Winning Her Forever

When they reached Magnolia Avenue, which led west to downtown Ocean Avenue, Bay Point’s version of Main Street, Trent hooked a left and continued east. The road and the area was unfamiliar territory to Sonya, but she felt perfectly safe with Trent.

Tiny stars were just beginning to pop in the twilight sky as they rode silently through the moist autumn air. She wanted to open the flap of her helmet to smell the fresh air, but she didn’t dare let go of Trent.

What does a man think about when he’s totally alone? Wearing his helmet made her feel close to him, even though his thoughts and feelings were unknown to her. She was glad to have it.

About ten minutes later, they turned onto a gravel driveway. The roadside bar had no sign. Motorcycles and pickup trucks cluttered the parking lot. In the windows were colorful neon images of a martini glass, a bottle of champagne with the cork exploding and a frothy mug of beer.

In spite of the place’s quirky appearance, Sonya’s anticipation grew as Trent angled his cycle into a space. Before she knew what was happening, he was off the bike, and she took his hand as he assisted her.

She removed her helmet, handed it to him, and he put them both in the case and locked it.

She brushed her fingers through her flattened curls to bring them back to life.

The front door of the bar opened, and a man half walked, half stumbled out on the raucous notes of a classic rock tune from a jukebox.

He held the door open for the couple. “Enter, beautiful ones!”

Sonya blushed. Although she appreciated the compliment, the guy was obviously drunk.

“Thanks, man,” Trent said, a smile on his face. “Do you need a ride home?”

“Nope. Rocky took my keys and called me a cab.”

Trent patted the guy on the shoulder. “Good. Enjoy the rest of your evening.”

They stepped over the threshold and heads turned.

“Hey, Rocky, got a table for two weary travelers?”

The bartender nodded and pointed to a dark corner. Many in the attractive, diverse crowd shouted hello and waved in their direction as they walked to the back of the restaurant.

Sonya nudged his elbow and he leaned in so close she could smell his aftershave. “Do you know everyone here?”

He put his arm around her as they shuffled through a glut of people dancing. “No, but they know me, apparently.”

Sonya wasn’t sure if that was good or bad. Could it have to do with him being a so-called heartbreaker? She made a mental note to ask him later.

Trent pulled out one of the old bentwood chairs so that she could be seated first, impressing her with his old-school chivalry. The table was scarred with a variety of initials carved into the polished wood, and a couple of quotes that made her cheeks get hot.

“Are you sure we’re going to get out of here alive?” she asked, only half joking.

“You are perfectly safe here with me. I got you here, didn’t I?”

She arched a brow and folded her arms.

“I didn’t have much choice, did I?”

He reached over and lifted her chin with the pad of his thumb.

“Yes, you did. And in my opinion, you chose wisely.”

A waitress came by and dropped off a couple of menus and two waters, heavy on the ice.

Trent sat back in his seat as the woman stood there pen in hand. “Everything is good here, but I prefer the veggie burger and fries. Sound good?”

Sonya made a point to peruse the selections, even though his choices were not unlike something she’d choose for herself on a Friday night of fun when she didn’t have a performance.

Before she could nod in agreement, Trent gave the waitress their orders and Sonya reluctantly gave up her menu.

When they were alone, Trent frowned, as if he’d just realized his mistake. “I’m sorry. I should have given you more time.”

Sonya tapped one finger on her lips. “Let me guess. You’re the kind of guy who acts first and begs forgiveness later.”

“Bingo. Would you call that being arrogant or bold?”

“Will I get an F if I tell the truth?”

“No, but will it make you feel better if I told you this was the first time I’ve ever taught a class? I’m making this up as I go along. You won’t tell, will you?”

She shook her head. “I guess we’ve both had a rough first day.”

“I do want to thank you for suggesting the hardware store field trip. It really makes sense.”

“You’re welcome.”

An attractive man in a green-and-white button-down shirt and blue jeans stopped by their table. Without asking, he dropped in the space next to Sonya and turned toward her.

“Excuse me, beautiful. I don’t mean to intrude, but I’ve got an important question for your man.”

Before speaking, he’d taken a second to wave his left hand, the one bearing his gold wedding band, in front of her face. In her opinion, he was either very devoted to his wife, or feeling guilty for cheating.

Her eyes caught Trent’s and he gave a rueful shake of his head as he introduced them.

“Don’t mind this clown, Sonya. Dario is an old buddy of mine that I allow to tread on my last nerve,” Trent replied good-naturedly.

“When are you going to lower the prices on those homes in that new development of yours, Waterson, so that guys like me can afford them? I’m tired of my wife nagging me about it.”

Dario’s face registered no emotion, so Sonya couldn’t tell if he was joking or serious.

Trent, on the other hand, seemed as uncomfortable as she had been when she’d first walked into the bar, like a stranger among friends.

“How much do the homes go for?” she asked.

“They start at a million and go up from there,” Trent replied in a nonchalant tone.

“The base price of a Waterson home gets you four walls, a doorbell and that’s about it,” Dario replied.

Trent leaned back in his chair and shrugged his shoulders. “Welcome to the world of custom homes. Everything is an add-on.”

Though Trent’s words sounded good, his friend didn’t appear convinced. In fact, he looked even angrier.

