Page 23 of In a Perfect World

“What do you have?”

That made me laugh.“I have a wild best friend that I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world.”

“I know just what you mean,” he laughed back.

Yeah, this was such a bad idea.

Chapter 12

Kairo~

Even through the density of the trees, it was easy to see that the sun was about to set soon, and I had unreasonably mixed emotions about that.Triana and I had spent the entire day talking and getting to know one another, and I wasn’t ready for it to end.Even though this was the single worst idea of my life, I couldn’t deny the pressure in my chest whenever she smiled or laughed.

I also couldn’t remember the last time that I’d been this interested in a woman.Obviously, I’d been on dates before, and I’d even had a couple of lasting relationships in college, but I couldn’t remember the last time that I’d actually felt captivated like this.Not only was Triana beautiful, but she came across as sweet, smart, ambitious, and caring.She’d spoken of her college days, her brother, her job, and how her best friend, Sonia Torres, was a handful.

In turn, I’d spoken about my family, my brothers, Winston, and she’d been very interested in my father’s political views and how Sterling Acres thrived seamlessly.I’d also spoken about growing up as a twin, and how Leyden and I had driven Dallas crazy a lot of the time.It’d been easy to talk with her, and the way that she’d hung on every word had made me feel like the moments of my life mattered to someone besides me.

Not being able to warp time to my advantage, I said, “Well, it looks like the sun’s going to be going down soon, and I can’t have you walking all the way back to your car in the dark.”

Triana gave me a wistful smile.“No, I suppose not.”

I waited until she stood up, and when I did the same, I asked, “So, what about the answers to those problems of yours?Was I any help?”

“No,” she answered bluntly, though she laughed about it.“Not at all.”

“Well, maybe we have time for you to tell me what’s really going on,” I suggested.“Sometimes, a stranger’s ear is the best kind.”

Her face softened as she asked, “We’re still strangers?”

“No, baby,” I replied seriously, the endearment slipping again.“We’re not strangers.”

After a few seconds, she said, “My parents have placed me in a position where I have to choose between what they want for me and my own happiness.”I was already opening my mouth when she put her hand up to stop me.“And before you make it sound so simple, do not forget that I also work for them, and that they are not above dragging my brother into this mess.”

I scowled, not being able to identify.My family wasn’t like that, and I couldn’t imagine my parents ever forcing my hand.Sure, my mother would like to see us all married with children, and she wasn’t above overstepping at times, but she always respected our pushback.Both of my parents did their best to guide us while also allowing us to live our own lives.While it would upset them, if I ever seriously told my parents that I wasn’t ever interested in getting married or having kids, they’d deal with it.

“Well, what’s more important to you?Your happiness or theirs?”I asked.“What would bother you more, and what’s the worst-case scenario that could come from either choice?”