Chapter 112: New York

Thursday, January 5th, Afternoon

It was the second time this week Trin wanted to have lunch with her. That in itself was unusual, but there was something in Trin's text that told Fallon it was important. Luckily, Fallon was working from home today and her biggest debate was to go out to the island for the weekend. As a consequence of being the head of the family, Fallon had to deal with distant cousins that their only saving grace was they kept the Gold Coast and Hampton's place occupied. Other than that, they hoped and prayed Fallon and now Keni wouldn't carry on the family lineage. Fallon had good lawyers looking into alternatives, just in case.

Slowly, Fallon entered the restaurant, she had to get dressed up, this establishment frowned on lounge pants and a cropped sweatshirt on its patrons. So, Fallon strode in looking like what a thirty-two-year-old billionaire was expected to look like. The maître d' approached Fallon with the typical high-end service attitude.

"Afternoon, Ms. Stafford, Ms. Adams is waiting for you, shall I show you to the table?" he asked, with all the charm of someone trying to suck up. Fallon had to admit it felt good, sometimes, and money did sometimes have privileges.

"Yes, please," Fallon said, gently and ignored him when he told her his name. He led her to a table where Trin was waiting for her.

"May I take your coat, Ms. Stafford?" The Maître d' asked.

"Yes, you may," Fallon said and took off her coat. Her coat was handed off, and taken away. The Maître d' pulled out her chair, which Fallon took a seat.

Fallon didn't even pick up her menu, she already knew what she wanted. Looking across the table she studied her younger "sister". Trin looked around quickly and then lowered her menu.

"So, we could've done this at my place, why drag me out?" Fallon asked.

"I couldn't get to the village and I wanted to talk face to face," Trin said.

Fallon nodded, "This is serious," she said.

"Fal, be serious, and I'm nervous," Trin said.

"Okay, I'll bite, what are you nervous about?" Fallon said.

"I've been messaging this guy on an app, and I'm supposed to call him tonight," Trin said.

Fallon nodded, "Is that all?" she asked, "Well, Trin it's kind of like a band-aid, just rip it off quickly."

"Fallon, be serious, I'm not as experienced dating as you and most certainly than Ellie," Trin said.

"Other than he who shall not be named, who else did you date?" Fallon asked, unsure due to Trin keeping her dating life private, very private, mainly because of Wyatt.

"A guy here or there, but nothing serious, since he who shall not be named," Trin said.

"Well, I wouldn't call what you had with him dating," Fallon said.

"Sadly, neither would I," Trin replied.

Fallon shrugged and looked to the waiter. She ordered her drink and turned back to Trin. Trin ordered her drink and the waiter left. Fallon finally sighed.

"Trin, just be yourself, that's all you can be. Don't be me, you know how much of a mess I am. Don't be Ellie, that's self-explanatory. Don't be anyone but Trinity Paris Adams. Hell, he's probably just as nervous as you are," Fallon said.

"Thanks, Fal, I think," Trin said.

"You're welcome, I think," Fallon said, "So, what does Wyatt think of you going out on the dating market?"

"Well, he doesn't know," Trin said.

Fallon nodded, "Okay," she said, "You're going to have to tell him."

"I know, I do," Trin said.

"Anyway, what do you know about this guy?" Fallon asked.

Trin took out her smartphone, opened the app and set it to his profile. She slid the phone over to Fallon. Taking it, Fallon looked down and studied the image on the screen. She would every so often change the picture with a swipe of her manicured finger.

"He's cute," Fallon said.

Trin nodded, "I know, is it a trap?" she asked.

"You can't think that way, Trin," Fallon said.

"I know," Trin said, "I can't help it."

"Sometimes having mild OCD can be an issue," Fallon said.

"I don't have OCD," Trin said, "I'm just very particular."

"I'm not going to argue," Fallon said, as their drinks arrived, and they put in their lunch orders.

Trin looked at Fallon after the waiter left. "So, I heard you met a guy at that party you and Ellie went to, separately," she said.

Fallon shrugged, "He's an okay guy, been chatting with him, nothing serious yet," she said.

"You should go for it, Fal," Trin said.

Fallon shrugged, "I find we both tend to stay single for very valid reasons," she said.

"I have Wyatt," Trin said, "You've never explained to me yours."

"Simple, I want someone that wants me and not my money," Fallon said.

"Why did you let Cale go, then?" Trin asked.

"We wanted different things," Fallon said.

Trin laughed, "Look at us, we have to live through Ellie's adventures," she said.

"Sadly, I wish that that statement was untrue," Fallon said.

"So, I can justify this as a business lunch, let's talk about New York Fashion Week," Trin said.

Fallon nodded, "What about Fashion Week?" she asked.

"Want to do the show? It could increase your dating stock," Trin said.

"Trin, I'm too old for that, and I believe I've already turned down your mom," Fallon said.

"Well, if you walk the catwalk, you can tell Mister Loft Party you're a billionaire model," Trin said.

"Trinity Paris," Fallon said.

"Fallon…I don't think I've ever learned your middle name," Trin said.

"It's Imogene," Fallon said.

"Imogene, as in like the name Uncle Lucas uses for Izzy in his books?" Trin asked.

"Yeah, pretty much," Fallon said.

"No wonder you've never shared it," Trin said.

"Yeah, kind of," Fallon said.

"Come on, Fallon, walk for me," Trin said, "You use to have so much fun doing it."

"God, what can I do to get you to stop asking me about it?" Fallon asked.

"Say, yes to doing it," Trin said.

"Is that all?" Fallon asked.

"No," Trin said.

"Then what else?" Fallon asked.

"You have to give it a try with Brooklyn Party Guy," Trin said.

"Fine, but I have a counter condition," Fallon shot back.

"What is it?" Trin asked.

"Be honest with Wyatt about your dating app guy," Fallon said.

"Ok, deal?" Trin asked.

"Deal," Fallon agreed, just as their lunch arrived and their "meeting" ended.