When Darkness Comes Read online

  “We’ve been up for about 40 minutes now, and there’s a clearing ahead perfect for landing.” Jack smiled apologetically.

  “Time flies when you’re having fun.” Trent stuffed his hands in the pockets of his jeans and focused on the horizon.

  I swiftly put away my camera and took a quick breath. Exhaling, I stepped to Trent’s side before I gave myself the opportunity to chicken out. I hooked my arm through his and leaned into his side.

  “I’m sorry it went by so fast.” I whispered, resting my head on his shoulder and placing my right hand in the crook of his elbow.

  “Me, too.” Trent pulled his left hand out of his pocket and placed it on top of mine. “I guess we will just have to do this again sometime.” His voice was hopeful and I knew that he was smirking again. He gently squeezed my hand and then placed a light kiss atop my head. We didn’t move from that position until we had landed safely on the ground ten minutes later.

  We were immediately greeted by the ground crew that had been following the path of the balloon in a Ford Expedition. A young man with shaggy blonde hair handed all passengers a glass of champagne, and we watched as the balloon started to deflate.

  “I hope you had fun.” Trent took a sip of his champagne and smiled at me.

  “It was amazing.” I beamed. “Truly! Thank you for this.” I shivered and I don’t know if it was because the air was colder than forecasted or if it was the piercing gaze from Trent. I’m pretty sure it was the latter and I felt goose bumps form on my flesh as I stared into his gorgeous green eyes.

  “Would you hold this for a sec?” Trent handed me his glass of champagne and shrugged off his jacket. He took a step toward me and draped the heavy black fabric around my shoulders.

  “Trent, no, I’m fine. My sweater is actually quite warm. You’re going to freeze without your jacket.” I couldn’t tell him that his stare was what had me quaking in my boots; that’s something I’ll just keep to myself. I smiled softly at him, but my eyes pleaded with him to take his jacket back.

  Trent placed a strong hand on my shoulder and gently lifted my chin with the other. “I think I’ll survive.” As he spoke, his eyes, and voice, softened.

  This is it. It’s finally going to happen. He’s going to put me out of my misery and kiss me.

  I waited anxiously as he removed the glasses from our hands.

  Okay…

  He then took a step back and directed his attention toward the disassembly of the balloon. I felt as deflated as the balloon’s envelope in that very moment.

  I thought for sure he was going to kiss me this time. All he had to do was place his lips on mine and the glasses in my hands would’ve fallen to the ground, since I wouldn’t have been able to resist the urge to touch him and run my fingers through his hair. Why won’t he just do it already?!

  He stood rigidly, watching the movements of the ground crew intently.

  I can tell by his body language that he is holding back.

  Accepting the fact that our first kiss simply was not going to happen right now, I slipped my arms through the sleeves of the military style jacket and took my champagne flute back from Trent. I took a big swig of the bubbly liquid and folded my arms around me, failing miserably to hide my despondency. I turned my eyes toward Trent and searched his face for any clue as to what he was thinking. His expression gave away nothing. Go figure, he would have an excellent poker face. Well, to be honest, his face was excellent period. Trent’s profile showcased his stark jaw line and perfectly straight nose. His hair had fallen slightly in his face and my eyes couldn’t help but be drawn to his mouth. I wonder when I will get the chance to find out if his lips were as strong and powerful as the rest of his body, or if they were as soft as they looked. Oh, what I would give to run a trail of kisses along that jaw and feel the coarseness of his five o’clock shadow…

  Trent must’ve sensed he had an admirer, for he turned to look at me. I had been caught red-handed, just like my favorite lipstick. He ran his hand quickly through his hair but his gaze never left mine. I still had no idea what he was thinking or feeling, although I’m pretty sure my face flashed all of my thoughts like an electronic billboard in the middle of Times Square. I took another sip of my drink and then licked my lips, savoring the sweet, crisp taste.