“You know that I don’t set the prices. My brother and my father do. I just build the houses to spec, on budget and on time.”

“You’re starting to sound like a salesperson. You know I’ll never be able to buy one of your mega mansions, especially now.”

Dario slammed one fist on the table and she jumped. A trickle of sweat ran down her spine as bad memories flooded her brain.

The tables were very close together, and Dario was blocking her only way out. The sense that she was trapped made her light-headed, and she knew she needed some fresh air right away.

She braced her right hand on the table and tried to stand up. “Excuse me, please.”

Trent’s palm closed over her hand, and she hitched in a breath. The warmth from his skin forced her to concentrate on his touch, instead of her panic. He mouthed the words, It’s okay, motioning with his chin for her to sit back down, so she did.

Trent leaned in close and lowered his voice. “I’m sorry you were laid off from your job recently, but I’m a regular guy, just like you.”

Dario folded his arms. “Who are you trying to convince? Me or you?”

Trent caught Sonya’s eye before speaking.

“Don’t go spreading this around town, but I believe we’re looking into building homes with a lower price point. If that happens, you’ll be the first to know. We’ll be hiring local workers.”

Trent’s words diffused the tense situation, and the men shook hands. Dario tipped an imaginary hat toward Sonya and then left.

“Was that guy a friend or an enemy?”

Trent glanced over at the bar, where Dario saluted him with a full mug of beer, and back at her.

“I wish I knew.”

“So guys have frenemies, too?” she chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.

“Yeah.” He paused. “Can I ask you a question? You nearly hit the ceiling when he pounded on the table. I’m sorry that Dario’s actions startled you.”

He paused a beat, as if he expected her to explain.

“It just surprised me, that’s all.”

She didn’t want Trent to think she was being overly sensitive, and it was too soon to talk about the reasons for her reactions.

She cupped her hand over her mouth and faked a yawn. “He definitely woke me up.”

“I think there’s more, but I’m going to let it go for now. Anyway, I’m sorry for the interruption. My brother makes me a lot of money, but he also causes me a lot of trouble. He’s not the easiest man to like, or to defend.”

“Aren’t you a co-owner?”

“My father gave us equal control, but I’m more comfortable in a bulldozer than in the boardroom.”

Sonya felt that invisible jolt inside when one connected with a kindred spirit.

She’d felt the same way when she was a ballerina. She didn’t want to be bothered with the business side of things; she just wanted to dance.

“Are you really going to build more affordable housing?”

Trent folded his arms and rested them on the table.

“Let me put it to you this way. I think we should. But that doesn’t mean we will. The only thing my father and brother care about is making money.”

“And what about you?” she asked. “What do you care about?”

“Building custom homes that allow families to live their lives in a safe, secure community.”

“Sounds like a viable mission statement.”

“The difference is that I believe it and work it every day.”

“Maybe I’ll get to meet your brother one day.”

“No, you won’t. I want to keep you all to myself.”

“Now who is being selfish?” she teased back.

“Do you have any brothers or sisters?” he asked.

She took a sip of beer. “I’m an only child.”

“Are you a little emperor?” he teased, referring to the stereotype that only children were selfish because they had no siblings and never learned to share.

“No, but I’m the master of my own destiny.”

“And what do you see in your future?”

She tapped her index finger on her lips. His question took her by surprise. Since high school, she’d had her life mapped out. Her plan had been to graduate from college, audition for a major dance organization, be accepted and spend the rest of her life onstage, retire early and then teach.

Somewhere along the way, as reoccurring injuries kept her sidelined, causing her to lose some key roles, she was forced to face a new reality. She knew that audiences were fickle, but didn’t know that they could make or break a season. Many of her friends had gone on to other careers, because being a dancer simply wasn’t sustainable. She never thought she’d be one of them, but here she was, back in Bay Point, living in her father’s house.

“Let me see. I’d like to pass your class and get home in one piece, does that count?”

“I have it on good authority that both will come true.”

“Are you a magic genie?”

He laughed. “No, just a man who has complete confidence.”

After they finished their meal, Sonya excused herself to use the restroom while Trent paid the check. Outside, she gave him directions to her home. When he tried to help her with the helmet, she nudged his hand away.

“I think I can do this by myself now.”

He shrugged his shoulders. “Suit yourself.”

Sonya noted the hint of disappointment in his voice and figured that a man with his reputation wasn’t used to having a woman say no. She wasn’t helpless, just confused about all the feelings swirling inside of her.

When they arrived, she got off the motorcycle and handed him the helmet.

His eyes scanned over her house. “You’ve got a couple of shingles missing off your roof.”

She followed his gaze, wondering how he’d spotted them, as she hadn’t seen them before.

“I actually need to have the entire house inspected—inside and out.”

“I can give you a few names to call, if you’d like.”

“I’d appreciate that. Thanks for the ride, and for the dinner.”

“It was my pleasure. When can I see you again?”

“Next week. Outside the hardware store, remember?”

He winked. “You’re lucky I’m a very patient man.”

As she watched him drive away into the night, she murmured, “You’re going to be waiting a while.”

As long as she kept this gorgeous man at arm’s length, she could continue to figure out how she was going to live the rest of her life. Not as a dancer on a stage, but like a regular person.

No applause, no curtain calls and no encores.

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