Page 106 of Pity Parade

She hesitates before saying, “Thank you for what you just told everyone.”

“No thanks needed. It was the honest to goodness truth. You are my person, Trina. I’ll do whatever it takes to prove that to you.”

She smiles contentedly. “Thank you. You are an amazing man, Heath Fox.”

I ask her, “Where do you want to go now? Should we head back to Elk Lake, or do you want to see my condo?”

“I want to see your condo,” she says without hesitation. “Because I want to kiss you away from all the curious eyes on us.” I look around to see that we are indeed the focal point of several cameras.

“Let’s take my car. We can leave it there and then Uber back later to get yours.” Leading the way to the restaurant, I ask, “Are you excited about the lodge?”

“I really am,” she says. “I love that we’re encompassing all kinds of good things within it.”

“It’s going to be next to impossible to keep my brother from trying to take over the charity portion,” I tell her.

“You should just let him be in charge,” Trina says.

“Good idea.” We walk the rest of the way to the valet stand quietly before driving the short distance to my place.

As we pull into the underground parking at my condo, Trina says, “I love this building! I went to a party here once and I was ready to move in.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“Um, money? It costs a fortune to live here.”

As we get out of the car to walk to the elevator, Trina stops and says, “I’m ready for that kiss now.”

I reach out and tug her toward me before telling her, “I don’t know what I did to deserve a second chance with you, but I promise you here and now that I will spend my life being eternally grateful.”

My mouth descends onto hers slowly but with determination. Trina Rockwell fits me like a glove. Her breath is my breath. Her heartbeat is my heartbeat. As our lips unite, I can’t help but finally feel that I’m home. It’s been a very long time since that has been my reality and I hope with my whole heart that Trina and I will grow old together. That we’ll have children and grandchildren, and experience all the joys life has to offer.

Several minutes later, Trina pulls back, and asks, “How big is your condo?”

“Done with romance, are you?” I tease.

“Nope, just trying to see if your place is big enough for our ten kids.”

It bodes well for me that she’s entertaining such questions. “Three thousand square feet,” I tell her. “I have one of the larger units.”

She gasps audibly. “Heath, that’s insane. You need to sell right away.”

“I told you I was thinking about it,” I remind her, “but you said you thought I should keep it for when I came into the city.”

“Sell it, Heath. You probably spend more than my mortgage payment every month just in HOA fees.”

I have no idea what her mortgage is, but she’s probably right. When the elevator door opens on the fortieth floor, I tell her, “I think you should see it before you advise me on what to do with it.”

Leading her down the hall, I tell her, “I have a corner unit, so I have lake views from every window.” I’m guessing once Trina sees this with her own eyes, she’s going to want me to keep it. I walk in first and make way for her. She seems almost afraid to come in. “Come on,” I encourage her.

She enters tentatively before releasing a low whistle. “Holy cow. This place is amazing!” She goes to the sliding glass door in the living room and demands, “You have a balcony?”

I can’t help but laugh. “You still want me to sell?”

“Yes! The upkeep on this place must be insane.” Then she unlocks the door and walks outside before deciding, “Don’t sell. Places like this probably never go on the market.”

I take her in my arms and tell her, “You’re giving me mixed signals, Miss Rockwell. Do I sell or don’t I?”

“Can you afford to keep it and not live here full time?”

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