by M. Malone
Trent nodded his acceptance. Mara accepted a steaming hotdog wrapped in foil. Trent grinned as she took a greedy bite. He knew her love affair with boardwalk food. She appreciated fine cuisine but there would always be a special place in her heart for hot dogs and funnel cakes.
Trent accepted his own hotdog and then handed the vendor a twenty-dollar bill. “Keep the change.”
They walked over the bridge and stood at the rail, looking out over the water. Their arms brushed as they walked and Mara soaked up the casual intimacy. She’d gotten so used to having the right to touch him whenever she wanted. It was petty but she wanted to rub her hands all over him, to erase the image of her friend’s flirty touches.
Trent leaned against the railing, turning so the sun wasn’t directly in his eyes.
"Women respond differently when they know. But I don't want to make it seem like it's just women. Men, too. Suddenly they have a business proposal that they want to run by you. Or they start talking about their brother who lost his job and how he might lose his house."
“Or women giggle like idiots and rub themselves up against you,” Mara interjected before taking another huge bite of her hot dog.
Trent shook his head ruefully. ”Yeah, that tends to happen. I don't want it to seem like I'm made of stone. Of course you'd want to help everyone that you could if possible. But you have no idea how refreshing it is to be around people who have no reason in the world to like you but somehow do anyway. For the last few years, that's what you have given me. Hanging with you and Matt and Jackson and Nick.” He broke off and looked out over the water.
People strolled by on the pathways below and Mara fixed her eyes on them as they passed. People-watching was one of her favorite activities during her lunch break. Jogging mothers pushed strollers that looked as complicated as her car, couples meandered arm-in-arm, as if they had no clear destination in mind. Several boats glided lazily by in the distance. Trent stood silently next to her, his eyes fixed on the horizon. It was clear that his thoughts were far away from what was happening on the crystalline water.
"It's been a gift, this time I've had with all of you. I've just been Trent. Not a Townsend and not the boss' son but just myself. I couldn't have ever guessed how valuable that time would be. Especially now that it’s over.”
“What does that mean?” Fear rose until it felt like it would choke her. As angry as she was, it hadn’t occurred to her until now that they might not work this out. Trent was a part of her and had been since they’d first met. The idea of him just being… gone?
“My father is ill. My brother has taken off. I have to take control of the company temporarily. I have to go back.”
“So, that’s it? I lied to you and now I’m leaving. Is this really how things are going to end?”
“Not if I have anything to say about it.” Trent drew her close and when his lips brushed over hers, she opened up to it, melting against him. When he opened his eyes, they were bright with excitement. “Tell me you don't feel that. You belong to me and you know it. I know you’re angry and you have every right to be but let me show you my world. Come with me to New York.”
Mara looked up at him, trying to read his eyes. He sounded so sincere but then again he’d always sounded like this. Even when he was lying to her. But the truth was, she would never get over this until she understood why.
Why had he hidden this side of his life from her?
He was a rich guy. That was usually something men bragged about, something they used to their advantage. Why would he keep everything about him a secret and make her think he was struggling financially? It didn’t make sense and even though she knew her curiosity was going to lead her into trouble, she couldn’t help it. She wanted to know.
“Okay.”
* * * * *
AS SOON AS Mara pulled into her driveway that evening, Trent got out of his car. He hadn't wanted to give her a chance to change her mind this afternoon, so as soon as she'd agreed to accompany him to New York, he'd left. He'd used the time to arrange the details of their trip.
He’d been scheduled to fly back to New York that evening. Now that Mara was coming with him, he had Gina reschedule things so that he would fly out the next day instead. She would handle everything, including booking a suite in one of his family's hotels for Matt to stay in while he was there.
He wasn't sure how long his friend intended on sticking around but he'd be in perfect comfort for however long he was there. In fact, he should have asked Matt to bring Penny along. As he walked up the driveway to where Mara stood watching him, he made a mental note to suggest the idea.
Mara watching him warily and shifted the tote bag she carried on her shoulder nervously as he got closer. "You didn't have to wait out here. I wouldn't have minded if you used your key."
He followed behind her as she walked up the steps and unlocked the door. "I didn't want to presume. You've given me a chance to make things right and I don't want to screw up again."
She didn't meet his eyes as he passed her, moving through the entryway and into the living room. It was strange to look around the familiar room and think that he might not be living there anymore. So much was riding on this trip to the city. What if he couldn't make her understand? What if she didn't forgive him?
"Why don't I make you some dinner?" He didn't think she'd kick him out immediately but at least if they ate together, he'd get a guaranteed few more hours with her.
"Is that really the best way to get on my good side?"
They laughed together. Trent had to concede on that point. "Probably not."
"I can make us something," Mara finally admitted. "Nothing fancy. I'll need time to get ready. I have to pack and don't I need to book an airline ticket for tomorrow? What if I can't get a flight to join you this late?"
"All of that has been taken care of. You don't need to worry about any details. I'll pick you up in the morning. Matt is coming with us."
