Page 36 of The Deception: Hercules Valentine and I

Detected

Paisley Grove

Iforgot to call Treasure last night. I try her number as I walk up the High Line on my way to work, but I reach her voicemail. “This is Treasure Grove. Leave a message.”

I grunt, surprised. Her recording is different, more mature than it used to be. I guess even female Peter Pans have to grow up one day. Her standard message for years was “This is TG. Leave a message, biatch.” Londyn, her mother, has unsuccessfully tried to convince Treasure to change her greeting for many years, and finally, it’s happened. Not only is Treasure’s new greeting more appropriate, but she sounds so professional too.

“Hey, Treas.” I look up after a snowflake dabs my forehead. “Sorry I forgot to call you last night. What's going on? You sounded worried. Oh, if you want me to be your maid of honor or a bridesmaid, the answer is yes. Love you, bye.”

Two hands clamp down on my shoulder, and I jump, startled.

“Who do you love?” Lake asks.

“Holy shit,” I say with a hand over my raging heart. “Please stop sneaking up on me. This is New York City, you know.”

She laughs. “Sorry, hon. I’ll squawk a warning before I do it again. Like this…” Her mouth forms an exaggerated O as she lets out a strange birdcall.

I chuckle. “You’re crazy.”

Her eyes are giddy. “So, who do you love?”

“My cousin,” I say, choosing to tell the truth.

“Ooh, she has a cousin.”

“Don’t we all?”

She’s simpering like whatever she has to say is stuck in her throat and it won't come out.

“Wow, so, the secret LC,” I say, smiling.

“I know. It’s stupid, huh? I’ll reveal myself soon. Especially now.”

“Oh,” I say, intrigued. “Did you make progress with Mason last night?”

Her smile broadens. “Mm-hmm.” She looks like a sweet little girl who’s just been given a lollipop for being good.

“Is he the reason you’re still working at VTI?”

Lake wraps an arm around my waist. “Well, I don’t work at VTI for the money. Last night, my patience paid off in a big way.”

My eyes expand as I gasp. “Sex?”

She shakes her head. “More than sex. I took him on a carriage ride in Central Park. We walked on the frozen pond. And then we sneaked into Sheep Meadow and made love on the grass. Being with him was everything I knew it would be.”

We enter the VTI building’s rotating drum.

“Wow. That sounds life changing,” I say, thinking about me and Hercules in the elevator.

“It was. But I won’t quit until we’re done withShop-a-Lot.” She sighs. “I have to tell my dad too. But hey, why did you leave early?”

I look down at the cement as we walk across the lobby.How do I tell her? And should I mention screwing our company’s owner in the elevator?That doesn’t seem kosher.

“Lark Davenport?” I quickly look over to where Hercules welcomed me yesterday morning. He’s standing in front of the door to the executive elevators. “Ladies, over here.”

Lake looks at me with wide eyes.

“Come on,” I say.