Dating Games(108)

He shoves his hands into his pockets, nervously rocking on his heels. “I, uh… I was in the Village for a meeting with a client and thought I’d stop by to see how you’re doing.”

“How I’m doing?”

I haven’t seen Trevor since my final weekend in the Hamptons at the Farewell Gala, which he attended on Theresa’s arm. And I haven’t spoken to him in even longer, both of us happy to ignore each other all summer. Truthfully, it wasn’t a conscious effort on my part. Julian’s presence consumed me to the point that I ignored everything else…including the ex-boyfriend often standing only a few feet away.

“No plans with Theresa tonight?”

“We broke up around Thanksgiving.” He laughs slightly. “Mom and Dad came to visit, like they do every year.”

“And how did that go?”

“Let’s just say it made me realize how different Theresa and I are.”

“Sorry to hear that.”

He lifts his eyes to mine as he shakes his head. “No, you’re not.”

I part my lips, about to argue with him, but snap my jaw shut. “You’re right. I’m not.”

“I deserve that, especially after the way I handled things.”

Neither one of us says anything for several long seconds, an awkward tension building. I used to feel comfortable around him. This is a man with whom I had no qualms, even sharing all the dirty details of my period…much to his chagrin. Now I don’t know how to act.

“How’s Julian?”

I hold my head high, doing my best to maintain my composure at his question. “We’re not together anymore.”

“I figured as much.”

“You did?” I arch a brow.

“You were both at Sonia’s funeral but didn’t acknowledge each other. I wasn’t aware you were friendly with her.”

“I could say the same about you,” I shoot back, not wanting to discuss the fact that my connection to Sonia is actually through Julian’s alter ego, August Laurent.

“The firm represents her.” He pauses, then corrects, “Represented her.”

All I can do is nod, silence falling between us once more.

“Can I come in?” Trevor finally asks, his eyes imploring me as he hunches his shoulders, trying to shield himself from the rain. “Just for a minute. I just… I just really want to talk to you. If you don’t like what I have to say, I’ll leave and never bother you again. Okay?”

I study him in quiet contemplation. After the way he ended things, I don’t owe him anything. But my curiosity gets the better of me.

“Fine.”

Turning from him, I enter the apartment, the warmth thawing my cold fingers. After shaking the water off his coat, Trevor leaves it in the entryway, then follows me into the living room. I grab the proof copy of the magazine off the coffee table and shove it back into the envelope, keeping the identity of Julian’s alter ego a secret for now.

“Do you know what today is?” Trevor asks.

I scrunch my brows together, wracking my brain, but nothing comes to mind. A few months ago, I would have been able to remember every anniversary we shared. Now those memories have faded.

“December fifteenth?”

“Exactly.” He steps toward me, a heat I haven’t seen in years crossing his expression. “Do you remember what happened on December fifteenth twelve years ago?”

I shrug. “I don’t know.”

“We were at a football game. But not just any football game. It was a momentous game, and not because of any Bowl placement for the Huskers. Something else happened at that game. Do you remember what that was?”

Closing my eyes, I chew on my bottom lip, the memory of the game he’s referring to returning with striking clarity. I can almost hear the roar of the crowd in the stands. Smell the hot dogs and beer. Feel the frigid wind whip against my face.

“You told me you loved me, and not just as a friend.”

When I open my eyes, there’s a smile on Trevor’s mouth. It reminds me of the carefree, spirited person I met my freshman year, not the Trevor he turned into. He’s my Trevor again.

“And do you remember what happened after that?”

“The game went into double overtime. By the time we won, I was so cold. I joked I had hypothermia and the only way to make sure I didn’t perish was by stripping so we were skin to skin.”

“You sure did.” As he continues closing the distance between us, our chests rise and fall in sync. Suddenly, everything about him becomes familiar, simple, easy, like riding a bike. Despite the passing of time, you don’t forget how to hop back on, even after a nasty fall. It may take some time to build up the courage to ride full on again, but you eventually do.

“I didn’t really have hypothermia,” I say in a breathy voice.

“I know. But I would have been an idiot to turn away your offer for some skin-to-skin time.” He adjusts his stance, his hand going to the small of my back and bringing my body flush with his. He lowers his mouth toward mine, the warmth of his breath dancing on my lips. “I was such an idiot to push you away, Evie. I knew it was a mistake, but refused to admit it. I hated seeing you with another man. It drove me crazy to think someone else was enjoying my laughs, my smiles…my lips.”