Page 20 of Perfect Pitch

He gestures for me to sit. “Just tell me about you, Austyn. Let’s start with your name.”

“That’s what you’re interested in? That one is easy—family tradition.”

He quirks a brow. “Somehow I think it’s more involved than that.”

“It is but it’s personal.”

“Austyn, would it help to know something personal about me?”

I relax a bit. “Sure.”

“My last lover left me because I snored too loudly for their preference.”

I try to stifle my laugh. I really do. But my body starts to slide off the couch with the force of my giggles. “Oh my god. There goes saving money. I’m going to need earplugs.”

He flings a wicked grin in my direction. “I had the rooms soundproofed long ago. You’re fine.”

“Good to know.” I right myself before telling him, “There’s a tradition that dates back to my female ancestors being born along the journey they made from Kentucky to Texas, where they eventually settled. No matter where the first female child was born, that’s how her first name was chosen.”

“That’s actually cool.”

I nod. “I have relatives named Memphis, Spring—short for Hot Springs, which is her legal name—”

Trevor guffaws. “Stop. For real?”

“No joke.” Then I hesitate. “Technically, I was born in Kensington. My ancestors founded the city.”

“So, your name should have been Kensington?” He shudders appropriately.

“According to my Uncle Jesse, my mama fought with my father and said I could be named Austyn—the closest major city—or after my father. It was his choice.”

Something in my voice must have given me away. “You’re not close with your father.”

“Never met him.” Saying the words reminds me of my mother’s promise to tell me everything about him after I turned eighteen. Soon. Now that I’m settling in New York, I give myself a reminder to bring up the topic the next time my mother and I have a heart-to-heart.

Trevor and I spend the rest of the afternoon talking. At one point he asks me if I’m hungry before he calls and orders a pizza to be delivered. We put a significant hurting on the deliciousness while watching the sun set over the water before we circle around to discussing the apartment.

“I think it’s fairly safe to say we’re compatible,” Trevor mumbles around a mouthful of pizza.

I chew and nod. “So, are we going to do this?”

I lift a bottle of water to my mouth to take a drink just as he throws out a number. “That would include all utilities, cable, rent, everything.”

“What you’re basically telling me is neither of us would ever have a chance at a place like this if you weren’t loved by your uncle.”

He grins appealingly. “Nope. Not unless you have a few years of rent saved up.”

I think about the check the Freemans handed me last night. I refuse, unless absolutely forced, to dip into the college funds my mother agreed to release. “Nope. At a guess, about eight months’ worth.”

He jostles my shoulder. “Let’s see if we can make this work, Austyn.”

I drop the pizza back into the box and hold out my hand. “Let’s do it.”

“A six-month lease to start, and then we can decide if we’re working after that?” he offers.

“I like that.”

“Great. I’ll send the rental agreement to your agent tomorrow.”

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