  I heard Trent harshly mumble something under his breath that sounded an awful lot like “Damn it, woman”. Lifting his glass, he finished his champagne with one gulp. He immediately took a step toward me and I froze in place. His strong hand, which held his now empty glass, snaked around my back and his other hand went to my face. He drew my body flush with his as our lips collided. My mind stumbled, trying to regain my composure after the initial shock of Trent’s forwardness, and as soon as it did, I closed my eyes, feeling his mouth move against mine. Reaching up with my empty hand, I wrapped my arm around his neck. His kiss was firm, but tender, and it made me weak in the knees. The taste of his mouth was completely intoxicating, the sweetness of icing and the richness of coffee, mixed with a hint of licorice dancing on the tip of his tongue.

  Our lips broke apart as we both fought to catch our breath. Trent’s large, warm hand gently cradled my cheek as he rested his forehead against mine. I smiled and stared up into the dark, stormy eyes in front of mine.

  “Damn it, woman?” I mimicked questioningly.

  “You heard that, huh?” Trent chuckled gruffly. “I’ve wanted to do that since you opened your front door.” Trent spoke softly, continuing to hold me close to him.

  “Why’d you wait so long then?” I teased. Trent let out a breath and tenderly nuzzled my nose with his. I smiled again, and was suddenly struck with an idea. “Trent, can I ask you something?”

  “Of course, Paige.”

  I loosened my grip around his neck and reluctantly separated myself from him. I could barely form coherent thoughts when our bodies were in such close proximity, and I was already nervous enough about what I was going to say next.

  Here goes nothing…

  “Okay, so I don’t know if you remember, but you met my brother’s fiancée at Echo, and anyway, the wedding is coming up soon. Like, next weekend soon. Now, I’m the maid of honor and I’m going to be standing at the front for the whole ceremony, so I completely understand if you’re not interested at all,” I took a quick breath, before continuing on with my hurried spill. “But I was hoping that you might, I mean, would you like… Are you free next Saturday night? To be my date for the wedding, that is.” I bit my bottom lip, awaiting his response with baited breath.

  Trent fought back a laugh and placed my hand in his. His mouth curved into his strapping smirk as he once again leaned his forehead against mine. “Guess that means you want a second date... Would it be casual?”

  He’s teasing me. He’s proving a point and getting a kick out of it; I just know it.

  “Absolutely.” I smiled, shaking my head no, contradicting the meaning of the word as it came out of my mouth.

  “I’ll call your bluff.” He repeated the very words I had spoken to him when he asked me out at Club Echo.

  Trent smiled and placed another kiss on my lips. My heart ceased to beat in my chest and my brain waved a white flag in surrender.

  chapter 5

  “Oh. My. Gosh! Put down the dang phone, Paige!” Nic yelled as she threw a Tiffany blue pillow across the room and smacked me square in the arm with it. She was relaxing on the black cushioned window seat while she went over a checklist ensuring everything was ready for the wedding tomorrow. I was lying on my stomach on top of my old black and white damask comforter, which covered the same black four-poster queen size bed I slept in as a teenager. Ally was seated on the bed beside me and was assisting Nic in her task.

  I stuck my tongue out at Nic and then proceeded to give her the evil eye. “You are so lucky that did not hit me in the face.”

  Avocado and oatmeal facial masks were worn by all three of us, and I would’ve been royally peeved had it ruined one of my pillows. Well, tech
nically, they weren’t my pillows since I didn’t live here anymore, but Mom and Dad hadn’t changed my room since I moved out, so I felt like I still had a claim.

  “Well, c’mon, Paige. You’ve been texting him all night. Enough is enough.” Ally looked at me over her shoulder, her blue eyes pleading with me to forget about Trent for the rest of the evening. I couldn’t help it though; I haven’t seen him since our amazing date and I am seriously suffering from withdrawals.

  I have been running around like a chicken with its head cut off for the last week, thanks to all the last-minute wedding preparations. Not to mention, I shot an engagement session during all this, so I had quite a few late nights trying to edit pictures. My hands were full, and Trent has been a total sweetheart, never once making me feel bad for not having the time to go out with him again. Every free minute I’ve obtained has been spent texting with him. Sometimes it is a simple ‘just wanted to say hi’, and then other times we will end up spending hours talking about anything and everything. I learned that Trent has an older sister who still lives in Scarsdale, and he is planning a trip down there soon for a short visit to see his nephew.

