Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 134706 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 674(@200wpm)___ 539(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134706 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 674(@200wpm)___ 539(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
I grab my elastic band and pull my hair up into a messy bun.
I look a complete disaster, and I put my arms out wide. “Still want to be my boyfriend?”
He looks me up and down and smiles mischievously. “Come to think of it . . .”
I giggle as he takes me into his arms. He kisses me as I wrap my arms around his neck. “I like having you here,” he whispers as he holds me close.
“I like being here.” Our lips touch, and I smile. “Impersonating you could be my new hobby.”
He chuckles as he pulls me by the hand. “I’m fucking starving, woman.”
We ride the elevator downstairs, and luckily nobody is in the foyer. I glance down at myself and cringe. Oh my God, I look appalling.
He takes my hand, and we walk out onto the street. So different to where I live. I catch sight of our reflection in the window, and I have to bite my lip to stop my huge goofy smile. We are holding hands in public. We’re really going to try this relationship thing.
Is this happening?
We turn the corner, and my eyes widen in horror. “Oh no, Tristan,” I whisper. The street is busy and bustling. “I look ridiculous.”
He puts his arm around me and pulls me close. “Shut up, Anderson. You look beautiful to me.” He kisses my temple, and I smile against him. “Just fucked—suits you.”
I smile up at my handsome date. He makes me feel beautiful. Never once since we’ve been together have I ever felt uncomfortable in my skin with him. Everything between us just feels so organic and natural. “What do you feel like, babe?” he asks as he looks along the street.
“Whatever. I like all food.” I smile.
He leads me farther down the street. The restaurants are all trendy and hip. Beautiful people are everywhere. “Thai?” he asks.
“Uh-huh.” I shrug. “Sounds good.”
We go in, and he orders. The foyer is packed with people, so we go back out on the street to wait. He is standing behind me with his arm around my neck, and we hear, “Tristan.”
We both turn to see a beautiful blonde woman. She’s wearing a tight black leather skirt that sits just above her knees with sky-high stilettos and a fitted hot-pink top. Her perfect blonde hair is styled to perfection, and I think she just might be the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen.
He smiles broadly. “Melina, hi.” He kisses her on the cheek as I stand back.
Her eyes come to me, and she looks me up and down.
“Melina, meet Claire,” he introduces me. “My girlfriend.”
Oh shit, he’s telling people already? Can’t I at least get used to it myself first?
Her mouth drops open as she stares at me. After a beat, she remembers her manners and puts her hand out. “Hi, I’m Melina . . . the ex-girlfriend.”
Oh fuck.
The blood drains out of my face. I look like shit.
Her attention goes to Tristan. “I didn’t know you were seeing anyone.”
“Yes.” Tristan smiles and puts his arm around my shoulders and pulls me close. “Claire and I have been together for a couple of months, very happy. How are you doing? Are you seeing anyone?”
I just want the earth to swallow me up . . . this is his ex-girlfriend . . . what the actual fuck does he see in me?
Her eyes come back to me, and I can see she’s thinking the exact same thing. “No, still processing things.” Her eyes turn back to Tristan. “I haven’t seen you out in a long time.”
“No, I haven’t been out. I spend a lot of time at Claire’s on Long Island,” he lies.
I don’t know what’s going on here, but I feel like he’s giving her a message of some sort.
“Long Island.” She frowns as she looks between us.
“Yeah, well, Claire’s got kids, so it’s good for them out there.”
Her eyes widen in horror. “You have kids?”
Oh hell, please earth . . . swallow me up. “Yes.” I fake a smile. “Three boys.”
Her eyes go back to Tristan in question. “Your mother didn’t mention any of this to me.”
He smiles casually. “Yeah, well, it’s a bit awkward for poor Mom to be in the middle. You probably should start cutting ties with her.”
Oh . . . realization hits. She wants him back and has been best friends with his mother to try to weasel back in.
She blinks, as if not able to believe what he has just said.
Awkward.
“I’m going to check on our order.” I smile. “Lovely to meet you, Melina.”
“Likewise,” she says deadpan.
“I’m coming, babe,” Tristan says as he grabs my hand. “Bye, Melina. Lovely to see you.” He kisses her on the cheek.
I walk into the restaurant, and he comes in and stands behind me and puts his arms around my neck. I glance over to see Melina stopped still on the street, staring at us through the window.