Playing Passion's Game by Lesley Davis Read Free Book Online Page B

amused to find Elton with Kayleigh fast asleep in his arms, her head on his shoulder.
    “Guess we wore her out,” she said as they walked back to Juliet’s car.
    “She hardly slept all night, she was so excited about today.” Juliet opened the car door and Elton carefully lowered Kayleigh into the front seat and fastened her seat belt. She never made a murmur.
    “When that kid sleeps, she’s dead to the world,” he said.
    “The sleep of the innocent,” Monica said, hooking her arm back through Elton’s once his charge was settled.
    Elton gave Trent a look she knew all too well. “I need to ask you a huge favor. Will you be able to finish up at the hall without me? I would really like to take Monica out for a drink.”
    Trent nodded. “Sure, go ahead.”
    “We’ll help you finish up, Trent,” Rick and Zoe said.
    “Haven’t you got somewhere else to be?”
    “No, not really. And Sam here can help wrap the controllers. We’ll see you in there.”
    The threesome headed over toward the hall. Trent gave Elton the thumbs up. “There you go, all sorted. Those three will pick up your slack.”
    “I owe you one,” Elton said.
    Monica kissed Juliet’s cheek and promised not to wake her when she came home. She held out a gloved hand to Trent, who shook it dutifully.
    “It was wonderful to meet you, Trent.”
    “Likewise, Monica. Something tells me I’m going to be seeing you a whole lot more.” She smirked at Elton’s uncharacteristic blush. “Elton, just make sure that trophy makes its way into work tomorrow unscathed. We’ll want it on display before the doors open.”
    “I’ll remember.” They waved good-bye and began to walk away, already in deep conversation.
    “It’s really a shame those two didn’t hit it off,” Trent mused at their departure. “I’m sure they would have made a lovely couple.”
    “I’ve never seen Monica so instantly smitten. It’s nice to see her happy. She’s a good friend and deserves to find a nice guy.”
    “Elton’s the best,” Trent said. “And he’s a gentleman, so Monica is in good hands.”
    Juliet leaned back against her car. “So what are you going to do now after such an exciting day?”
    Trent tucked her hands into her coat pockets and rocked back on her heels a little. “I’ve got to help pack everything away again. I’m usually chief cable layer. Now I get to roll everything back up.”
    “And then?”
    “Then I go home and prepare for a busy day at work tomorrow.”
    “You have to work on a Sunday?”
    “This week, yes. I’m covering for one of the guys there. He has a wedding to go to so I’m taking his shift.”
    “That’s very nice of you.”
    Trent shrugged. “I don’t have the same commitments as some of the others. I can usually swap or change at a moment’s notice.” Trent peered into the car window to make sure Kayleigh was still sleeping. “You sure she’s asleep?”
    Juliet nodded. “She’s out for the count. Why?”
    “Is it her birthday soon?”
    “Next weekend,” Juliet said. “Is there nothing she didn’t tell you on that walk back home?”
    She didn’t tell me just how beautiful you are , Trent thought as Juliet’s eyes danced with amusement. “Have you gotten her a present yet?”
    “No. My parents and I are stumped as to what to buy her.”
    Trent chewed her bottom lip and debated her next words. “I can tell you exactly what she wants, but she’s worried you won’t get it for her because of the whole moving thing and the fact you usually stick her with girly presents.”
    Juliet rolled her eyes at Trent’s statement. “My parents can’t quite get used to having a more ‘energetic’ daughter this time around. I’m told I was much easier to look after.” Juliet closed her eyes a moment. “But then, they didn’t have me so late in life.”
    “There does appear to be quite a gap between your ages.”
    “Kayleigh was an ‘oops’ baby but very much wanted by my parents. They had her when I was