Bri abandoned her mug and rubbed both of Julie’s arms. “Mom, I want nothing more than for you to be happy. I’m a grown woman. I won’t have an issue with you having a new boyfriend. It’s about time.”
Julie took in a deep breath. “That’s good to hear. Then, yes. Despite all of my issues with moving on and the guilt, my feelings for Trevor are growing. I can see Trevor in my life, now and in the future. He is a good and kind man who is, as you put it so eloquently, hot. For the first time in a long time, I feel awake and alive and want to live again. Despite it being way too early to think of this as a long-term commitment, I honestly can’t see a future without him in it. Most of all, I’m actually considering my future.”
Chapter Fifteen
“Dude, you’re insane. Look at you covered in bites and sunburned. Is that woman worth it?” Dustin asked, sitting on the sofa with his legs up on the coffee table and eyeing Trevor with a look of disgust.
Trevor rubbed aloe on his chest and shoulders, trying to alleviate the sting of the burn. Obviously the sunscreen didn’t last after he fell in the water, despite being labeled water-resistant. He didn’t care. Each ache and itch was worth it. He’d never experienced such a deep connection with someone, not even Marsha. Despite the seven years they were married, they’d never had a serious conversation. It was all about marketing, attending events, and schmoozing people. Not that they’d spent much time together after the first four years, since she’d had her big modeling break and flown off to New York and LA all the time.
“You’re not going to do it again. Fall for some young, hot chick who’s going to ruin you?”
Trevor didn’t like the way Dustin spoke about Julie. “This is different, and she’s not in her twenties or thirties, even. She’s celebrating her fiftieth birthday soon.”
“Really?” Dustin’s eyes went wide. “It doesn’t matter. That’s not the point. You just got a divorce. You don’t want to settle down again and be miserable.”
Trevor left his shirt off and sat on the edge of the chair so his back didn’t touch anything. “First, I know part of you is saying this because you don’t want to lose your wingman again, but I also know you’re telling me this because you care. Regardless, I’m not getting remarried right now, so relax.”
Dustin shot up to a perfect posture as if his words finally commanded his attention. “Right now? So you’re already thinking about that?”
“I didn’t say that. No. I’m not. Julie needs to take things slow. She’s a widow trying to move on with her life, and I’m a man who had his heart broken, was lied to and used. We both enjoy each other’s company, and honestly, I feel safe and I trust her. And she trusts me.”
“You know this is doomed, right? This business, this new life with this new woman? I can only stay so long to pick up the pieces this time.”
Trevor tensed. “No one’s asking you to. I’m fine.”
“Are you?” Dustin shook his head. “Then what are you still doing here?”
Trevor’s temper rumbled inside like an approaching Florida afternoon thunder boomer, but he forced himself to remain seated. “I realize it’s difficult for you to comprehend a man caring for a woman so much he’s willing to work to make her happy, since the only thing you’ve worked at is moving on to the next victim.”
“That’s not fair.” Dustin stood and grabbed an empty cup from the coffee table and headed to the kitchen.
“Isn’t it? You have a three-month rule. The minute that mark hits, you move on before it can get too serious. You leave a trail of broken hearts behind and don’t care.” Trevor knew he was stepping over the line, but he couldn’t keep it in any longer. “I care about you like a brother. That’s why I’m saying this. You don’t understand why I’m here, why I got this sunburn or did something out of my comfort zone to please a woman, because you’ve never been in love. Not real love.”
Dustin slammed the cup down on the counter. “Maybe not, but I’ve also never allowed a woman to take everything I had just because she broke my heart.”
“You’re right.” Trevor rested his elbows on his knees and lowered his head to take a breath and calm his anger. “Marsha was a mistake, a huge, horrible, decision that cost me dearly. But she wasn’t the right woman. When we met, she put on a show, convinced me she was this nice woman with dreams who supported mine and that we could grow together. It was a lie. She only wanted me to introduce her to people at parties because she couldn’t gain access to anyone working as a waitress. There were warning signs I chose not to see because I was so flattered that this young, beautiful woman who didn’t want kids was interested in me. It was exciting at first. The perfect situation. I was caught up in it all when she asked me to marry her. And it all happened so fast.” He took in a deep breath and let it out again. “No, I’m not ready to remarry, but that doesn’t mean I’m not ready to care about someone.”
Dustin flopped back on the couch. “I get it, man. It’s lonely being single. Date Julie, enjoy your time with her, but just don’t get too serious too fast. You think I’m only saying this because I miss having my best friend to hang out with, but I do care. I don’t want to see you get hurt