  Even though we have spent this last week apart, I feel like we have gotten to know a lot about each other and I’ve been able to find out just how much of an amazing guy Trent is. He even surprised me a couple of times by having pizza delivered to my apartment. Imagine my surprise when I opened the door to a delivery boy and then, his skepticism while I tried to convince him that I did not order anything, that he must’ve had the wrong apartment number. Then, the delivery boy told me that it had been paid for by a Mr. Knox and was to be delivered to apartment 433 to a Miss Tremblay. When I had thanked Trent for the sweet gesture, he had been so humble and just said that he wanted to ensure I was getting some sustenance since I was running myself ragged with errands and work. I was so moved that he would worry about me like that, and the second time it happened, I was much nicer to the delivery boy.

  I threw my head back with a humph! Rolling my eyes, I said, “Fine! Give me just a minute!”

  Yes, I was acting like a teenager in this moment, but that’s what the plan was for tonight. We were having one last sleepover at my house for old time’s sake and then tomorrow, Nic would officially be a married woman and a member of my family. So what if I had spent some, okay most, of the night texting with Trent? I still happily participated in all of the evening’s festivities. We made popcorn with my mom and she even made my dad go pull out her old Mystery Date game from the attic for us girls to play. We had so much fun acting like we were 12-year-olds again, but I still wanted to talk to Trent, so I did.

  I looked at my phone and smiled. I had a new message from him.

  * Paige, just keep your focus on Nic and J.L. Don’t worry about anyone else; speak TO them and FROM your heart. You got this, Pic Chick *

  My smile widened as I read his text, and my finger began to glide quickly across the screen of my iPhone as I typed out my reply.

  * Thanks, Ghostbuster. ;-) I appreciate it. Well, we’re gonna be turning in soon, so I guess I will see you tomorrow??? *

  * absolutely *

  * Are you sure? You do realize you’re meeting my family tomorrow, right? And, by that, I mean my mom and dad. You’ll be treading dangerous water *

  * Yes, Paige. I’m sorry, but I’m not backing out. I’ve been brushing up on baseball stats for your dad and I even plan on combing my hair to impress your mom. But, just this one time. Any more than that is just asking too much *

  * HOCKEY, TRENT!!! My dad hates baseball. Please don’t bring up baseball *

  * I love how that’s the ONE thing you got from that whole text. Lol And I know, Paige. Trust me, I got this *

  * I do trust you. Just don’t make me regret it. I’ll see you tomorrow! *

  * Yes, you will. Although, I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever. How will I ever recognize you? ;-) *

  * I’ll be the one in the beautiful strapless, taupe dress, standing beside the bride *

  * Get your beauty sleep. On second thought, maybe you should just stay up ALL night and text me. You don’t want Nic getting pissed when you look prettier than her *

  * Whatever! :P I will never hold a candle to Nic, no matter how much beauty sleep I get. Trust me, everyone’s attention will be on the blushing bride *

  * Not everyone’s. G’night, Paige. Sweet dreams *

  * Goodnight, Trent *

  “What is that ridiculous smile for?” Nic questioned as she threw another pillow at me and snapped me out of Trent coma.

  “Would you stop doing that?! Geesh!” I threw it back in her direction and then climbed off the bed. I honestly didn’t even realize that I had been grinning like the Cheshire cat while texting with Trent. I can’t help but smile when I talk to him. Or think of him. Man, I’m going down in flames. “I’m just excited for tomorrow. That’s all.” I lied.

  “Yeah, you’re excited to see Trent.” Ally winked at me as she stood up and yawned.

  “Oh, stop it! I’m going to wash off this goo and go to bed.” I said, turning and walking into the bathroom.

  “Wait for us!” Nic yelled, as she and Ally followed me into the bathroom. Surprisingly, they both stayed quiet and spoke no more on the Trent topic. We all took turns washing off our masks and left the bathroom.

  As I was straightening out my sleeping bag on the floor, I noticed Nic standing in the door of the bathroom, just staring at me. “Yes, Nic?”

  “Well, we haven’t really gotten to talk about you two this week with everything going on... You really like him, I can tell.” She came over and proceeded to unroll her pink sleeping bag beside mine.

