17. Natasha
17
NATASHA
“ D o I look okay?” Stacy asked me for the third time in as many minutes.
“You look great.” And she did, dolled up in her signature bright colors and perfectly mismatched patterns.
“I’m so nervous,” she said, wringing her hands together. “I don’t know why. We’ve been chatting every day.”
I glanced down at my phone as it buzzed. It was Trent, messaging to say he’d be there to pick us up in just a few minutes. I grinned at the little heart emoji he added at the end of the message. My own heart skipped in response. I was attending Hailey’s birthday party as his guest, and Dominic had invited Stacy. Actually, he’d insisted she come along rather than just dropping off the dress she’d made for Hailey. And Stacy had been freaking out ever since.
She’d stormed into my apartment at seven this morning, and the party didn’t even start until twelve.
“What if Hailey doesn’t like the dress?” she said, smoothing her hands over the garment bag she’d packed the dress into.
“She’s going to love it,” I assured her. “How could she not? It’s a poof of pink and purple fabric bedazzled with every rhinestone in Queens. That’s every little girl’s dream, right?”
Stacy’s lips twisted. “You think I went overboard?”
“There’s no such thing. It’s perfect. Trust me. You don’t have anything to worry about.” It looked like a unicorn threw up—perfect for a five-year-old.
Stacy worried her bottom lip. “I just want Hailey to love it. And Dominic too. I feel like this is some sort of test.”
I hadn’t ever seen Stacy this worked up about a guy. Certainly never over any of her theater guys. She was usually so damn positive about everything that she hardly flinched when it didn’t work out. She just moved on to the next guy, forever chasing that figurative Mr. Right. But maybe Dominic was different.
Maybe her feelings for him were different.
My phone buzzed again. “That’s Trent,” I said. “He’s downstairs. Are you ready?”
Stacy tossed the garment bag over her shoulder. “I feel like I’m gonna throw up.”
“Try not to get it on the dress.” I grabbed the small box I’d wrapped—a unicorn toy that the saleswoman had assured me was all the rage this year—and steered Stacy out the door, hurrying down the steps to meet Trent. He’d turned up in the same car we’d taken on our date, and I tried not to think about all the things that had almost happened in this vehicle as Stacy slid across the seats.
“Hi,” Trent said, pecking me on the cheek.
“Hi.” I climbed in after Stacy. There was a huge box wrapped in sparkly pink paper sitting on the floor. “What’s in there?”
Trent arched his eyebrow as he sat beside me. The driver pulled away from the curb, heading into Manhattan. “The present?”
I laughed. “I understand it’s her present, but what did you get her?” My box was dwarfed in comparison. “That’s massive.”
“Oh,” Trent laughed. “Yeah, I had no clue. Dominic sent me a link to some princess castle looking thing.”
“You’re telling me you don’t keep on top of the latest and greatest princess toy trends?” Stacy teased.
Trent smirked. “I’ve been surprisingly lax about it. But in all honesty, Dominic has us all on strict present restrictions. He went through a long custody battle with his ex, and Hailey ended up being a little too spoiled during that process. I think he was feeling bad. Now that everything’s settled, he’s realized her playroom is exploding.”
“Divorces are tough on kids,” Stacy said. “I’m not surprised he tried to find other ways to compensate.”
“He sounds like a great dad,” I said.
Trent nodded in agreement. “He actually had her pick out a bunch of her old toys and donate them. He’s trying to instill some good values in her. But he said there were a lot of tears when parting with some headless Barbies.”
I snorted, and Stacy nodded sympathetically. “Those are always the most loved.”
“Really?” Trent asked.
“I think we all had a headless Barbie,” Stacy said. “It’s like a rite of passage.”
“Not me,” I said.
Stacy rolled her eyes. “Because you were probably whittling your own doll out of wood.”
We pulled up in front of a luxury high-rise building. Trent greeted the doorman by name, and we were directed up to the roof, the three of us taking the elevator. A large sign board that read HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAILEY hung by the entrance to the rooftop terrace. The space was enclosed in glass, a few of the braver guests venturing out to the balcony to take in the chilly view.
“You’re here!”
I whirled around, spotting Dominic. He had a lopsided party hat on his head and a gaggle of giggling preschoolers chasing after him.
“Uncle Trent!” a little girl cried. I assumed this was Hailey. She ran over, throwing herself around Trent’s legs. “Is that for me?” She pointed to the present in Trent’s arms.
