by M. Malone
He'd thought he'd live forever covered in the stain.
"I was the last person who saw her alive. The police were all over me afterward. They wanted to know everything we'd done. Whether we'd fought. But there was no evidence of a struggle so my family's lawyers kept them away from me after that. Somehow my father managed to keep things quiet in the press. But then her autopsy revealed she'd been three months pregnant when she died. And suddenly her earlier comments about me being just a shadow of who she really wanted made sense."
"She was pregnant?" Mara's eyes softened as she realized what that meant.
"James eventually admitted that it was his."
"How awful. Not just for her family but also for you. She sounds like she was very troubled and your brother used that to his advantage. How could they both betray you like that?"
"My brother twists people. He leaves heartache and mayhem behind wherever he goes. He screwed with Tia's head and now he's doing the same thing to Avery. It doesn't even occur to him the damage he's doing. Or he doesn’t care. But either way, he hurts people. It's just what he does."
"None of that is your fault. You couldn't have known what would happen that night. There was nothing that you could have done."
"I know. But that doesn't stop me from wishing that there was."
He shifted so he could see her face. She rubbed his chest in slow, supportive circles while he talked.
"As much as I've resented Avery’s recent neediness, I made a promise to always be there for her. We're both victims of loving people who are completely wrong for us. I understood what she's going through because that was once my story, too."
"I have to admit, knowing about all this definitely helps me see her differently. I feel a little sorry for her. As long as she's in love with your brother, she'll never know what it's like to be appreciated and cherished. The way you love me."
Trent moved and then pulled her into his lap. She curled up against his chest and let out a soft sigh.
"A lifetime of loving James has twisted her into someone that I barely recognize. But I can't abandon her. After all, a lifetime of loving my brother has done nearly the same to me."
Chapter Twelve
THE NEXT MORNING, Trent woke feeling lighter than he had in months. They’d talked long into the night, sharing their dreams and fears. It was the first time Trent had told her about what it was like to grow up under his father’s thumb. She'd shared the unique insecurities that developed from being raised by an incredibly beautiful mother.
There were so many obstacles they’d have to jump through to be completely open to each other but he was starting to believe it was possible.
"We're going out," Trent announced as soon as they were done with breakfast.
Mara looked up from her perch on the couch. She still wore one of his t-shirts and her hair was uncombed. Neither of them had showered yet.
"Out? I thought you said you didn't have to work today?"
"I don't. We are going out so I can show you New York. And not the bullshit ten-dollar tour recommended for tourists. I want to show you all the things about New York that I missed when I moved away. And it definitely wasn't the Statue of Liberty."
Mara stood, her eyes gleaming. "Now you have me intrigued. Give me ten minutes."
When he turned to follow her, she put a hand squarely in the middle of his chest. "Oh no. You have to stay here. If you come with me, we'll get sidetracked and never get out of the shower."
"What?" Disappointed, his mind already on her slick curves covered in suds, he allowed her to push him back a few steps.
"I'll be back." She danced away, disappearing into the room. Trent used the time to make a list on his cell phone of the places he wanted to take her. When he looked up next, she was standing in front of him in a white tank top and jeans.
He raced through his own shower, yanking on an old faded blue t-shirt and jeans. He met Mara in the living room and offered her his hand. Once the elevator hit the lobby, he pulled her to the front doors. Ernesto waved at them as he opened the doors.
Mara looked at him in confusion when he started walking.
"No driver?"
He grinned. "No driver. When I was in high school I used to ditch my driver all the time and take the L because we thought it was cool. My father would have had a heart attack back then if he'd known about it."
"Is that what we're going to do today?"
He shook his head. "No, we're going to compromise and take a cab today. I want you to be able to see everything."
He put up his hand and a cab pulled over immediately. Mara climbed in and then grabbed on to Trent with a squeal as the cabbie pulled out wildly into traffic. He pointed out Fifth Avenue as they passed and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
"Are we going to the museum?" She twisted in her seat as they passed the entrance.
"Not today."
When the cabbie pulled over at the curb, Trent handed over a few bills and hopped out. Mara followed him, looking around in confusion.
"Where are we?"
"Central Park." He led her across the grass to a bench. He squatted next to the bench and peered at the side of it. "Yeah, this is the right one. Tia, Avery and I used to hang out in the park all the time. I was sitting here the first time I told Tia I loved her. I was also sitting here when I made the decision to leave New York. I scratched my name on the side here."
Mara leaned over to look at the faint scratches. When she looked up at him, he could see that she got it. That he was trying to show her the places that had changed the course of his life.
"I like this bench." She sat back and closed her eyes, tilting her face up to the sun. "I like it more knowing it helped lead you to me."
"Me too." He looked around. There was always activity in the park. An older man on the next bench read a tattered paperback, his cane resting against his leg. A woman jogged by, the white cords of her earphones dangling down her back. The wind fluttered through the trees.
"It's a good place for thinking. You can be surrounded by people but yet be all alone."
Mara squeezed his hand. "I can see how that could be very comforting when you don't want to be at home."