Her eyes rounded at that bit of news but she didn't comment on it. "What should I pack? I mean, I'm planning to bring a nice outfit for when I meet your parents but what about the rest of the time?"
"Anything is fine. We'll do some sightseeing and it's still pretty chilly at night there so you'll need a coat. But don't worry about forgetting anything. If you need something you don't have while you're there, we'll just buy another one."
Trent had planned to take her shopping while they were there anyway but figured that was best left as a surprise. Mara loved shopping and if things weren't going well, he hoped that taking her down Fifth Avenue might make up for it.
Mara placed a hand over her stomach and then smiled tightly. "Okay. I wasn't sure if we'd be going out or anything. I don't want to embarrass you."
His stomach dropped. She suddenly wouldn't look at him and he could have sworn he saw the slight sheen of tears in her eyes. Incredibly moved, Trent pulled her closer. When she still wouldn't meet his eyes, he tipped her chin up with one finger. "You could never embarrass me. You are perfect."
He wanted to tell her that his life before her was like walking through a black-and-white movie. He wanted to show her in whatever way he could that she brought color and warmth into his world and kept him from descending back into the loneliness that had haunted him before.
But nothing he could say would express the enormity of what she'd given him just by loving him so he was going to attempt to show her.
"Please don't worry about anything. This trip is for you. Because there's no way you can understand why I left that life until you experience it. The good and the bad."
Her head fell forward against his chest and she snuggled against him, her breath washing against the side of his neck. "I'm going to try to understand." After a final squeeze, she flashed a quick grin. "I'll get started on dinner. It's probably safer if you don't help."
Trent kissed her on the forehead and then allowed her to pull away. "I'll just watch something on television."
Mara disappeared down the ha
llway leading to the bedroom and reappeared a few minutes later wearing a long-sleeved shirt and leggings. He looked up from his perch on the sofa as she passed. Once he heard the familiar rattle of pans, he got up and moved to the hallway. As he pulled his cell phone out of his pocket, he thought of the one detail that he hadn't trusted Gina to handle for him. If he didn't call now, there was a chance it wouldn't be taken care of before they arrived.
And this was something he couldn't leave to chance.
The concierge of his building answered on the first ring. "East Side Towers."
"Walter, it's Trent Townsend. I have a favor to ask."
The other man paused for a moment, betraying his surprise, but when he spoke again his voice didn't convey anything other than consummate professionalism. "Yes, sir. Anything."
Trent knew he meant that. Considering all the headache of moving Avery in and out over the past few months, Walter had more than earned a sizeable Christmas bonus for the year.
"Gina told me that she coordinated with you on relocating Miss Maxwell to my brother's residence. Now that she's gone, I need you to go through my penthouse and take down any personal pictures."
"Sir?"
"I know it's an odd request but it's very important. Leave the artwork on the walls but any pictures featuring my family or friends must be removed."
"Of course, sir. Should I hold them downstairs until your return?"
"Actually, if you would just seal them in a box and put that in my closet, that would be fine."
"Consider it done, sir."
Trent hung up and then wandered back out to the living room. As he passed the entrance to the kitchen, he paused to observe Mara as she was chopping vegetables. He let himself soak up the joy of being in her presence. He ignored the hot shard of guilt at all the things he was still keeping from her. So much was riding on this trip and he couldn't afford any more missteps.
There were some things that she wasn't ready for yet.
Chapter Seven
IF MARA HAD ever doubted that the rich were different her experience the next morning confirmed it. She’d always loved traveling and the excitement and sense of adventure from going somewhere new but hated the hassle of flying.
They'd been running behind and she'd been surprised that the flight hadn't left without them. That was when Trent had finally clued her in that the plane wouldn't leave without them because they were the only passengers. It was a private jet owned by his father's company. That was the moment it all started to sink in.
Her future husband was a wealthy man. Wealthy in a way that was both foreign and intimidating.
After getting over her shock that they had an entire plane to themselves, she’d been further flummoxed to find out they didn’t even need to rush. To her surprise, there were no security lines for the wealthy. Oh no. They’d arrived at a separate part of the airport and then a driver had taken them directly on to the tarmac right next to their plane.
She'd flown plenty of times before but never on a private jet. Mara glanced around the cabin again, taking in the details that she’d previously been too overwhelmed to notice.
The plane wasn’t huge but it was lavishly decorated in a cream and gray color scheme. The seats were all covered in butter soft leather and the carpet on the floor was nicer than the kind she’d purchased when she’d bought her house. Trent had given them a brief tour before takeoff, showing them the bathroom and even a small bedroom. She hadn’t even been aware that you could have a bedroom on a plane at all.
She glanced over at Trent. He sat to her left working on his laptop the way she'd seen him do a million times. But now everything about him looked different. Or maybe it was just that she was finally paying attention to the right things. Her eyes roamed over him greedily, taking in the slightly too long blond hair and the bump on his nose that kept his profile from being too perfect. The face that she loved so much now represented something so frightening that she couldn't even put it into words. The idea that someone you loved could turn out to be a virtual stranger wasn't something that she knew how to process.
He looked up from the screen and blinked when he realized she was staring at him. “Are you okay? If there's anything you need let me know."