“It’s definitely for you.”
Hailey cheered. “So many presents!”
“Hailey,” Dominic said, exasperated.
“It’s okay,” Trent said, clapping him on the shoulder. “She’s allowed to be excited. It’s her birthday.”
“I’m just trying to control the chaos.”
Trent grimaced at a horde of squealing preschoolers, nodding in solidarity. “Better you than me.”
“I don’t know if controlling the chaos is possible today,” Stacy said.
Dominic beamed at her. “I’m really glad you came.”
“Me too.” She handed over the garment bag. “This is for Hailey.”
He took it. “Give it to her with me?”
“Sure,” Stacy said, wandering off with Dominic.
Trent turned over his shoulder to look at me. “So there’s definitely something happening with them, right?” He gestured after Dominic and Stacy.
“Definitely,” I said, taking his hand. We walked across the terrace Dominic had reserved for the afternoon. The entire space was done up with streamers and balloons, and despite Dominic’s protests, there was a long table loaded with presents. We added ours to the pile.
Another crowd of little girls went racing by us, streaming over toward a magician who had started crafting balloon animals. Trent made a face, and I laughed softly, squeezing his hand.
“Looks like Dominic rented out all the entertainers in town,” I said.
“I don’t know how else you’d corral the kids,” Trent said, dead serious. We made our way to the other side of the terrace, where there was a space for the adults to gather with drinks and food—close enough to step in if needed, but far enough away to be able to enjoy themselves without the kids being right underfoot.
“Natasha,” Aiden said as we walked up. “Good to see you again.”
“Nice to see you too.”
“This is my fiancée, Cora,” he said, introducing the pretty redhead at his side.
“I’ve heard all about your drink-making skills,” I said to Cora. “Stacy will be thrilled to meet you. She’s followed you on Insta for a while.”
Cora shook her head, rolling her eyes at Aiden playfully. “That’s supposed to be a secret, but this guy can’t stop telling people I’m the Masked Mixer.”
“I can’t help it if I’m proud,” Aiden said.
She patted his hand. “It’s supposed to be anonymous, babe.”
“Who’re they going to tell?”
Vincent and Piper walked over with their baby. “Baby Violet in the house,” Vincent said.
“Can you stop announcing her like a DJ?” Piper said.
Trent and I laughed.
“This is Piper,” Vincent said, introducing his wife. “Piper, this is Natasha.”
Piper gave me a hug. It was surprising but not unwelcome. “Welcome to the madhouse,” she said, smiling kindly.
“Go see your fifth-favorite uncle,” Vincent said, handing the baby off to Trent. Despite the huff he gave at having a baby thrust at him, Trent looked like a natural, holding Violet on his hip. Though I supposed he’d been through all of this with Hailey already. The baby gurgled, chewing on a cookie that she mashed into Trent’s shoulder. It was ridiculously cute, as was Trent’s playful glare.
“How the hell am I the fifth favorite?” Trent grumbled.
“I’m the first favorite, obviously,” Aiden said, tickling Violet under the chin. “Dominic comes second, with his baby whispering skills. Paul’s third, because Violet likes his hair.”
“And fourth?” Trent demanded.
“Jimmy,” Vincent stated simply.
“Betrayed by my own brother,” Trent muttered before pressing a kiss on top of Violet’s head. “You don’t really like Jimmy better than me, do you? He never does laundry until his socks are stiff enough to stand on their own, you know.”
“Sure, but he’s better at making funny faces than you are,” Piper explained. “How’s he doing, anyway? I thought we might see him today—I wanted to ask how school was going.”
Trent winced. “It’s…going. Adjusting hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing, but once he gets his feet under him, I think he’ll be fine.” His eyes met mine and we shared a smile.
Aiden smacked him on the shoulder. “Speaking of funny faces…” he said, gesturing at Violet. “Incoming.”
“I just changed her,” Piper said. “It’s probably just gas.”
“Gas for her fifth-favorite uncle,” Aiden snickered.
Trent glowered at Aiden. “Seems like she really wants to get in on the action.” Violet kicked her feet, screeching at the party shenanigans. An actress in a princess costume drifted across the terrace, and there were dozens of shrieks of delight from Hailey’s friends. Violet cooed louder.