A group of kids ran by screaming and the sudden noise broke the tension. "Okay maybe I take back the part about comfort."
Trent snorted. "Just wait until we have kids. We'll probably have eardrums of steel. According to my mother, I was a screamer."
Mara covered her mouth with her hand. "Great. That's something to look forward to."
"It is. I'm looking forward to all of it." He gestured around the park. "I made the decision to leave New York because I wanted a chance to put everything that happened behind me. But I was just existing. Putting one foot in front of the other, day after day. You were the one who truly brought me back to life."
"I'm glad. That's all I want to do. Because you make me happy, too."
A group of fat, gray pigeons waddled by, cooing loudly. "I'm pretty sure these are the same pigeons that were here when we used to come here, too. Or I guess it must be their grandchildren by now. Damn if that isn't a depressing thought."
"No depressing thoughts allowed today. I want to see more of the places you used to go when you were younger. I want to see it all."
He stood too, tucking her beneath his arm.
"Trent! Hey, Trent!"
Movement to his left caught his attention. A girl in a long, flowing skirt waved her hands back and forth. She was standing next to a bare-chested man with long, tangled hair who sat in front of an easel. Trent squinted and then whipped around when he recognized her. Avery had mentioned one time that their old friend Trix was posing for an artist but she was supposed to be living in Portugal not here. He tucked his head and walked faster.
"Trent! Wait!"
Mara finally heard the commotion and looked over shoulder. "Is someone calling you?"
Trent increased his pace. "Yeah, it's a girl I knew in high school. She was a bit of a gossip an
d not the nicest person. I don't really want to get caught and be forced to make conversation with someone I didn't even like, you know?"
Mara walked faster, trying to keep pace with his stride. "I get that. There are definitely some people I plan to avoid at my ten-year reunion. If I even go."
A cab was letting out a fare right in front of them as they left the West park entrance and Trent let out a small huff of relief as Mara climbed in. He glanced over his shoulder one last time. Trix was still staring at him, her head tilted to the side. He waved and then ducked his head and slid in after Mara.
He gave the address for the penthouse, since they could easily walk to the other places he wanted to show her. They pulled out into traffic and Mara rested her head on his shoulder.
"I like this kind of sightseeing. If I'd just toured the museums and eaten at some trendy restaurant, it would have been just like every other vacation experience I've ever had. But people watching in Central Park is something I'll never forget. Thank you for sharing that with me."
He turned his head, brushing a kiss over her lips. She sighed, the soft sound a hum in her chest that speared straight through him.
"Where to now?" she whispered.
He looked out the window at the rush of people and cars flashing by. "Well, I can show you the little boutique where Avery got busted for shoplifting one summer. Then we're going for bagels. Real bagels, not those cardboard things you guys eat for breakfast. And then I think I'll take you home and show you a few things you've seen before."
Her eyes heated. "Private tour?" The hand that rested against his thigh inched higher until she cupped him through his jeans.
He sucked in a sudden, sharp breath. "Very private. And I'm thinking bagels are more of a breakfast thing so we can go straight home."
Her laughter rang out, filling up all the empty holes in his heart.
* * * * *
TRENT HAD ORDERED a grocery delivery, so Mara spent the majority of the afternoon prepping the artichoke-stuffed chicken breasts she planned to serve for dinner that night. Matt and Penny were coming over. They'd been on a whirlwind tour of the city the past two days, including an exclusive invitation-only rehearsal for a new Broadway show. Trent had even arranged for them to meet the actors afterward.
She'd just gotten comfortable on the couch with a magazine when Trent approached, one hand covering the mouthpiece of the cordless handset.
“It’s your mom,” Trent whispered.
Mara let her head fall back into the cushions. Although she'd sent her parents a message that she was traveling with Trent, she hadn't filled them in on the true nature of the trip. In her mother’s world everything was about finding a husband. It didn’t matter how well she’d done in college or whether she liked her job. The only letters attached to her name that would impress Carolina Simmons were the all important M.R.S. in the front.
And Mara had so far proven herself not up to the task of getting her man to commit. At least that was her mother’s point of view. Carolina had no idea that the real reason they hadn’t gotten married yet was because Mara wasn’t ready. And if she found out that her future son-in-law was a modern day Midas then there would no forces on earth that would stop her from flying up to visit and badgering Mara into planning the wedding.
She held out her hand for the phone. “Hi mom.”
“I’ve been calling and calling you all day. Where have you been, mija?”
Mara rolled her eyes but it was in affectionate exasperation. Her mother had called once and she hadn't even left a message.
“I was cooking dinner, Mom. Matt and Penny are coming over tonight so I had a lot to do.”
Her mother made a soft harrumphing sound but sounded partially appeased. “That’s good. I’m glad you’re feeding your brother. Penny is a sweet girl but I don’t know about her cooking.”
“Her cooking is fine, Mom. Not every woman needs to cook anyway. Matt is hardly helpless.” It was useless to try to bring her mother around to modern thinking about family life but for some reason she couldn’t stop trying.
