“I had to drop off the cake and party favors.” He explained. His eyes searched mine warily.
It was definitely awkward, but not unbearable. We didn’t leave off on the best terms. I wondered if he was still mad. And I wondered what the hell I was thinking. My body still wanted his. I regret not wearing a bra with my shift dress, I felt my nipples tightening just from him looking at me.
“Oh. I didn’t know you were coming.” I said. He shrugged.
“Hadn’t planned on it.” It kind of warmed my heart, how sweet he naturally was. He was really kind to be doing all of this for them.
“You need help with those?” He gestured to the stack of empty flower bins. Ugh. I dreaded taking those out.
I wouldn’t deny I wanted to spend more time with him. But I was afraid I would lose control again. Better yet, I wasn’t sure I didn’t want to lose control.
“Um yes, please.”
It would help get me out of here faster anyway. I didn’t exactly want to be around when all the girls started piling in. He didn’t hesitate to start lifting the boxes and take them out. He was done in only a few minutes.
“They seem really excited.” I said.
“Yeah. Her sisters are wild though.”
He leaned against the pillar in front of me. Effortlessly relaxed. I wondered how well he really knew her sisters, I assumed a lot since him and Levi had been friends for over ten years.
“They’re just happy for her.” I teased the camellias even more. But I was ready to leave so I grabbed my bag and headed out.
“And jealous,” he countered.
I rolled my eyes. But I did see it in their faces sometimes.
I stopped outside to tell her I was finished. I stuck around for her to check it out, but she said it was perfect, so I was free to go.
“Thank you so much. I love it!” She hugged me, much to my surprise. She just didn’t seem like much of a hugger.
“No problem.”
Her mother thanked me too and I took my leave. I hadn’t noticed Tristan had left until I saw him leaning by my truck. My heart leapt towards him, quickening in pace. My fingers twitched as I approached him, looking like a god under the lowering
sun light.
“Hey.” I said.
He nodded at me. “Hey.”
“You’re still here.” I stated.
He nodded at me again. I could see it behind his eyes, there was so much he wanted to say. “You have a minute to talk?” He asked. I fiddled my keys in my hand, nodding once.
He stared back at me, stepping closer. He was about to speak, his lips parting but he stopped when we heard voices. The guests were arriving now, a bunch of women who made no secret of stopping and starring.
“In here.” He took me to the back of the truck. I unlocked the door and we climbed in.
The space was tight, but without the flower plenty of space for the two of us. He sat on the bench across from me, hunched over in the small space that didn’t fit his tall frame. I set my purse aside and crossed my legs nervously.
“I should apologize.” He said. My brows furrowed. I hadn’t expected him to say that at all.
His eyes stayed on mine before fleeting elsewhere, his jaw tightened. I cocked my head to the side, studying him. He was so handsome, even in the dim lighting that I was sure didn’t flatter my porcelain skin.
“You want to apologize? Why?”
I thought I should be the one apologizing.