Page 28 of Unexpected Arrivals

We were getting ready to leave when Lexi glanced at me and then turned to Trevor. “You know, have you thought about what you are going to do with Devon next weekend for the wedding?”

“Oh, shit!” Trevor muttered. “I didn’t even think about that. I guess I need to find a babysitter.”

I was about to open my mouth and tell him that I might know someone when Trevor turned to me. “Davina, would you be able to watch Devon next weekend while I attend their wedding?”

“Wait, no! You can’t ask Davina to watch Devon,” Lexi said quickly.

“Why not?”

Lexi rolled her eyes. “Because you need a date.”

“I already told you, Lexi, I’m coming alone. Isn’t Clare coming alone, too? We can hang out together.”

I pursed my lips at the mention of another single woman. I had no claim over him, but now that he had a son, shouldn’t he clean up his act?

“Clare has a date,” Lexi said quickly. “A last-minute date, so you shouldn’t come alone.” She turned to me. “You’ll be his date, right?”

“Um, no. I think I prefer Trevor’s idea that I watch Devon instead.”

Trevor grinned. “See, all fixed, and I don’t need a date, Lexi.” He winked at her, and I felt a little bit better about the fact that he was going alone.

I turned away quickly. “Um, I’m going to head back to my place. I’ll meet you at Carol’s in a little while.”

A hand reached out and grabbed my arm. “What’s the address?”

I stared at him. “You don’t even know where she lived?”

He shook his head. “No, I met her places.”

I rolled my eyes. “Why am I not surprised.” I gave him the address, waved goodbye to Lexi and Alex, and hustled out to my car.

At least I’d get a chance to see Devon next week when I babysat him. I frowned as I started my vehicle. Lexi had been trying to get Trevor to invite me as his date. Obviously, I didn’t measure up. My level was babysitter, not date. I sighed; why did it even matter? I wasn’t interested in a man like Trevor Vaughn.

When I got home, I dropped my laptop bag inside the door and went straight to my bedroom. I quickly grabbed a change of clothes and hurried into the shower. I hadn’t had one in two days, and while I knew I would possibly get sweaty moving things around with Trevor, I didn’t want to be dirty and smelly. Not that he would even notice, but I would.

I received a text from him as I got dressed and told him I’d be up in a minute. Carol’s apartment was one floor above mine. I pulled my hair back in my standard messy bun and shoved my feet into sneakers before grabbing my phone and the keys to her apartment.

My stomach rolled as I climbed the steps. Not because I was going to be seeing Trevor again, but because I was going to be stepping into Carol’s place. How many nights had we kicked back on her couch, drank a bottle of wine or something stronger, and watched movies or talked about life? Too many to count.

I turned the corner onto her floor and found Trevor leaning back against the wall staring at her door. He must have heard me because he quickly turned and straightened. His gaze drifted down my body and back up, and I swear that there was something like approval in his eyes as they landed on mine. What did he approve of?

“Sorry,” I said softly as I passed him and went to unlock the door. I turned the key and then paused, preparing myself for the onslaught of memories that would come once I opened it.

“You okay?” Trevor asked quietly from right behind me.

I nodded. “Yeah, I’m just—”

His hand touched my shoulder, and he squeezed. “It’s okay, I get it. Take the time that you need.”

I glanced back at him and saw a true understanding in his gaze. It told me something about him. Told me he understood loss, and that made me a little sad to know.

I inhaled and then pushed open the door, leaving it open behind me as I forced myself to walk into her small living room and look around. I was instantly bombarded with memories. Little blips of time: sounds, words, images all collided with one another trying to get their ten seconds in the spotlight. It made me want to drop to my knees and scream! My eyes filled with tears, and then I felt an arm wrap around my back. A solid warm body stood beside me, and I leaned into it as tears slowly slid down my cheeks.

The pillows that we’d hit each other with, the book that I’d given her for her birthday, the new curtains that we’d hung together, the bag of her favorite candy sitting on the coffee table. All of it screamed at me, and my knees went weak. I felt my body shift, and then strong arms were around me again, holding me tightly as I burrowed into the fabric in front of me. Soft words were spoken, but I only heard Carol’s voice, her laughter, her anguish, her dreams, and her fears.

I sobbed for the second time that day, and as I began to get ahold of myself, I felt something on my head. Had he just kissed my forehead? What was he saying?

“It’s okay, Davina, I got you. I’m right here, sweetheart, for as long as you need me. Let it out, baby, let it out.”

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