I spotted Hailey at the front of the pack, now wearing Stacy’s dress. She beamed, shoving a too-large crown up her forehead. I turned back, squeezing Trent’s hand. Stacy must have been thrilled at Hailey’s reception to the dress.
A man walked over, giving me a friendly smile.
“This is Paul,” Trent said. “And his wife, Chloe.”
“Glad Trent finally has someone to bring to all these things,” Chloe said, nudging my shoulder. “I promise they’re not all this hectic.”
I smiled at her. The last I’d heard, Trent’s friends knew we were playing at this relationship for Dee’s sake, but from the way they greeted me, it was like they believed we were a real couple. It was reassuring in a way.
“I’ll be right back,” Trent said. I frowned at him, and he held up his phone. “Dee texted me to say she just arrived. I’m going to escort her up.”
Ah, right. Trent had mentioned that Dee might attend if she was feeling well enough. He squeezed my shoulder, handed Violet off to Piper, then disappeared, leaving me alone with his friends. This was the moment it might all go downhill, but as I turned back to them, Piper smiled at me.
“So, I saw some of the designs for the furniture pieces you’re making for Dee,” she said.
“Oh, really? I’m pretty excited about them. Trent found an old church and managed to save a lot of amazing stained glass.”
“What do you think about designing children’s furniture?”
“I’d love to,” I said.
“Great. It feels like we only just got the nursery done,” she explained, “but somehow this little one is already outgrowing things. I sort of want to set it up for the long term, if that makes sense?”
I nodded. “Pieces she can grow into.”
“Exactly. I just want to swap her crib out for a bed at some point, and everything else can stay.”
“I’ll have to pick your brain about your tastes,” I said. “Then I can draft some designs.”
Piper kissed the top of Violet’s head. “That’d be amazing.”
“Dee!” Aiden called.
I turned over my shoulder, spotting Trent and Dee. They made their way across the terrace, Dee pulling that portable canister of oxygen with her. She looked a little more run-down than the last time I saw her, and she was moving a little slower. I could tell by the way Trent hovered at her side that he was concerned. He wiped the look away by the time they made it over to us, and Dee rallied, going right for the baby.
“How is my little Violet doing?”
Dominic and Stacy joined us a moment later, and we went through introductions again. Dee gave Stacy and Dominic an interested look, then came over to me, clinging to my arm as she whispered, “I like this. Whatever this is.”
I chuckled. Clearly Stacy had gotten Dee’s stamp of approval.
“I’m going to go sit down,” she said. “Come chat when you can. I need details.”
“How’s it going?” Trent asked, returning to my side. “Dee trying to pump you for information about Stacy?”
“Yes,” I laughed. “And it’s going well.” Truthfully, I was having way more fun than I had expected. Piper, Cora, and Chloe had all been incredibly nice and welcoming. Violet was adorable. The five-year-olds were noisy, to say the least, but they weren’t my responsibility, and the entertainers Dominic had hired were keeping them pretty well corralled. Dominic, meanwhile, was treating Stacy great. And I liked the way the guys played off each other. Not to mention that Trent looked good standing next to me. “Actually,” I said. “I just need to pop out to the bathroom. Think you could show me where it is?”
“Sure.” He took my hand. “We’ll just need to stop by Dom’s place. Be right back,” he said to the group. He led me to the elevator. The moment the door closed, I was on him, dragging him into a searing kiss.
He hummed delightedly when I pulled away, his arms snaking around my back. “I’m starting to suspect you don’t actually need the bathroom.”
“Sorry,” I whispered. “You just looked so damn sexy. You were driving me a little wild.”
“So it’s the cashmere sweater that does it for you?” he asked.
“It’s everything.” The way he was with his friends. The way he doted on Hailey and Violet. The way he looked out for Nana Dee. His smile. His laugh. The way his eyes twinkled with mirth when his friends were ragging on him. Despite his bemoaning the hordes of preschoolers and grumbling as baby Violet slathered him in a half-chewed cookie, he was most attractive like this, surrounded by people who cared for him.
“I’m not complaining,” he said as the door opened. He took my hand, leading me down the hall to Dominic’s apartment. It was unlocked, but Trent locked it behind us. Then he led me into the bathroom and locked that door too. He pulled me close, capturing my lips in another searing kiss. His hands started to explore beneath my shirt, tugging at the waistband of my jeans. He got the button open, and my heart sped up. “Do you think?—”
“Quickie?” I suggested.
