CHAPTER 32
TREY
The hotel in New Orleans had a balcony overlooking the Quarter.
Trey was there for a conference.
Paula came because, for once, she could.
No client emergency.
No hearing.
No school obligation.
The key sat between them with more symbolic weight than a piece of cut metal deserved.
Trey had meant access. Paula had heard assumption.
Now, looking at it on the table, he understood that both meanings could be true at once.
He pushed it toward her without ceremony and told her what it opened.
Then he told her she did not have to take it.
Three days.
They ate too much.
Walked until Paula complained about her shoes.
Listened to live music.
Bought books.
Trey let Paula plan an entire afternoon and did not secretly improve the itinerary.
She noticed.
“I’m proud of you.”
“Patronizing.”
“Growth deserves recognition.”
“PK.”
She laughed.
The second night they returned to the hotel after midnight.
Paula stood on the balcony in a black dress, city noise below.
Trey came behind her.
“You’ve been good all day,” she said.
He smiled.
“Have I?”
“No reservations changed.”
“No cars summoned without permission.”
“You even let me choose dinner.”
“I’m evolving.”
Paula turned.
“I think you deserve a reward.”
Trey’s eyebrows lifted.
“Do I?”
She stepped closer.
Their private dynamic had become more confident, and with confidence came play.
Paula enjoyed provoking.
Trey enjoyed not being provoked out of himself.
He asked the questions that mattered.
She answered.
Green.
Clear.
Interested.
The scene that followed was not sweet.
It was controlled, dirty in tone, strict and playful, with Paula deliberately testing the rules they had built together.
Trey made her wait.
She cursed.
He reminded her of the agreement.
She smiled because that was exactly why she had made it.
Later they sat on the balcony in hotel robes eating beignets.
Powdered sugar covered Paula’s mouth.
Trey stared.
“What?”
“You have sugar everywhere.”
She licked her lip.
His expression changed.
Paula laughed.
“No.”
“I said nothing.”
“We are done.”
“Agreed.”
“You’re still looking.”
“I have eyes.”
She threw a napkin at him.
Below them, music drifted up from the street.
Paula rested her head on his shoulder.
“This is nice.”
“Yes.”
“No crisis.”
“No students.”
“No Anthony.”
Trey’s phone buzzed.
They both looked at it.
ANTHONY.
Paula screamed laughing.
Trey turned the phone facedown.
“Absolutely not.”
For once, the world could wait.