Megan was sure he was telling the truth, but couldn’t help giggling.
“All right, so maybe you’re not the biggest jerk in the world. I can understand wanting to go out with someone you secretly liked in high school, but what I don’t get is this huge production. You had your mother set us up on a date. All you had to do was call me on the phone. I’m listed and I did owe you a dance. I would have said yes. Just to warn you, though, I’m not sure I’m a good bet right now.”
Trevor noticed the shadows appear in her eyes and knew he would do anything to make them disappear.
“Don’t sell yourself short. According to my sources, you’re quite the prize. Not only are you the best realtor in the world, I believe my mom said you had E.S.P., and you have a gorgeous dog, a nice home, and a pretty little sister. There aren’t that many women out there who can offer anything close to that.”
Megan snorted at the mention of her dog. Maybe Trevor was in the market for one?
“You’re forgetting one teensy weensy detail: I’m cursed. If I were you, I’d run for it. Me and relationships don’t mix. I’m a disaster just waiting to happen.”
Trevor knew Megan was thinking of Dylan. It was as if there was a third person at their table. A very unwelcome third person.
“Did you love him very much?”
Megan’s head snapped up as she looked at Trevor in surprise.
“Oh, I almost forgot you had a spy. I should have realized your mom would tell you everything.”
Trevor grimaced, knowing he should have done things differently where his mom was concerned. He had thought he was being so clever and inventive.
“Did you?”
Megan tilted her head up in irritation and stared at the lights hanging from the ceiling. Well, it was a night for truth it would seem. She’d never see Trevor again after tonight anyway, so what would it matter?
“Yes, I did. I loved him. I don’t know that I was in love with him, but if you grew up the way I did, where there wasn’t a lot of affection or even acceptance, having a relationship where someone actually cared about you and looked out for you was amazing. A little overbearing at times, but still comforting. Because of him, I took the discussions and joined the church my junior year in high school. His family really took me in. Wow, was that an eye opener. Family Home Evenings, daily prayer, scripture study. A family that really loved each other. I have to be honest, I don’t know if it was Dylan or his family I wanted more. At the time, my parents thought it was great. Now, I realize that was my dad just making a business deal sweeter. My dad and his dad were going to merge their two companies. Things fell through, though. Oh, well. I’ve always wondered if someone else had asked me out, what I would have done. I guess we’ll never know.”
Trevor had trouble meeting her gaze. Their lives might have been very different if he had been a little more humble.
“Oh, admit it. If I had asked you out, not only would Dylan have beaten me up, you would have laughed your head off. The head cheerleader and the seminary president. You wouldn’t have been able to hold your head up in the cafeteria. Admit it.”
Megan pursed her lips, ready to defend herself, and then wondered what her parents would have done if she had come home one day and told them she no longer wanted to date Dylan, the son of one of her father’s closest business acquaintances, but that she would now be dating the poor seminary president. Her mom and dad would have nipped that in the bud as fast as you could say, “no money for clothes.”
“I really can’t say. I’d like to say that I would have. And besides, Dylan wouldn’t have beat you up. Weren’t you some karate champion or something?”
“They call it a black belt,” Trevor said with a laugh. He reached his hand across the table.
“Let’s call it a truce then, shall we? I’ll admit that I was a spineless jerk and that I shouldn’t have set this date up the way I did if you’ll admit that, yes, I am one of the best looking guys you’ve ever been out with, and that, no, you won’t change your phone number tomorrow morning.”
Megan laughed and reached out to shake his hand. “You got it. I won’t change my phone number and, yes, you just might be the best looking man I’ve ever gone out with. But don’t let it go to your head.”
Trevor’s grin was so wide, Megan could tell he would need a clamp to stop smiling.
“And, by the way, I’m sorry about that kiss last Saturday. I was just upset that Dylan was trying to humiliate you. It was my dumb way of sticking up for you.”
Megan took a sip of water and patted her mouth with her napkin before answering. Holding grudges wasn’t one of her favorite things to do. Maybe she should give him a break.
