Got Your Number

the end of her bed. "I heard about all your trouble and wanted to come and see for myself that you were okay."
    So he did care. "Wh-when did you get here?"
    "I flew in about an hour ago."
    "Where's Darma?"
    "We're not together anymore."
    Her heart surged. "Why not?" Because he'd come to his senses and realized that Angora was the love of his life.
    "She wanted me to sign a prenup, and that was that." He gestured to her stomach. "How are you feeling?"
    "Better. I had my gallbladder removed, and a cup of gallstones."
    "Your mother and I warned you about eating like a garbage pail."
    If she hadn't gone on that diet before the wedding, she would've been fine. "Then I developed complications. An infection—doctor said he'd never seen one so bad."
    "Yeah, that can be serious. Did they have you on an IV?"
    "Until yesterday."
    "That explains why you're so bloated."
    She frowned. "Did you hear I was arrested for murder?"
    "Your mother said the charges were being dropped."
    "They are, but for a while, I was a primary suspect."
    He laughed. "Yeah, the police up here must be a bunch of clowns if they thought you were capable of murder. Everybody at the club had a big hoot over that one." He laughed again, dabbing at his eyes. What might have been a compliment was canceled out by his sarcasm—as if she weren't smart enough to pull off a murder.
    "I was the last person who saw the professor alive. We were on a date."
    He put his hands in his pockets. "Did the two of you, um...you know?"
    "Have sex? That's none of your business."
    Trenton cleared his throat. "The papers said you bought him at a bachelor auction or something."
    She finally smiled. "I hocked my engagement ring, so I had a little extra cash lying around."
    He pulled on his collar. "Okay, I deserve that. But I'll get you a bigger ring."
    "Huh?"
    "I made a big mistake, Angora, and I wouldn't blame you if you don't forgive me, but I want us to get back together."
    Mixed emotions filled her chest—hadn't she fantasized that he'd come crawling back to her?
    "We're perfect for each other, Angora. You know me, you know what I'm thinking."
    "I didn't know what you were thinking last Saturday."
    "After all these years of waiting, you didn't sleep with that man, did you?"
    She shook her head.
    He exhaled in relief. "See? Deep down you couldn't. You knew you were meant for me. We could have a small ceremony, then go on to Hawaii for say, ten days, and have a huge reception when we get back."
    "But I don't have a dress—"
    "I'll buy you a Versace."
    "And the church—"
    "Your mom said we could have the ceremony at your house."
    "You talked to my parents before you talked to me?"
    He sighed. "I knew I had to repair my relationship with the entire family. Your parents were very understanding. What do you say, Angora? We can move to Chicago and start new careers together. You'll love the shopping there."
    She lifted her chin. "I could move to Chicago all by myself."
    "But you'd have to rely on your allowance to get by."
    He was right, darn it. The job at the art agency was mostly commission, and it would take her a while to build a client list.
    "Marry me, Angora, and you'll live like a queen."
    "But Trenton...do you love me?"
    He scoffed. "Of course I love you. We're so much alike, not loving you would be like not loving myself."
    She bit into her lip and studied his face—he was so handsome, so smart, so well connected. And he had such good taste. She might look the rest of her life and not find anyone as wonderful as Trenton. And so what if he'd humiliated her—wouldn't she have the last laugh once they were married? She won him back , they would say at the club.
    Another knock sounded, and her parents appeared. Dee wore a hopeful expression. "Aren't you glad to see Trenton, darling?"
    She conjured up a smile.
    "And isn't it wonderful that the two of you will be able to work things out after all?"
    Marrying Trenton would make her mother so happy—it would certainly make up for all the trouble she'd caused them lately. That whole arrest scene had hit her father hard—he was looking old these days.
    And wasn't Chicago the chance to do something with her life? Okay, so the art world wasn't as glamorous as she'd imagined—most of the artists finger-painted to support their body-piercing addictions—but the Chicago job was a great opportunity and what else was she halfway qualified to do?
    "Yes," she said to her mother. "It's wonderful."
    Trenton's shoulders fell in relief