“Holy fuck, yes,” he growled, and my stomach flipped at the sound.
I put my purse down on the counter, rifling through it. It had been a while since I’d had to carry condoms around, just in case. I found one, fumbling with the wrapper, snickering as Trent snatched it from my hands, tearing the package open with his teeth.
I shoved my pants down my hips and turned around, placing my hands on the bathroom counter as he took care of business.
“Yes,” I moaned as I felt him nudging against my entrance a moment later.
“Are you wet?”
“What do you think?”
He chuckled, low and husky, reaching around me to circle my clit with his fingers. I bucked back against him. He kissed the side of my neck.
“You locked the door, right?”
“Yes, but you still have to be quiet.”
I gave a breathy little moan as his lips were replaced by teeth.
“Can you be quiet, Hellcat?”
I nodded.
“Just in case these walls are thin. Wouldn’t want to scar the neighbors,” he teased, rubbing a little harder, just the way I liked it. I gasped, biting down on the sound at the last second.
“Good girl,” he said, grinding his hips against my ass. “Just like that.”
He slid deep inside me, rocking in and out. I braced my forearms against the counter, my legs trembling at the delicious friction. It was taking everything inside me not to mewl like a cat in heat.
Trent’s fingers dug into my waist, his thrusts growing more erratic. It was a fast, hard fuck, neither of us having the patience to draw it out any longer, but it was just as good as every other time. Maybe it was even better, the threat of getting caught driving me a little crazy. I reached between my legs, rubbing at my clit until I fell headlong into my orgasm, seizing up around him. I could feel my muscles pulsing around his cock, pushing him over the edge too. I basked in the way he cradled me against him in the aftermath.
“How was that, Hellcat?”
“So fucking good.”
It was well into the evening by the time Trent dropped Stacy and me off. We stumbled into my apartment to debrief, both of us collapsing on my couch, too tuckered out to move any further.
“I don’t understand why I’m so exhausted. I didn’t have to wrangle any of the kids.”
“I think they siphon energy,” Stacy teased. “Like little, adorable leeches.”
“Speaking of adorable,” I said. “Vincent and Piper’s daughter.”
“Oh my god!” Stacy said. “I know. I want a Violet of my own.”
We both grew quiet. It had been a good day.
“I couldn’t help noticing that you and Trent mysteriously disappeared together for a while.” I looked over, and she waggled her eyebrows at me. I flushed bright red, but Stacy just laughed. “I’m glad you two are having a good time together. I’ve never seen you smile like that for anyone.”
“What are you talking about? I smile like this for you all the time.”
She nudged me with her shoulder. “I’m serious.”
What could I say? It had been a really good day. I know Trent and I had started this by playing pretend for Nana Dee, but it didn’t feel like pretend any more. “I’m surprised you noticed anything the way you were staring at Dominic the entire afternoon.”
Now it was Stacy’s turn to flush. She put her hands to her cheeks. “I literally felt like I was floating all afternoon. He’s just…He’s so wonderful. And the way he treats Hailey. I’ve never met a better man.”
I was glad they were hitting it off. I knew how nervous Stacy had been this morning. “Do you think things are moving in a good direction?”
She drummed her fingers against her lips. “Well, I really like him. And Hailey is just the sweetest.”
“She really loved the dress,” I said. “So there was no need to worry about that.”
Stacy smiled. “She was thrilled, wasn’t she? And she warmed up to me faster than I expected. I know we need to move slowly. The divorce is still pretty fresh, and Hailey’s so young. I don’t want to make this process any more complicated for Dominic. But he doesn’t seem to be pushing me away. So, in terms of a direction, I guess I feel…” She inhaled deeply, letting it out slowly. “Hopeful.”
“You’re always hopeful,” I pointed out. I don’t think Stacy knew any other way to be.
She shrugged. “It’s bound to work out one of these days. Why not today?”
I patted her knee. “Why not today?”
Stacy leaned over and pecked me on the cheek. “Exactly. I’m gonna go before I fall asleep on your couch. Text me later?”
“Sure,” I said. “Have a good night.” She got up, letting herself out of the apartment while I grabbed my laptop from the end of the couch to check my email. I had a message from 1stDibs. I opened it, my eyes widening as I read it.
This wasn’t a business request, but a personal one.
From a woman claiming to be Trent’s mother.