“Okay, Trevor. All is forgiven. But I’m warning you, next time you want a little kiss, ask.”
Trevor wanted to jump up in the air and shout, “Hallelujah, she said NEXT TIME!” But he settled for telling the waiter to put all of Megan’s untasted entrees into the best-looking doggie bags they could find. He even went so far as to order desserts to go along with all of her meals. Megan felt slightly mean about all of the food she had ordered, but knew it wouldn’t go to waste. It might even tempt her sister to gain a few pounds.
The three couples met outside and waited for the valet to bring Cora’s car. Cora and Linette both attempted to catch Megan’s eye, wondering where they should go from here. Cora gave up and tapped Megan on the shoulder anxiously, not knowing what her reaction would be.
“Megan, do you still feel up to a play or would you like us to take you home? Blaine and Linette say they don’t care what they do, and Drew and I can take a play in some other time. What do you feel like doing?”
Megan looked around the group for their reactions. It looked as if Blaine and Linette would be happy any place they could talk. Drew was beaming down at Cora and would clearly be happy as long as he was with her. Trevor was looking at the ground, but his hands were clenched at his sides. She wasn’t sure what to make of that. What did she want to do? She really didn’t want to go to a play. Her mind was in such a jumble she knew she wouldn’t be able to concentrate. She had started to enjoy Trevor’s company. It would be nice to just go for a walk with him. Everybody would think she was an idiot if she suggested that, though.
“Don’t worry about hurting my feelings, Megan. If you’d rather just go on home, then that’s what we’ll do. I promise I won’t start crying.”
Megan’s mouth twitched at the thought of Trevor boohooing over her. As if. “Well, to be honest, I would rather just go home. I don’t feel like a play tonight. Maybe we could pick up a video on the way home—and some ice cream. We could make some shakes or something. And I really need to take my dog on a walk. Would you mind?”
Trevor’s face had closed up as she voiced her wish to go home, but at the mention of a video and a walk, his grin was back bigger than ever. Everyone in the group laughed in relief that the evening wasn’t going to end.
Blaine put his arm around Linette’s shoulders as he insisted on being the one to pick the movie. Linette’s eyes were sparkling and she looked very different from the sad, hopeless girl she had been just a few days earlier. It was amazing what a little bit of care and good food could do for a person. Not to mention a little romance. And she did have Cora and Trevor to thank for that. She turned and smiled at Cora, who walked over to her quickly, pulling her in for a quick hug.
“I’m sorry, Megan. I would never have hurt you for the world. Do you forgive me?”
Megan hugged her back, kissing her on the cheek.
“Of course I do. I was just caught off guard. I didn’t know what to think. We’re still friends.”
Trevor watched his mom and Megan hug and laugh together and wondered if there was still hope for him. Maybe he would keep the diamond ring around for a little while longer yet. He patted the pocket where he kept it and smiled. He could wait another week.
Seventeen
I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU NAMED this dog Marjorie. She’s more like a Katie o
r Bridget. Where’d you come up with it?”
Megan tried wrapping the leash around her waist and then her arm to keep control of Marjorie, but her border collie was impossible. Her walks with Marjorie were always like this. Megan was pulled from one end of her subdivision and back again. Her arms and back always ached the next day.
“I read the book Glimpses Into the Life and Heart of Marjorie Hinckley and thought it was utterly unfair that I didn’t know anyone like her. And, if you haven’t noticed, I don’t exactly have a house full of kids to keep me busy, so I went down to the Humane Society and picked out Marjorie. I knew she would be the perfect companion. I pictured myself going on peaceful walks with her, having her lay at my feet in front of the fireplace while I read a book. You know, all that neat dog stuff. Then I woke up to reality. She outright refused to be house trained, so she has to be outside; I have her to thank for the polka dot pattern on my grass. And she was personally offended by all of the flowers and trees I had planted back there, so she took it upon herself to rip them all out. She’s quite the companion.”
