Page 131 of Indecent Ventures

A few minutes later, I see Trevor and Cassandra’s car pull into my driveway. I poke my head into the living room. Luke and Rose are engrossed in a board game.

“Bye, baby. Be good.”

He doesn’t even lift his head. “Bye, Mama.”

I’m not sure what’s more heartbreaking, leaving him in tears screaming for me or the fact that he doesn’t appear to care that I’m leaving.

I walk outside and get into the back seat of their car. Cassandra turns back toward me. “How bad was he?”

I shake my head. “Not a single tear. The babysitter is very pretty, and Luke was immediately taken with her. He didn’t even notice me leaving.”

Trevor and Cassandra both start laughing. Trevor asks, “Did he compliment her and then find a way to touch her?”

“Yes. Why do you know that?”

I see his smirk in the rearview mirror. “I may have taught him a few things about how to handle the ladies. He’s a handsome boy. The girls already are drawn to him. He asked me for a little guidance.”

I’m in shock. “Trevor, he’s three.”

Trevor just continues smirking. “It’s never too early to learn how to treat a lady.”

Cassandra looks me up and down. “You look hot. Are you hoping to get laid tonight? Poor Joseph doesn’t know what he’s missing.”

My sister has zero filter and will say anything to anyone. Her husband might be twenty-four years her junior, but he’s the exact same way. The two of them together bring nuclear levels of crazy.

“Just keeping my options open.”

She looks me up and down again. “You don’t look like you’ve been fucked properly in a while. I guess Joseph isn’t getting the job done. You should find someone else.”

My sister also has an amazing gift for knowing when I am and am not getting laid. Unfortunately, it’s usually the latter.

I roll my eyes and say nothing as we make the short drive to the hotel. The party is for one of the daughters of Cassandra’s longtime best friend, Darian. They were college roommates. Darian’s three adult daughters consider Cassandra family, calling her Aunt Cass.

Cassandra is twenty years older than me. We share a father, who we both resemble. She had no relationship with him, and he passed when I was quite young.

Cassandra and I had nothing to do with each other until two years ago. My mother was dying. Cassandra is my only sibling, I was freshly divorced, a new mother, and I desperately wanted to reconnect with her. I secured a job at her law firm to try to get to know her. It took her a few months for her to figure out who I was, but once she did, she immediately welcomed me into her life. Being in her life also meant that I was in Darian’s life with her enormous, blended family.

A few years after Darian’s husband passed, she remarried Jackson Knight, a well-known, successful Philadelphia developer. He has three adult sons. Trevor is one of those sons. Despite the substantial age difference, he and Cassandra began secretly dating. At the same time I came into the picture, their relationship had just become public. It was a bit of a mess for a while, but they’re happily married now and have twin babies, carried via gestational host.

We arrive at the hotel and Trevor opens the door for me. I take in his entire appearance, in a dark suit, dark shirt, and red tie that matches Cassandra’s dress. Good God, he’s a handsome man. I can’t blame my sister for being unable to resist him. He must be six feet, three inches, with dark hair, green eyes, and a perfect body. He looks exactly like his father, who’s equally attractive.

Trevor is just as handsome on the inside. I’m so thankful to him. My ex-husband has less and less involvement in Luke’s life every month that goes by. Trevor has stepped into a fatherly role with him. He even mentioned coaching his little league team next year. Luke adores Trevor and hangs on every word he says.

He smiles at me. “You look beautiful. That shade of blue matches your eyes.”

“Thank you.” I can’t deny that I did try my best to look good tonight. Even though they don’t know it, I’m single again. I know this party will be crawling with people my age. Darian’s daughter, Reagan, is turning twenty-eight. Her husband, Carter Daulton, is thirty-five. They only recently got married. She’s very outgoing and is the CEO of one of the biggest companies in the world. Carter is the president. They’re a bit of a power couple and know everyone. I imagine there will be hundreds of people here tonight.

Trevor walks around and helps Cassandra out of the car. He kisses her hand as he does so. “You’re breathtaking.”

He unashamedly dotes on her. I’m so happy that she found him. She had a long road to happiness, one filled with many ugly bumps in the road.

We walk into the hotel. It’s one of the oldest in Philly. The chandelier in the lobby is bigger than most houses. It’s gorgeous. No matter how many times I’ve been here, I’m always taken aback by its beauty.

We make our way to the ballroom. As expected, Carter spared no expense in throwing this party for Reagan. There are at least three-hundred people here. The décor is over the top with a club vibe. There’s a band, a huge dance floor, and several bars. Things seem to be in full swing.

We immediately see Reagan and Carter, who are talking to a man. His back is to us, so I can’t see him. We head that way. Trevor scoops up Reagan and twirls her around. “Happy birthday,sis.”

She laughs. “Thanks,bro.”

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