CHAPTER 6
TREY
Saturday afternoon belonged to Paula’s friends.
“I wasn’t planning to.”
“Do not text asking when I’m coming back.”
“I have plans.”
“Good.”
The restaurant in Brooklyn was crowded enough that Trey heard Paula's table before he saw it.
Danielle's laugh carried over the clatter of plates.
Nia was talking with both hands. Marcus had the patient expression of a man accustomed to letting three other people finish before attempting a sentence.
Trey paused just inside the door, earrings in his pocket, and understood something Paula had been trying to teach him without saying it directly: loving her meant entering a life already populated.
These people had known versions of her he had not.
They had earned access through years he could not retroactively occupy.
“Do not interrogate Danielle later.”
“I have never interrogated Danielle.”
Paula stared.
Trey conceded. “Fine.”
She left.
At 12:11 his phone buzzed.
PAULA: I forgot my earrings.
Trey found them on the bathroom counter.
TREY: I’ll leave them by the door.
PAULA: Bring them.
TREY: You told me not to call or text.
PAULA: This is different.
TREY: Location?
She sent a Brooklyn restaurant.
Trey laughed.
Two hours later he was in New York for a client obligation anyway, so he stopped at the restaurant.
Through the front window he saw Paula with Danielle, Nia and Marcus.
Trey knew where each of them fit in Paula’s life. Nia had first been her assistant before becoming part of her law-school world. Danielle was the friend who knew nearly everything. Marcus belonged to Paula’s professional circle and had long since become family.
Trey entered.
Danielle saw him first.
“Oh, look. Delivery.”
Paula turned.
Her face lit before she could control it.
Trey noticed.
So did every person at the table.
Nia made a sound.
Paula pointed. “Don’t.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“You were about to.”
Trey handed Paula the earrings.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Marcus stood and shook his hand.
They had met before, but not enough to be comfortable.
“Professor Gray.”
“Trey.”
Marcus smiled. “That’s going to take adjustment.”
“Tell me about it,” Paula said.
Trey looked at the table.
Four cocktails.
Shared appetizers.
A pile of fries.
Danielle’s expression was dangerous.
“You staying?”
“No.”
“Good,” Paula said too quickly.
Trey looked at her.
She looked innocent.
Danielle laughed.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
Trey bent and kissed Paula’s cheek.
Her hand caught his sleeve for half a second.
“Drive safe.”
“I will.”
As he walked away, he heard Nia say, “Girl.”
Then Paula: “Shut up.”
Then Danielle, louder: “NO, WE NEED DETAILS.”
Trey smiled all the way outside.
He would not hear the conversation that followed, but he would hear about enough of it later.
At dinner that night, Paula sat across from him trying not to smile.
“What did you tell them?”
“Nothing.”
“Paula.”
“Some things.”
“What things?”
“Privileged.”
“That is not how privilege works.”
“It does now.”
He narrowed his eyes.
She ate a bite of pasta.
“Danielle thinks you have a sex spreadsheet.”
Trey closed his eyes.
“Nia thinks the legal pad is worse.”
“You told them about the legal pad?”
“Maybe.”
“PK.”
“Marcus left before the conversation.”
“Thank God.”
She laughed.
Trey pointed his fork at her.
“Our private life is private.”
“I didn’t give details.”
“Define details.”
Paula smiled.
Trey knew immediately he did not want the answer.
Then she became serious.
“They’re my girls.”
“Nia and Danielle.”
“Yes.”
“And Marcus?”
“Marcus is family, but no, I’m not discussing your bedroom behavior with Marcus.”
“Comforting.”
Paula reached across the table.
“I need them.”
Trey looked at her hand over his.
“I know.”
“I need a life that isn’t just you.”
“I know.”
“And you need yours.”
“I had brunch with Anthony and Malcolm.”
“Exactly.”
Trey turned his hand beneath hers and linked their fingers.
This was another term.
Not spoken Friday.
But essential.
Love was not annexation.
Their worlds could overlap without disappearing.