Trevor winced as Marjorie pulled so hard on the leash that it almost took a few of Megan’s fingers along with her.
“Give me that before you hurt yourself.”
Megan gratefully handed over the leash and was amazed when a curt “heel” had Marjorie slowing down and keeping pace. Every time Marjorie jumped ahead, Trevor pulled her back consistently and patiently. A half a block later, Megan was actually enjoying her walk. It was a new experience.
“Well, you seem to know all about me, why don’t you tell me more about yourself. What have you been up to these past ten years besides getting worms in Guatemala and becoming a millionaire?”
Trevor bent to pick up a broken piece of glass lying in the middle of the sidewalk and stuck it in his pocket. He sighed before answering.
“There’s not much to tell, really. I came back from my mission and started a computer repair business. I had always loved working with computers and just felt that was where I wanted to be. But in my spare time I developed a computer program that I ended up selling for quite a bit of money. Then it dawned on me. Why don’t I forget the repair business and focus on the development of new software programs? After a few years things really started to take off. I’ve branched out, picked up a few more companies along the way. Sometimes I miss the repair business though, believe it or not. Life was a lot more simple back then.”
Megan smiled and shoved her hands into her jeans pockets. It felt good talking to someone. She usually didn’t mind being by herself all of the time, but lately she had been feeling sort of lonely. Like she was missing out on something important. Or someone important.
“What about personally? Why didn’t you ever get married?”
Trevor paused by a tree to let Marjorie do her business. He scuffed the toe of his shoe across the concrete, as if he were a little kid. He looked very uncomfortable by the question, but Megan didn’t feel too guilty. It was her turn after all.
“There was someone. I was twenty-five, and I had just made my first million. I was feeling on top of the world and I figured it was about time I settled down and started my family. So I went to my singles ward that very next Sunday and began trying to pick out my bride to be. When I did, she looked a lot like you, believe it or not. Well, like you used to anyway. I knew I had made a huge mistake where you were concerned, so I was determined not to be sidetracked by outer appearances. Her name was Bethany. It wasn’t hard to get a date with her. She had heard about my company and knew I wouldn’t be taking her to McDonald’s for dinner. We dated for a few months and then I popped the question. She said yes, and then, of course, we went and picked out rings. I started to wonder when she picked out the biggest ring available. But I thought, what the heck, I could afford it. She eventually dumped me and immediately pawned her ring to start up her own business. She’s a successful caterer now and very happy, I hear.”
Megan laughed softly, not wanting to believe there was someone as unlucky as she was.
“If I were you, I’d start handing out cubic zirconium rings. You’d save a lot of money that way.”
Trevor scowled at her, hoping she was joking. She wasn’t.
“As long as we’re talking about our personal lives, do you mind me asking what happened to make you change so much? I honestly didn’t even recognize you at the reunion. I couldn’t believe my ears when Dylan called you Megan. I had been staring at you from the moment you entered the room. I was racking my brain trying to figure out who in the world this incredibly beautiful woman was.”
Megan looked at Trevor quickly, wondering if he was giving her a line or telling the truth.
“What seems sudden to you was gradual for me, really. I moved out of the house to go to school and my roommate really opened my eyes. Jeanette was kind. She was genuine and not fake at all. At first I kind of sneered behind her back at her. At the time, I just didn’t get it. But she taught me a lot about myself. She taught me that I could be liked for myself and that I had the right to expect other people to like me for myself, too. She also encouraged me to go to church regularly.
“I have to admit I didn’t go to church as much as I should have after Dylan went on his mission. It was hard for me to go with roommates who had been members all of their lives. I felt like such an idiot as far as the gospel went. They would talk about ideas and concepts that I just wasn’t ready for. So Jeanette would bribe me with her homemade brownies to get me to go to the devotionals and firesides with her. When I joined the church, I had a testimony that it was true, but there was just so much I didn’t understand. And she helped me with that. I can’t believe how much I still miss her. She met and fell in love with an Australian—that’s where they live now. She still sends me Christmas cards every year.”
