Page 92 of The Logic of Loyalty

“We are in public!” I whisper-hiss at the grown-ass man being turned on in a packed elevator.

“You’re touching me.” His answer is straightforward and delivered with no inflection.

“I fixed your tie.” He pulls me closer until my body is against his again. I tip my head all the way back to meet his hooded gaze. “Let go, Trevor.”

He releases me without hesitation, but he does not look away. Not until we reach the bottom floor, and the elevator empties ahead of us. I lost track of the suit woman.

“I’m talking to Carter later tonight about The Shop. Want me to call you after and let you know how it goes?”

“Yes, please. I would love to hear about how he reacts. He’ll be excited, I’m sure of it.”

“I hope so.” A group of businesspeople moves past us to enter the elevator, prompting me to finally dodge out of their way and get off the thing. Trevor follows closely behind.

“My appointment is next week on Monday. Three o’clock.”

“I’ll be there.”

“You could have been to the last one as well.” I nod toward the phone in his hand. “You’ve clearly been using my location.”

A darker red rises on his cheeks, and he evades my gaze. “Uh, well. Yeah. About that—” A few chatting men cut between us, widening the space.

“I never asked you to turn it off, and I hoped you kept it on. It made me—” I stop, realizing a truth I’ve been avoiding. “It made me feel safe, knowing you had my location.”

Maybe not my heart, but my family? My well-being? Trevor would keep us safe.

He takes a step toward me, but another group passes us, likely returning from their lunches. “I have to go. I’ll see you later.” I turn while he’s still blocked in and walk swiftly to the door. I turn back before I exit. “Call me about Carter!”

His eyes sear into me from the other side of the lobby. He nods his head once and mouths something I pretend not to recognize. I may know what I want, but I need to make sure it’s also what I need. Trevor’s I love you warms me, no longer in hurt or agitation, but in comfort.

The phone is ringing, and I ignore the swoop in my belly when I realize it’s Trevor. Taking a deep breath, I answer as calmly as possible.

“Trevor, hey.” Why do I sound out of breath?

“Hey, Paige.” He sounds just as breathy as I do.

“So, you have news for me?”

“Oh, yeah, I sure do. Buckle up. We have a lot to discuss.”

“Do you know more about what’s happening with them now?” I snuggle into my pillow and focus on our second phone call. Two days in a row.

“I know that he stayed the night⁠—”

I sit straight up at the news. “No! How do you know that?”

“I got nosy and drove by the house.”

“That is hilarious. You’re worse than Billy.”

Trevor calls right at ten, three days in a row.

“Trevor, hey.”

“I love the way you say my name.”

I ignore him. “So, I looked into the notes that Joseph sent us. Have you gotten a chance yet?”

Trevor sighs. “Yes, it’s dense and boring. Come read them to me, and I promise I’ll focus.”