“I suppose so. Anyway, I found the perfect wedding dress for you. I tried to join that site online for the pictures but I can’t figure it out. So your cousin, Manuela, is going to put the picture online so you can see it.”
“Great,” Mara responded, hoping she’d mustered enough enthusiasm in the tone of her voice. It was doubtful that she’d like anything her mother had chosen but she really did appreciate that her mother was trying to help out.
“Have you decided on your colors yet? We really need to think about the bridesmaids’ dresses. And how many attendants you are going to have. You have to ask your cousin, Maria.”
“I do? Mom, I haven’t even seen that side of the family in years. I already have to ask Trent’s sister.”
“He has a sister? I didn’t realize. I’m sure you told me. This is silly that we’re trying to do this long distance. Perhaps your father and I should come visit for a while. We still haven’t met Trent’s family.”
“Things are really crazy right now but maybe we should plan a trip soon. It would be nice to get both families together.”
She turned to see Trent motioning to her. "Hold on, Mom."
Trent leaned over and whispered, "Invite them to come visit."
"What, now?"
Trent raised his eyebrows. "No time like the present, right?"
She took her hand off the receiver of the phone. "Um, actually Mom why don't you and Dad fly up to visit us and meet Trent's parents tomorrow. We'll make all the travel arrangements for you."
"Oh Marina, you don't need to go to such trouble. Your father has so many of those mileage points."
Mara sighed. This was not the kind of conversation that she wanted to have over the phone. "Actually, Mom, Trent's parents have a company plane. He's going to send it down to pick you up. So don't worry about anything, okay?"
Her mother was quiet for a moment. "Oh my, that's very generous. Tell him thank you so much. I am looking forward to this."
Suddenly overcome with emotion and feeling very homesick, Mara clutched the phone tighter. "I am, too. I miss you guys."
“We miss you, too but there is no reason to be sad, Marina. You have a good man who will be a good provider. And to think I was so worried about you. Now your brother, that’s who I need to worry about.”
Mara tuned out her mom’s voice as she worried aloud about her brother’s relationship with Penny and whether they’d ever start their wedding planning. Even after they hung up and Trent returned, cuddling her against his side as he watched television, her mind was on one thing.
How lucky she was to have found a man who was excited to marry her. They'd come through the hard parts and now they were safe on the other side. But as she snuggled closer to Trent’s side, she had to ignore the nagging feeling that fairy tales didn't last.
* * * * *
"PENNY HAS TO know for sure how much I love her now. I sat through the entire show. And they were singing the entire time."
Trent laughed along with the rest of the table as Matt continued telling the story of his first experience at a Broadway show. He glanced over at Mara, who looked completely relaxed and happy for the first time in days. Even though Matt had come along originally because he didn't trust Trent, he was actually glad he'd been able to come with them. Family was a huge part of what Mara needed to feel happy and secure. Having her brother and Penny there went a long way toward showing her that their way of life didn't have to change because of where he came from. In fact, they could have all the things they had now and more if she'd allow it.
Penny leaned over and kissed Matt on the cheek. "He's pretending like it was awful but he had fun. I know he did because he went backstage with me."
When he'd asked Gina to set up a tour of the city for his friends, she'd outdone herself by finagling an invitation to a private rehearsal for a show that wouldn't open for weeks. It was a joy to be able to use his influence to make his frie
nd's time in the city memorable and fun.
Matt shoved a piece of artichoke in his mouth. "Whatever. It was people singing for two hours. I would have gone anywhere you wanted after that was over."
Trent took a sip of his beer and leaned closer to Matt, whispering loudly enough for the entire table to hear. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone that you actually liked it."
Matt scowled. "Hardly. The best part of the day is coming back to that fancy hotel. Thanks for putting us up in such a swank room, by the way."
"It's nothing." Trent took another sip of his beer, suddenly self-conscious. Normally he would have turned the conversation to another topic but then he stopped himself. That was exactly what had hurt his friends before, shutting them out of certain areas of his life just because he wasn't sure of their reactions. If he was asking Matt to trust him not to hurt Mara, then he needed to extend that same trust back. In all areas.
"It's really nothing and I mean that literally. My family owns that hotel."
Surprise flashed through Matt's eyes. "Oh yeah?"
He peeled at the label on his beer, suddenly awkward since the entire table had grown silent. "Yeah, Castle Towers is one of our flagship properties. It was one of the first hotels my grandfather built."
"It's a beautiful hotel," Penny said.
Matt picked up his fork again. "Cool. Well if you own it then maybe you can put bigger televisions in those rooms. And free Wi-Fi wouldn't hurt either."
Penny gasped and swatted Matt on the arm. "Matt! He's just joking. Everything in that room is perfect."
Trent laughed, glad that they could talk without any lingering awkwardness. It had been one of the things he was most worried about, that he'd lose the easy camaraderie they'd developed over the years and their friendship would devolve into a series of stiff encounters. But if they could joke about the service at a hotel his family owned, then that bode well for the future.
"I'll be sure to tell my father all of your suggestions. Not that he ever listens to me but for the record, I agree with you completely."