  “Maybe... I don’t know. It’s way too early. We just met.” I avoided eye contact with her as I spoke quickly. She knows me too well and would be able to see right through my act, if I looked her in the eye.

  When I finally glanced back up, I saw Nic standing, hands on hips, with an eyebrow raised and her lips tightened into a hard line. Ally had already climbed into her sleeping bag and was watching with amusement.

  “I so do NOT want to discuss this right now, I’m tired.” I pleaded, but Nic’s face showed no sign of her letting this go. “Look, it honestly doesn’t even matter how I feel. I’m NOT going to allow myself to get hurt again, no matter how much I like him. I... I don’t believe in this stuff and I am NEVER getting married, but YOU ARE! TOMORROW, in fact! So, let’s get some sleep, so we can be sure to fully enjoy your big day.” I don’t really know who I’m trying to convince more that I’m not falling for Trent, me or her.

  With a huff, Nic slid into her sleeping bag. “Fine, but when I get back from my honeymoon, we are going to have a nice, LONG chat about your feelings. C’est compris?”

  “Oui.” I agreed, knowing full well that Nic will be in Antigua for a week on her honeymoon and I will have plenty of time to prepare for the master interrogator that is Nicolette Beauchemin. Well, it will actually be Nicolette Tremblay. Still not used to that...

  I walked over to my bed in order to pick up my cell phone and pressed a button to make the screen illuminate, so I could turn off the overhead light.

  “Goodnight, Ally. Goodnight, Nic.” I said, turning off the lights and carefully shimmying my way into my sleeping bag.

  “Goodnight.” Ally and Nic murmured in unison.

  As we snuggled further into our sleeping bags, there was a light knock on the bedroom door. It opened slightly and I could see my mom’s auburn head thanks to the light coming in from the hallway.

  “Oh, sorry girls, I didn’t realize you were already in bed.” She whispered.

  “It’s okay, Mom, we’re not asleep yet.” I said, propping myself up on my elbows.

  “Well, I know you asked about my old Ouija board earlier, so I sent your father back up to the attic. Here it is, sweetie.” She reached in and placed an old brown box on my dresser.

  Yes, I know, Ouija boards are so cliché and completely fake, but I was curious
about the whole “paranormal” aspect of the game thanks to my new boyfriend. What harm could there possibly be in playing a stupid board game?

  “Thanks, Mom!” I jumped and hugged her before she padded down the hallway toward the master bedroom.

  “Nic, Ally!” I loudly whispered, closing my door. “Who’s up for a quick game?” I grabbed the box and tip-toed back to my sleeping bag.

  “Oh, I guess I am. I mean, why not? This is my last single girl sleepover.” Nic conceded.

  Reaching under my bed, I pulled out my LED lantern which I always kept stowed under there in case of power outages. I smiled mischievously at my two friends as the light flickered on. They both sat up and scooted closer to me until we had formed a small triangle.

  “How do we play?” Ally questioned, as I opened the box and placed the wooden board on top of my sleeping bag.

  “I don’t know. I’ve never played before.” I shrugged. “Let me ask Trent.”

  I saw Nic roll her eyes, as I picked up my phone to send a quick text to him.

  * hey, how do you play the Ouija game? *

  Nic huffed in annoyance and I raised an eyebrow at her theatrics.

  “Oh, come on, Nic. The guy’s a ghost hunter. I’m sure he plays with it all the time.” Ally said, tucking a strand of blonde hair that had gone astray from her ponytail behind her ear.

  Nic and I looked at each other with wide eyes and then exploded into laughter, our minds twisting Ally’s words into complete and utter vulgarity.

  “Ugh! Get your minds out of the gutter!” Ally playfully shoved us both.

  I felt my phone vibrate on my thigh, so I quickly picked it up, eager to get the game under way.

  * You talking about a SPIRIT BOARD? *

  * Yes, how do you use it? *

  * YOU DON’T *

  * Trent *

  * I’m serious, Paige. Spirit boards are bad news. Why are you asking? *

  * No reason. Thanks *

  * Paige, don’t mess with something you know nothing about *

  * Oh, come on! You’ve seen one scary movie, you’ve seen them all. It’s just a stupid game *