Page 60 of Finding Her Leading Man

“It’s amazing how they both turned out so well.”

Samantha kept her thoughts about Trevor to herself.

Because she’d figured out on the way home what she’d missed in the hotel. He wasn’t afraid of failing to fulfill his commitment to Grayson the way she’d thought. She’d assumed that he was worried about spreading himself too thin professionally.

That wasn’t it at all.

Trevor didn’t know what to do with her. He’d leave, he’d have to, and that would put her exactly where he’d been as a child. Waiting. This time, she’d be waiting on him to come back.

The subtle ways he’d avoided directly discussing anything past the wedding had her alarm bells sounding. But then, in the next breath, he’d managed to say something or look at her with…love?

It wasn’t impossible to fall in love this quick. She was well on her way to acknowledging how she felt about him in return. But for Trevor, it was like he’d give in,feel,and in the next moment, emotionally run away.

Could she leave in the end without breaking apart again? Would she hide the way she felt, what she wanted, to give him the peace he needed? Trevor, halfway around the world, wanting to get back to her only out of pity tasted sour.

She finished her wine, wishing it would drown out the questions. Could she do it? After sleeping with him, watching him, understanding his past, could she go back to New York and simply forget?

Trevor tossed his hand in the air. He turned and stalked toward her and Cameron.

“Uh-oh. That’s not good if he lost his patience. Shit.” Cameron ran a hand over his closely shaved head. “Now Addie looks like she’s going to cry. Damn, her parents are a piece of work.”

Trevor’s scowl turned his face into sharp angles. His eyes darker. The intensity was the same she’d seen that one time in his room. She hated the situation for him, but geez, he was sexy.

He crossed his arms. “I’d like to apologize for them,” Trevor said to Cameron. “I’m glad your parents haven’t arrived yet. Maybe Dad will settle down before then. I think his foul look already scared away half your friends.”

Cameron snorted and drank his beer. “Naw. He’s fine. They’ll judge him, for sure, but the impression won’t transfer over to you or Addie. We all have parents with odd quirks.”

Samantha stepped closer to Trevor, sliding her hand along his lower back and offering him some support. “I guess you wish we were back in New York at the hotel still?”

He scrubbed a hand over his face before settling the dark, brooding look on her. Heated with more than anger now. “You have no idea.”

Cameron chuckled into his beer. “I’m glad you managed to tear yourself away for the party.”

It had been hard to come back. Hard to leave behind a little bubble of happiness for the first time in a long time and step into drama. It wasn’t her drama, but she felt for them.

Addie started gesturing around the room. And then she stomped her foot.

“Shit,” Trevor murmured.

As Cameron said, “Damn.”

They looked at each other. “I feel like we should draw straws,” Trevor said. “Although, I am handing her over to you tomorrow.”

“If I separate Addie from them, can you handle your parents?” Cameron grimaced when whatever Addie said made her dad snap his gaze toward Trevor. “Gah! Sorry. I feel like I’m sending you into battle, but I don’t want her upset. Not today.”

Samantha stepped up to Trevor and cupped his cheek. “Let’s go back over there and give Addie a break.”

“This isn’t your fight, Sam.”

She rose up, kissing him lightly. “No. It’s yours.” Which meant she’d be there with him.

She was in love with him. When had it shifted? It wasn’t the sex. It was the intimacy that naturally came afterward. The personal fears and worries that Trevor had discussed on the way back. The vulnerable man. The man who would do anything for Addie and her.Thatwas who she’d fallen in love with.

That meant showing him that being together was worth it.

Worth the risk.

Worth trying to adapt. He’d had patience with her. She’d try to give him the same.

---