Page 43 of Make You Mine

I grab the phone, chuckling. “Miss me already?”

“You know I do. But actually, I called with an invitation.”

That piques my interest. “Oh yeah…where to?”

“My brother extended the invite to Masqued this Friday for their annual Halloween party.”

The place where it all started.

“That sounds fun. But doesn’t Trevor only get one invite?”

“Nah, this is one of the events that extends to non-members, but it's RSVP and invite only. So, if you want, I was going to have him include us in his headcount.”

My brain is already flowing with the perfect outfit coming together, giddiness making me jittery. “If Luca is good with taking me, then I’d love to go with you…but only on one condition.”

“Uh huh, and what’s that?” he asks playfully.

“It involves you in face paint and green hair. Just wear a shirt this time. I don’t want to fight the ladies off,” I tease.

I can picture the smirk on his face as he says, “I’ll see what I can do, Doll.”

“Okay, we are pulling up. I know Nori is going to be excited to see me. Luca said he was whining this morning, walking around and looking for me.”

“It will be the three of us soon enough.” The sound of his voice as he makes that declaration is filled with a longing I’m all too familiar with. My stomach swoops.

I wishsoon enoughwas today, but until then, I will enjoy the next few weeks of freedom without Junior.

When we’re parked, I run into the house, up to my sewing room, where I know Nori is snuggling on his plush throne.

“Hey, big boy,” I say, plopping down on the floor right where he greets me with kisses. “I missed you too, buddy. I thinkLuca is starting to like you a lot. We may have to get you a girlfriend and let her live with him. What do you think?”

He buries his head into my lap, enjoying my baby talk. We have had many one-sided conversations over the years, and I wouldn’t trade him for the world.

“I’m going to get us out of here, boy.” I rub his head, moving to a stack of sewing material I have in the corner of the room. Digging into the bottom box, I pull out the black flip phone in the bottom. I have checked it every day for the last few months, but only recently has the text started becoming more frequent.

There are two messages waiting:

(212) 555-3667

I need to see you this week.

(212) 555-3667

Call me when you are alone, I have an idea.

Fourteen

I’m beyond excited about tonight’s festivities at Masqued. It’s the perfect opportunity to be in disguise and have some fun out in public with Trent without the worry of being recognized.

Needless to say, this whole week, I’ve been piecing together my ensemble. I haven’t shared any of the details yet with Trent; I want him to be surprised when he sees me. I'm just finishing up the last of the color on my hair, when my phone dings with a text. I answer immediately when I see who it is.

Tig

Hey babe

Me

Heyy booo!

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