Megan glanced over at Trevor to see if she was boring him to death, but he just smiled encouragingly at her. Megan smiled shyly back, embarrassed to be revealing something so personal. But it was actually kind of nice to talk about it. She’d never really formed how she felt into words before.
“So, eventually, I started to find myself layer by layer under all of the junk I had covered myself up with. The real me—the daughter-of-God me. I’m not saying people who highlight their hair or wear red lipstick need psychoanalysis or anything. But, for me, all of those extras added up to one big shield against the world.” Megan grinned suddenly as she remembered. “You should have seen Dylan’s face when he stepped off the airplane after serving two years in Alaska. It was as if the light had gone out of his eyes. For the next three months, he tried to convince me to go back to the way I used to be, but I just couldn’t. It took a long time, but this is me. Take it or leave it.”
“I’ll take you.”
Megan was alarmed at his reply. She hoped he was kidding, because she wasn’t ready to be taken by anybody—gorgeous, kooky millionaire or not.
“Don’t say that.”
“If it’s the truth, why shouldn’t I? Why does it make you so uncomfortable to know that someone wants to be with you? I’ll be honest. I think you’re beautiful. And I think you’re still that kind, wonderful person I saw peeks of in high school. I want you to give me a chance.”
Megan stopped and stared open-mouthed at Trevor. She was floored, and there he was standing there smiling at her with her dog at his feet waiting patiently. This couldn’t be happening to her.
“You’re going way too fast for me, Trevor. Whatever happened to dating a person and seeing if you’re compatible with them? Whatever happened to courtship? You sound like you want to go pick out rings tomorrow or something. I just don’t work that way.”
Trevor thought of his grandmother’s wedding ring and wondered if Megan’s green eyes would match the emeralds.
“Don’t even worry about the ring, Megan. All I want from you right now is your word that you’ll give me a chance. How about this: why don’t we go out together for the next month and then, at the end of the month, if y
ou want me to hit the road, then I’m out of here. I won’t bother you again. A restraining order won’t be necessary, I promise.”
Megan giggled and began walking again, as she thought about it.
“Will I have to introduce you to people as my boyfriend?”
Trevor smiled reassuringly. “Absolutely.”
Megan laughed, but then realized Trevor was being serious.
This guy was a nut, but he was starting to grow on her. And, after all, it was just for one month.
Megan looked up and realized they had made a full circle and were now standing in front of her house again. Through the open window she could smell the popcorn that Linette was making for everyone. She still couldn’t believe tonight hadn’t turned into a complete nightmare. What was wrong with her luck? Was it possible for luck to change? She waited while Trevor put Marjorie in the backyard, leaning up against her railing and staring up at the setting sun. It really was a perfect night. Something that was totally abnormal for a date in her life.
Trevor walked around the corner, and seeing Megan leaning up against the railing, decided patience was a completely boring virtue.
“Hey,” Trevor said as he walked slowly up the stairs towards Megan. “Remember at dinner when you said all I had to do the next time I wanted to kiss you was ask?”
She narrowed her eyes and held her hands out defensively towards him.
“Trevor, you have got to be kidding me. This isn’t even the end of our first date, and you already want a kiss? Isn’t this a little premature?”
Trevor moved in closer, smiling confidently down into her still narrowed eyes. “You might as well get it over with. This way, you don’t have to kiss me later in front of everyone.”
Megan’s hands dropped momentarily as she tried to figure a way out of the kiss. “Who says I have to kiss you at all? And besides, I really don’t think we should rush—” That was as far as Megan got before Trevor bent down and kissed her soundly on the lips. He pulled back briefly, but then came back for another one when she didn’t push him immediately away. He even ventured to put his arms around her waist. When, a few minutes later, she did break the kiss, her cheeks were as red as apples. She was blushing.
A Trusting Heart Page 10