Love Me Now by Celeste O. Norfleet Page B

already gotten, what, how many of your friends and family?” Joshua stood to leave.
    â€œNah, none of that matters. I’m too fast for her. You see, my theory is if you move fast enough and see her moves in advance, there’s no way she can get you.”
    â€œDidn’t your cousin J.T. say the same thing?”
    â€œAh yes, but J.T. got distracted. That’s not gonna happen with me, I assure you,” Trey said smugly as he stood and followed Joshua out the door. “I’ll be down in the nursery.”
    Joshua shook his head and watched Trey go. He headed to his own office just down the corridor. He and Trey had also been friends, although the bond of brotherhood was delayed for years. A product of an illicit affair, Joshua had the same father as Trey, a man they both despised and with whom they never communicated.
    They met in prep school and even then Trey was a master planner. Usually quiet and reserved in public, he was often misunderstood. The press branded him the Iceman, cold and unfeeling. Notably, they continued to write that he stabbed at his competition, decimating them into oblivion. But the truth about Trey was known to the small inner circle of family and friends around him. He was nothing like that.
    Trey was a fiercely private man. Public interviews were rare, as he was often distrustful of those whom he didn’t know. He’d been burned and used once too often. Trey had learned too much of human nature. Those who took, he took first. In business, he never went after a company unless they first made a move on him. The Whitaker incident was a perfect example. To stop Whitaker was to take him down completely. He had no choice.
    Had James Whitaker been up-front, he would still have his company and still be enjoying success. Instead, he greedily wanted more. And that was his failure. It was a blow because Trey actually liked the old guy. But greed was often a man’s downfall.
    Joshua knew that Trey had great insight. When it came to business he saw beyond the surface. Joshua chuckled to himself as he sat down at his desk. Shame that Trey didn’t have that same insight now or with Mamma Lou. As of this morning, he was already a goner.
    He obviously didn’t have a clue. Just like J.T., he’d been distracted since the second he walked into the office. There was no way the old Trey wouldn’t have made the connection between the last names. Obviously he had no idea that he was already a goner. The only thing left to do now was start planning the bachelor party, and have his tuxedo cleaned and pressed.
    Trey smirked and chuckled as he took the elevator down to the second floor. He was completely assured of his invulnerability. Mamma Lou had no idea with whom she was dealing. Sure, all the other guys had gotten themselves trapped—albeit loving traps—but not him. He had no intention of taking that walk.
    A few minutes later Trey walked into the Li’l Tykes nursery, located on the second floor of the office building. He had added the nursery a few years ago when he noticed some of his employees having child-care problems.
    He stood at the window and saw Mrs. Thatcher, his new nanny, sitting with the twins and a few other children. The place was full. He walked in. Several workers immediately looked up, smiled and nodded. He returned their gesture then walked over to Mrs. Thatcher and the twins.
    â€œSo, how are the three of you getting along?”
    â€œFamously,” Mrs. Thatcher said happily. “They are adorable. And just like twins, I believe they have that psychic connection.”
    â€œYeah, tell me about it,” Trey said as he sat down at the small table. “Here’s the contract as per our discussion. Ibelieve you’ll find everything in order. But, by all means, have your attorney look it over.”
    â€œI’m sure that won’t be necessary. I’ve been told that you’re an honorable man.” She pulled a