tonight, and an even better time tomorrow night with me,” he said. “I’ll text you the info when we’re done talking.”

  “I can’t believe you did that,” Diana said, shaking her head. “You are too good to me, you know.”

  “Lot to make up for.”

  “I do, too, and I think we’re doing a splendid job of it,” Diana told him, smiling.

  She could hear the smile in his voice when he said, “I agree.”

  They finished their conversation, saying sweet I love yous at the end. Diana felt like she had won the lottery with this man. He was like a new man, and she felt as if she were a new woman. They made each other better, and she hoped they’d keep doing it for years and years. Decades, even.

  “What is that ridiculous grin on your face?” Cameron asked when he returned a second later. “Have you gone daft due to hunger?”

  “No,” Diana said with a roll of her eyes as she set her phone on the desk. “Travis can’t make the concert tonight and felt so guilty, he reserved a suite at some fancy hotel downtown near the venue.”

  “That’s fantastic! And so exciting!” Cameron exclaimed as he sat down heavily in the chair. “I want your boyfriend to be my boyfriend.”

  “I know!” Diana laughed, slapping his leg playfully. “Anyway, I’m taking Alyssa with me. We’ll have so much fun.”

  “Ah, honey, you will have fun. I’m so happy for you,” Cameron said. “However, if we don’t get this nonsense finished, I won’t let you leave. You’ll have a terrific boyfriend and an assho
le for a boss.”

  Diana snorted. “Like you could ever really be an asshole. Let me text Alyssa and I’ll get back to it. We can work while we eat.”

  Chapter 16

  “I can’t believe this is our room!” Alyssa shrieked as she ran about looking into every nook and cranny. She threw herself onto the bed and squealed again.

  Diana snickered as she wandered the room, depositing her luggage in a chair. “I can’t believe how fancy this room is. And it’s right across the street from the venue.”

  “We can go to dinner and have several drinks, then scream our asses off at Ed Sheeran,” Alyssa said. She grabbed her phone and hurried to the window. “Get over here and let’s do a selfie of us and the view. Post that to Facebook and think about all the jealous bitches.”

  Diana rolled her eyes but posed with her friend. After about five, they found one they agreed they both looked good in, and Alyssa plopped on the bed again to post it. As Diana headed for the bathroom, she called to Alyssa, “Hey, tag me in it so Travis can see it. He needs to see what he’s missing.”

  “Yeah, he does!” Alyssa exclaimed, chuckling evilly as she typed at warp speed.

  “What are you writing over there?” Diana asked as she shed her work clothes and changed. They had agreed they would change quickly and do makeup so they could get to dinner. They didn’t want to miss a second of Ed Sheeran. Of course, he wouldn’t come on until ten, but the opener was excellent as well.

  “Just where we are, and I said thank you to Travis,” Alyssa said, showing Diana her phone. “See, I’m being good. But I might not be all night.” She laughed maliciously.

  Diana stopped and pointed at her. “All right, missy! You’d better behave! How about we make a no posting pact?”

  “What?” she shrilled, her hand on her chest. “We’re going to see Ed Sheeran! I have to post!”

  Diana smirked at her dramatics. “Yeah, I guess so. I planned to post as well. Just behave! Do not get me in trouble!”

  “In trouble? With who? Cameron?” Alyssa scoffed, waving her hand dismissively. “Cameron doesn’t care.”

  “But his partners might, and his clients. I have to remember to be professional,” Diana reminded her. She slapped her ass. “Now get up and get dressed. I want plenty of time for dinner and drinks.”

  Alyssa laughed and jumped up. “I’ll be ready in ten.”

  Diana watched her leap into action, grabbing her massive makeup bag and hurrying to the bathroom. She glanced around the room. Travis must have spent a fortune, she mused as she drank some water from the bottle she’d snagged before leaving her apartment. The main area of the room was like her living room, though much nicer. A small bar was to the left, and to the right was the door that led to the bedroom and bathroom. The bedroom was lovely, though nothing a normal hotel didn’t have, but the bathroom was fantastic. The shower was a stand-up and big enough to comfortably fit two people. The jacuzzi could hold at least four, and she could easily imagine she and Travis in it, fucking like newlyweds.

  Giggling, she pulled her phone out of her bag, making sure it was fully charged. She put it on the charger, thanking God she had a long cord so she could take a quick selfie and send it to Travis.

  DIANA: Thank you for this night. I wish you were here!

  She set her phone down and stared out the window, mesmerized by the view. She could see the ocean, barely, but she could see it. The building where the concert was being held was empty right now, but in two hours, it would be crawling with women hoping to win Ed Sheeran’s heart the way he’d won theirs.

  TRAVIS: Aw baby, I wish I was there too. Believe me.

  Diana sent the selfie and waited patiently for him to get back to her. She stared into the mirror, turning her face from side to side, and decided she looked damn good. Travis is missing out, she thought with a grin, telling herself to have Alyssa take a full body shot to send to him.

  TRAVIS: Dear God, you look hot! Don’t get picked up by another guy!

  DIANA: Haha! Well, you’re out of luck if Ed looks my way.

  TRAVIS: I wouldn’t expect anything else.

