Page 34 of Knight

“You made coffee for us? Then I like you too, Trevor. But maybe it’s just because you look so much like your father, and I like him a lot.”

She smiles playfully at Trevor, but I continue staring daggers at him.

“I don’t. You’re in the doghouse until you’re fifty, Trevor.” He laughs. He knows it’s not true.

I pour three cups of coffee and we sit down at the table to chat for a bit.

“Trevor, your father tells me you want to eventually live in New York. How come?”

“I love Philly. I’ve lived here my whole life. I’m definitely a city boy. I love the fast-paced hustle and bustle of a city. And there’s no better, no bigger, no more exciting city than New York City. It’s just what I’ve wanted for as long as I can remember. I was really torn because part of me wanted to work for Dad, but there’s always just been something drawing me to New York City. I’m so grateful to Dad for expanding his business into New York for me. He says it’s not for me, that it’s a natural progression for his business, but I know the score. He’s doing it to keep his favorite kid happy.”

I cough, “Least favorite kid.” We all laugh.

We sit and talk for another twenty minutes or so. Darian rinses out her coffee mug and says, “I’m going to head out, Jackson. I’ve got some things to do today. It was great to meet you, Trevor.”

I stand up. “I’ll drive you.”

“No need. I ordered an Uber. It will be here in a few minutes.”

“You should’ve told me. I wanted to drive you home.”

“I’m sorry. I wanted to give you some alone time with Trevor. I assumed his appearance meant you two had plans. I’m just going to grab my stuff. If you don’t mind, I’m going to leave my dress hanging here for now. I’ve already added yet another walk of shame notch to my belt with Trevor walking in on us this morning. I don’t need another with my Uber driver.” Trevor laughs.

“Of course. Whatever you need. Maybe I can bring it by later. I’ll walk you out.”

I walk her outside. The Uber isn’t here quite yet. I grab her into my arms and kiss her lips. “Another good night with you, sugar. And that was a first for me.” She looks at me in question. “Limo sex. That was a first for me.”

She smiles. “I may possibly have done that at my senior prom with my high-school boyfriend, but I can promise you that last night wasa lotbetter. And my date last night wasa lothotter.”

“Anda lotmore well-endowed.”

She looks at me like I’m crazy. “Jackson, you’re more well-endowed than anyone who has ever had sex in a limo in the history of the world. Probably anyone who has ever even ridden in a limo, or seen a limo, or thought about a limo.” We both laugh. She kisses me again.

“Well, it was number one on my fantasyto dolist, and you, my beautiful girl, more than fulfilled my fantasy.”

“Ooh. Tell me more about this list. I’m game for checking off a few more boxes.”

“I like your dirty streak and the way you think. I’m not sure. Maybe the whole naughty secretary bit in my office would be fun. I’ve never had sex in my office. Actually, why don’t you compile a list and I’ll make all of your fantasies come true.”

We hear a noise and see the Uber pull in. She looks up at me. “Let me think about my list and get back to you.” She reaches up and kisses me one last time. “I’ll talk to you soon.” She gets in the Uber and it pulls out.

I walk back into the house with what must be a big shit-eating grin on my face. Trevor snaps me out of my trance. “Oh my god. You’re such a girl. You’re totally in lust.”

“Shut up. You’re a pain in my ass. Being as we didn’t actually have plans, is there a reason you’re here, other than to cockblock me?

He laughs. “I totally did. Sorry.”

“It’s fine. I’m kidding. Sort of. Whyareyou here?”

“I ran into Bryan Clarrett’s kid last night. You remember him? His name is Larry. He was on my little league team.”

“Sure I do. I certainly know his dad. He’s a jerk-off. In fact, he hit on Darian last night and she totally bitch slapped him.”

“I love that, and we’ll get back to her in a minute, but I need to tell you about Larry. I saw him at a bar last night. He was pretty tuned up. He was talking about how you fucked over his dad, buying up some properties near their Megaplex, and now they’re going to fuck you over. He didn’t say how, or anything else, but he was dead serious. He was in a state of rage over it.”

“Yeah, Bryan called me a week or so ago, ranting and raving about the Megaplex area buy-up. I actually acquired those properties to convert them into low-income housing that I’m planning to donate back to the city. He must have gotten wind of their intended use. At the time I acquired the properties, I didn’t know about the Megaplex. Driving down his property value is just an added bonus. It doesn’t change my plans. The city needs the housing, and those properties were thrown in with another deal. It’s only costing me some renovation costs, which are tax-deductible anyway. Sucks for Clarrett’s business, but this benefits so many needy families. I’m not changing course because he and his son throw a temper tantrum. I can handle those small-minded weasels.”

“Okay good. I just wanted to tell you what I heard. I was worried.” It’s good to know my son has my back.

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