Page 114 of You Know Why

“I’m Trey,” he said.

“Brooklyn.”

“Like the city?” He sounded amused.

“The very same. I have a twin named—”

“Let me guess.” He studied me. “Queens?”

I burst out laughing, and he joined me. “No. Her name is Margot. When we were born, my parents each took a kid. Dad named me Brooklyn because he was born there. Mom named Margot after Margot Fonteyn, her favorite ballet dancer.”

“Does she dance? Your sister?”

“Yes. We took lessons for years. I tapped out when I was ten. Got interested in photography after we went to a black-and-white retrospective featuring Ansel Adams, at the Frist. That’s an art museum at home. Margot’s still in it, though, she was a principal dancer for the Nashville Ballet. Now she teaches, and she’s going to design school.”

“You’re from Nashville?”

“Yes. Have you ever been?”

“I have not. Always wanted to, though.”

“Seriously?”

“Seriously.”

“That’s amazing. There’s always a Nashville connection.”

We sipped our tequila. “It was meant to be,” he said softly.

“What was?”

“You and me.”

I laughed. “How do you know I’m not married, with a passel of kids at home?”

“Because you’ve been waiting for me. And I was meant to find you.”

The way he looked at me, deep into my eyes, deep into my very being, made me believe it might just be true. I had been waiting to meet the right person. Someone who didn’t stifle me or want to possess me. Who understood my need to roam, to experience the world. Who wouldn’t be intimidated by my need not to be shackled to one place, to a traditional life. Someone the opposite of Alex.

I pushed his ghost away. Comparing them was silly. And Alex was gone.

“You just got sad. Why?”

I shook my head and finished my drink. “Where are you from?”

“Connecticut. Hartford. Boring stuff. Only child, don’t get along with my parents.”

“Why are you in San Miguel?”

“I’m traveling the world. Why are you?”

“I had a shoot. I’m a photographer. I wrapped this afternoon. I’m celebrating.”

And on it went. We talked for hours. Trey was smart, he was funny, he was devastating to look at. We had too much tequila. Sparks flew. We flirted, hard. When the bar closed, I invited him to my room.

I thought it was going to be a fun one-nighter with a really cute guy.

But then he kissed me, and I felt it in my soul.