When they were done curling hair and lashes, painting lips and cheeks, and fluffing hair and boobs, they stood her up in front of the mirror once more. In that moment, she knew one thing. It was time to move forward with her life. Tonight would be the night she’d tell Trevor that she was ready to move things forward between them. That she enjoyed every minute she spent with him, and hopefully in this dress, she would hook him into wanting the same with her. She felt alive, excited, ready to take on the world. Nothing would thwart her now, and she owed all of this to her long-lost-but-now-found, best, lifelong friends.
Chapter Nineteen
Trevor straightened his button-up shirt and combed his hair once more, eyeing the small mirror in his bathroom. “I have to tell her now.”
Dustin clapped him on the back, trying to see around Trevor’s shoulder. “Dude, not tonight.”
“I thought you were the one urging me to come clean.” Trevor moved away from the small mirror, knowing that Sir Primps A Lot would never leave until he made sure every last hair was in its perfect place.
“Yes, but not when it’s a celebration for her. That would be insanely selfish.” He picked up his toothbrush and loaded it with whitening toothpaste. “You can’t ruin her evening to unload your conscience. Besides, you haven’t even spoken to Marsha yet.”
“I tried calling her. After her fifty missed calls to me, I finally returned it and she didn’t answer. That woman doesn’t just play games. She invented relationship drama strategies. I won’t let her ruin this with Julie.” Trevor abandoned the bathroom and snagged his jacket. Despite the heat, he wasn’t sure how formal the party would be, so he opted to take one in case. “This woman is different than any I’ve ever dated.”
“I’d say so. For once you found one who suits you instead of me.” Dustin began brushing his teeth with his electric toothbrush, so Trevor went to the doorway so he could be heard loud and clear.
“What are you talking about?”
Dustin kept brushing, making Trevor stand there waiting for him to finish so he would answer—or was the man buying time?
“You know, I’m starting to think you and Marsha would’ve been better matched.”
Dustin spit out the toothpaste and turned off the brush. “Exactly.”
“What?” Treavor harrumphed. “Did you have a thing for Marsha?”
“Dear God, no.” Dustin plopped his toothbrush back on the charger and pushed past Trevor. “That drama dressed as a diva is all yours, bro.”
“Then what are you saying?”
“I’m saying that she is the type of woman I would go for. The type a guy dates, has a fling with, and then moves on. Not the type you marry. That’s your problem.”
“What are you talking about?” Trevor held his coat tight to his chest, preparing for the insanity about to spew from Dustin’s mouth.
“Come on, you’ve got to see it, man. Ever since your fresh-out-of-college sweetheart wanted to get married and have a family, you’ve been torn between happily ever after and the happily for now game. Dude. I’m a firm player in the now game, but you’ve always been meant for the ever after.”
“Then why did I wait to marry till my forties? Huh? And to a woman like Marsha?”
“Because you were told you couldn’t have children. When one doc told you that he believed you were sterile due to a horrible case of chickenpox as a child, you decided you would save that childhood sweetheart with the white picket fence fantasy from a life with a sterile man. You’ve avoided relationships ever since by dating my type of woman.”
“Your type?”
“Yes… Fun, exciting, and noncommittal.”
Trevor thought back over his love life. “But I did marry a younger woman who’s pregnant.”
“Yes. She told you she never wanted kids because she had to keep her body looking good for modeling. I swear the minute she said that to you, the ever-after compromise switch in that brain of yours flicked and you were racing down the aisle. You’ve been wanting a forever and settling until you could have it. Now, you might have more than you bargained for, bud.”
Trevor fell back onto the bed. “You might actually be on to something.” He’d planned on marrying at a young age and having a family. That’s when he unlocked the door to his memories. “I didn’t leave Sara after I found out I wouldn’t be able to have kids. We decided to try for a while, and when she didn’t get pregnant, she broke it off. She couldn’t face not having children.”
“See, you’re damaged.” Dustin grabbed his jacket and waved Trevor to follow. “Let’s not add being late to your girlfriend’s party to the list of reasons she should reject you. After all, you’ve finally found the right woman at the right time of your life.”
That drew him off the bed, and he followed Dustin to the front door. Outside, the world was hot and humid but with a refreshing island breeze. “So you’re not trying to get me to leave anymore?”
“No. I’m not happy about it, but now you’re not running from but to something.”
Trevor took in a deep, salty breath. “Why didn’t you ever point any of this out before?”
Dustin stopped at the crosswalk leading to Cassie’s Catch. “Dude, I did. Like a million times before you married Monster Marsha. You wouldn’t listen. She had her fangs in you so deep I couldn’t reach you.”
Trevor chuckled. “Yeah, I guess she did. Hey, man. Thanks.”
“For what?” Dustin looked up and down the street but remained at the light, waiting for it to change.
“Being the best friend a guy could ask for. You know, despite your crazy and you trying to convince everyone you don’t need anything, you’re a good guy.”
“Ah, thanks. I think.”
The light changed, and they crossed. “Now, about you. Why do you think you’re never willing