  He added a winky face, eliciting a little giggle from Diana.

  DIANA: If he falls in love with me, maybe you can be my tennis pro, if you know what I mean.

  TRAVIS: Share you? Never!

  DIANA: Yeah, I don’t want to share either. So it’ll just be me and Ed.

  TRAVIS: I want my tickets back.

  DIANA: Whatever. You love when I tease you.

  TRAVIS: I love YOU.

  Diana smiled, giddy with happiness.

  DIANA: I love you, too.

  “Based on the ridiculous look on your face, you’re talking to Travis,” Alyssa grunted. She put her makeup away, smiled, and said, “Let’s go!”

  “Yes, it’s Travis,” Diana told her, sticking her tongue out. “He loves me, you know.”

  “Yes, I know, I know,” Alyssa grumbled. “Can we go?”

  Diana rolled her eyes and replied to Travis rather than to her friend, hoping Alyssa wasn’t a jerk every time she mentioned Travis. Of course, she would try not to constantly talk about him. Alyssa had already accused her of that, and she’d heard herself doing it. She would try her best not to be annoying, but she couldn’t help it. She was so happy to have him back in her life.

  DIANA: We’re headed out.

  TRAVIS: Have a great night, be careful, and send me occasional pics.

  DIANA: Will do! Love you!

  TRAVIS: Love you, too, babe.

  “Okay, let’s go!” Diana yelled, hooting loudly with Alyssa as they headed out the door. “Are you ready for dinner and the best concert of your life?”

  Alyssa shouted in the hallway, “Yeah, baby!”

  “Oh. My. God!” Diana screeched as they left the venue surrounded by hundreds of women making the same or similar exclamations. “That man is the sexiest man alive!”

  “Those pipes!” a stranger hollered above the din. “I nearly fainted every time he held a note!”

  Alyssa added, “And when he played that guitar? Damn, I wish those hands would play me!”

  Diana screamed with laughter, as did several women around them. They’d had more fun than they’d ever had, and though it was late, neither of them were tired. The excitement of the evening prevented the normal exhaustion of 12:30 after a day of work.

  “Let’s find a bar!” Diana suggested. “There’s no way I’m ready to head back to the hotel.”

  “Doesn’t the hotel have a good bar?” Alyssa asked as they set off on foot, following the majority of the crowd.

  “Probably, but it’ll be nothing but businessmen,” Diana complained. “Let’s find a place to dance.”

  “Hey,” the woman they’d been talking to said, “my friend and I are headed to the casino. Why don’t y’all come with us?”

  “Oh, well,” Diana hedged, but Alyssa’s eyes lit up.

  “What fun! I forgot there was a casino close by!”

  “Alyssa, that’s not such a good idea,” Diana said quietly.

  Alyssa waved her hand. “Oh, please. You won’t do anything you’re not supposed to. You’re past all that.”

  The woman said, “Hey, I don’t want to get you in trouble.”

  “Oh, you won’t get me in trouble. I tend to do that myself in casinos, if you know what I mean,” Diana told her. She held her hand out. “I’m Diana.”

  “Christy, and this is Bailey.” They shook hands after Diana introduced Alyssa. “So are you a gambler or something?”

  “Or something,” Diana said with a self-deprecating laugh. “Had some issues with gambling a few years ago. Haven’t been to a casino since.”

  “She’ll be fine,” Alyssa announced, turning as the other two turned. She grabbed Diana’s wrist and pulled her along, reassuring her. “You’ll be fine. I won’t let you do anything you’re not supposed to.”

  “I’m not supposed to go into a casino,” Diana reminded her as she allowed herself to be pulled
along. Her biggest fear was not that she would gamble. She had no desire at all to play the slots or sit down at one of the tables. No, her fear was that Travis would find out.

  “So what if he does?” Alyssa complained, stopping and putting her hands on her hips. Christy and Bailey kept walking, leaving them to their argument. “He’s not your owner.”

  “That’s not what I mean,” Diana replied. “My gambling ended our marriage.”

  “No,” Alyssa said immediately, glaring defiantly at her. “His workaholism drove you to gamble, and the two things combined fucked up your marriage. You can’t take all the blame.”

  Diana thought about the truth in her friend’s words. She hadn’t ruined their marriage alone, and her slightly inebriated mind reminded her that he was supposed to be with her, not Alyssa. That he’d had to work and had left her again. I won’t gamble if we go, but I also won’t tell Travis, she decided.

  She looked Alyssa in the eyes and said, “Let’s go.”

  “Yay!” Alyssa clapped her hands together, then grabbed one of Diana’s and ran after the other two women. “Bailey! Christy! Wait for us!”

  “You’re coming?” Bailey asked, smiling broadly at Diana.

  “We’re coming,” Diana said, shrugging dramatically. “I’ll just behave myself.”

  They walked the three blocks to the casino, gabbing and giggling, and waving at passing cars that honked. When they reached the casino, Alyssa wanted a picture in front of the giant marquee out front with the name of the casino emblazoned across it. All four of them posed after asking a tourist to take their picture.

  “Four hot women out on the town!” the older man who offered to take their picture called, laughing with his wife at the antics of the young. “You be careful tonight, young ladies!”