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“Tommy, this is Mandy Grayson,” he says, knowing instantly why I am there.
“I just love your show!” I add before he has a chance to say a word.
“Thank you, it’s a pleasure,” he says with a glimmer in his eye. He is even more dynamic in person than he is on TV. He envelops my hand within his and looks directly into my eyes. I catch the expression on Trey’s face out of the corner of my eye. I think someone is suddenly a bit jealous.
“Mandy was born in the city, but her family moved when she was just a kid,” Trey tells him.
“Where are you now?” Tommy asks, keeping his focus directly on me.
“I’m in San Francisco.” I smile, knowing that he lives in California too.
“She’s an SEC attorney,” Trey adds.
“Oh… that’s too bad,” Tommy sneers. “And you watch my show? Am I under surveillance or something?”
“I consider myself entrepreneurial, even though I may appear to be working for the other side at the moment,” I explain. “I think it’s good experience.”
“You couldn’t be more wrong, sweetie. Most lawyers make terrible entrepreneurs; they tend to focus on all of the risks instead of the rewards. An entrepreneur needs to possess an almost irrational optimism in order to believe that anything is possible,” Tommy tells her.
“If Mandy is anything like her father, I’m sure there is an incredible entrepreneur buried inside of her,” Trey says in my defense.
“I’m just messing with you.” Tommy smiles devilishly. “How long are you in the city?”
“I haven’t decided, I guess. Why?” I ask, knowing where the conversation is headed.
“I’m just thinking we should go out one night. I would like to get to know you a little better,” he says, moving in right next to me.
“Sorry Tommy, I’ve got her all tied up while she’s here,” Trey reacts aggressively. “In fact, we should get going. It’s going to be a long day tomorrow.”
Trey sweeps me in with his left arm, shooting a grin to both Brandon and Tommy. “See you guys later. We better go see what kind of shape Liv is in. It’s usually trouble if she’s left alone for too long.”
“Bye guys, nice to meet you both!” I shout as Trey sweeps me away before collecting Liv as well. I like the dramatic reaction that I got out of him when Tommy asked me out. I think he had an instant flashback to when he stole Vanessa out from under him. I wouldn’t be mean enough to let that happen again.
Tommy is good looking, successful and very charismatic but he is also a major womanizer. I definitely don’t need someone like him in my life. It is nice to have a little extra leverage though, just in case Trey remains stuck in his current pattern. He still hasn’t had that conversation with Liv.
“Why do we have to leave?” Liv slurs after slamming a final glass of champagne. “Sasha is so damn cool… she gets to go to Turks and Caicos next week for a Sports Illustrated shoot. Did you know she almost made the cover last year?” she continues to babble all the way out to the elevator. “Get us a bottle of champagne for the ride!”
“There are two bottles chilled and waiting for you,” Tony informs her. He has been standing next to the elevator waiting to escort us to the car. “It’s still bad outside,” he tells Trey.
“That’s alright. I’m going to tackle it head-on this time,” Trey says with an immediate spark in his eyes. “I’m not afraid of them.”
“Are you sure you want to do that?” Tony eyes pop with surprise.
“I do.” Trey replies, as his steely expression solidifies. Liv and I remain silent as the elevator descends to the first floor. I have been hoping to see this side of Trey.
“Here we go,” Tony says, beginning to blaze a trail for us to follow. The lobby of the hotel is busy, but it’s even more congested once we get out onto the street. Two reporters instantly attack Trey while at least a dozen cameras flash incessantly. “Did you have anything to do with your father’s death?” some insensitive asshole yells.
Trey stops and looks directly into the crowd. “Who said that?” he yells back, scanning back and forth for the guy.
“We don’t want a fight!” Tony warns, going immediately to Trey’s side.
“You! Get up here!” Trey yells at the man who has been exposed by the crowd around him. “Get up here!” He insists, standing still and staring at a young, aggressive reporter. The man slowly begins to move toward Trey after being nudged forward by the people standing behind him.
