And speaking of Nana and Mickey, I need to call them to let them know how I’m doing and to reassure them that I’m fine.
I clear my throat and sit up in bed, trying not to look or feel sexy. Nana might know just from the sound of my voice what I’d been doing last night by using her grandmother powers. And this morning, come to think of it.
Idiot, there’s no way she can tell that you’ve been making love non-stop, the voice in my head chides. Still, I shudder just at the thought of her knowing about my night of passion.
Okay. Let’s just do it.
I pick up the phone and dial the number to our landline in the Bronx.
Nana answers on the second ring. “Oh, Trina! Mickey and I were getting worried.” In the background, I can hear my little brother. For once, he’s not coughing. Instead, he’s saying something I can’t make out too clearly. Whatever it is, he sounds excited and that makes me smile.
“I left a message for you last night, Nana.”
“Yes, I heard it. That you have another interview, a third one you said?” Doubt threads through her voice.
My fingers cross as I launch into the lie that now seemed to keep growing more complicated. “Yes. The job is very competitive and they just want to get a good look at me, I guess.” I suppose that’s not a complete fib.
Through the phone, Nana snorts. Oh my god! Does she suspect something? I hold my breath.
“Just be careful, honey. There are a lot of big city fast-talkers down there in Manhattan. Don’t fall for any of their fast-talking.” It sounds like she’s about to wag her finger at me, something she’s done a million times before. “You’re a good girl. Just keep your head on straight and everything will be all right.”
How do I tell her I’m not a good girl anymore? I spread my legs for a billionaire and I loved every second of it. And even worse, the moment he gives me the chance to do it again, I’ll be more than ready.
“It’s okay, Nana. I’m being very careful. If things work out the way I plan, then we won’t have to worry about money for a while. Okay?”
But Nana is silent for a long moment. When she speaks again, her voice is shaky. “Don’t think you have to do just about anything to keep us out of the poorhouse, Trina. No matter what, we’ll be okay. We stick together, you hear?s”
I bite my lip to stop myself from bursting out with the truth. We won’t be okay if we carry on like we’ve been. Mickey needs medicine and I’ve noticed how fewer and fewer vegetables end up in the kitchen. We can’t afford them anymore. Tears burn my eyes and flow down my face. But no, I’ll let Nana speak her piece.
“Trina, my dear,” Nana continues, “don’t do anything down there in that big city you can’t be proud of when you’re back up here with me and Mickey, okay? We love you.”
Selling myself to a bunch of billionaires may not be something I will be proud of in the long run, but if it helps Nana and Mickey, that’s all I need to keep my head help up high. Taking care of my family is more important than anything else. My body doesn’t matter. And certainly not my pride.
Twisting the fabric of my robe between nervous fingers, I imagine myself on the auction block. It couldn’t be any different than when I got on that dais in front of Grayson and slipped off the golden dress. Only in the future, it’ll be other men looking at me and touching me. I’m willing to suffer through that so that my little brother can get his medicine and my Nana can enjoy her old age without stress. “I won’t do anything that won’t let me look myself in the eye, Nana. Don’t you worry,” is my soft promise.
More silence. It’s like she can read my mind and already knows what I’m doing here. But the important thing is that she isn’t trying to stop me.
We talk for a few minutes longer, then I chat with Mickey about his schoolwork and the giant kite he wants for his next birthday. I promise him we’ll get him the biggest kite there ever was and fly it all over Central Park.
After we hang up, I feel even more determined about what I’m doing. Nana will understand it all in the end. At least, that’s what I keep telling myself. Especially because right now, despite what might happen with other men in the Billionaire’s Club, I’m happy. And I’m halfway in love with Grayson Knight already, despite only having met him.
A sigh escapes my lips.
Just the sound of his name on my lips makes my entire body ache, and in the sexiest way. With a shake of my head, I dismiss the call with my Nana. I’m helping her and Mickey and that’s that.