She shook her head and went back to her window gazing. It was easier to watch the skies fade away than to look at the man that she wasn't sure she knew anymore. But after a few moments her eyes were drawn back to him. It was impossible not to be curious.
Who was this guy?
The Trent she knew was more comfortable in board shorts and covered with sand than a suit. But this new Trent looked like he'd been born in Hugo Boss. The suit he wore was definitely custom-made and fit him perfectly. Then there was the way that everyone had treated him.
The morning had been a flurry of activity as they tried to get themselves together for traveling. Mara was used to traveling being a hassle. It wasn't so much the packing that she hated but all the minutiae of traveling. Scheduling flights and rental cars and all the other minor details that had to be taken care of. But traveling with Trent was an entirely different story.
With one phone call he had taken care of everything, from where Matt and Penny would stay to how they would get around when they got there. He wore power like a mantle that he could slip on and off. When they'd gotten on the plane everyone had immediately deferred to him. Everything had been "Yes, Mr. Townsend" and "Whatever you need, Mr. Townsend".
And every word spoken made her feel farther and farther away from the man she knew.
Someone tapped on her shoulder so she twisted around in her seat. Matt had moved so he sat directly behind her. His brown eyes searched her face.
"Is everything okay, sis?" He glanced over at Trent with a scowl. It had to be killing him to put their differences aside but he had agreed to do it for her. However it didn't mean he was going to be nice about it. If she knew her brother he was going to take every opportunity to make Trent's life hell.
Not that she blamed him. After all, she wasn't the only one who'd been deceived.
"I'm okay. What about you?" As tough as he was acting she knew he'd been hurt too. To find out his best friend for years had been lying to him had to be a shock at best and a complete betrayal at worst.
"I'm fine, don't worry about me. This is about you. I'm here for you. And if you ever want to get the hell out of here, just say the word."
Mara smiled to herself. Even if nothing else in her life made sense, she could always count on her brother.
She turned around to find Trent watching her. "So where are we going again?"
"I keep a penthouse in the city."
"Of course you do." Mara tried not to feel bitter. He had an entire residence that she'd never seen.
He opened his mouth to say something but she held up her hand. The last thing she wanted was to argue. They'd done enough of that over the past twenty-four hours. He'd wanted a new start and she'd agreed to that. She could only hope that this trip didn't backfire.
Because so far every single new thing she'd learned about him just made him seem farther and farther away.
* * * * *
THEIR EXPERIENCE ONCE the plane landed mirrored boarding except instead of the mildly balmy and humid Virginia air she was used to, they stepped out into a dry heat that made her sinuses tingle. Trent motioned them toward a black town car. Mara climbed in and then looked up in surprise when Matt slid in next to her.
By the tense line of Trent's mouth she realized that the men still weren't speaking. Also that her brother had no intention of leaving her alone with Trent any more than necessary. Penny got in next, giving Mara a reassuring smile.
Mara tried not to gawk as they passed the towering skyscrapers that she'd previously only seen on television. Her hands twisted in her lap. She refused to press her face against the window the way she really wanted to. That was the worst part about how things had been different since she'd found out about Trent's background, this crushing insecurity that he
was somehow "slumming" being with her. At the thought, she sat up straight and looked out the window unashamedly. She hadn't done anything wrong and she was definitely not going to allow any situation to make her feel less than.
They pulled up to the curb next to a tall building and the door next to her opened. The older gray-haired man who had driven them nodded to her pleasantly before moving to the trunk to deal with their bags. Unsure of what to do with herself Mara thumbed the strap of her purse and watched him heft out the luggage. She wasn't so much of a rube that she thought she was supposed to help him but it felt so strange, so foreign to just stand here and be waited on.
"Come on. It's time you saw your new place." Trent took her elbow gently and steered her toward the entrance. Another man in a crisp black suit opened the door for them.
"Welcome back, Mr. Townsend."
Trent smiled, the first true smile she'd seen on him so far. "Thanks, Ernesto. How's the grandbaby?"
"Getting bigger everyday, sir."
"Just wait, she'll be wearing makeup and asking to borrow the car keys before long."
They swept into the building, the older man's chuckles following them. As soon as they entered the lobby, Mara couldn't keep up the sophisticated veneer of boredom she'd been trying so hard to project.
"Oh wow. This is where you live?"
"This is where we live. Or, it's one of the places we might live if you decide you like it."
She could tell that he was trying so hard to make her feel welcome and included but there was nothing in her past that prepared her for the elegance of the marble lobby floor or the diamond bright cut of the crystal in the chandeliers. Even the elevator was some sort of technological marriage of steel and chrome and glass. She held on to Trent's arm and he turned his dazzling smile on her. He seemed so pleased and truthfully she was just hanging on to him because he seemed like the only safe, normal thing in this strange new place.
Trent inserted a white card into a slot in the elevator and then pushed the button for the penthouse. Besides their party, there was only one other person on the elevator, a young woman wearing a tank top and shorts who looked like she'd just been jogging. After she got off, they were alone.