Page 35 of Not Safe For Work

His whole vibe is the same from our meeting, perfectly polished from head to toe, all black everything. We almost match.

“I’m obviously not ‘free.’ My family is running this event.”

“I gathered as much from your speech. You look stunning by the way, in case no one else has said it yet.”

My cheeks burn at the compliment. He has such an easy confidence about him, the kind of confidence I would kill for.

“Thank you,” I reply.

“Nothing you don’t already know,” he muses. “I couldn’t help but notice you ate dinner alone. Mind if I join you for dessert?”

Before I can find a polite excuse to leave, my mother is back.

“Olivia, who’s your friend?”

“This is?—”

“Tristan Cross.” He cuts me off, standing to offer Mom his hand.

“Oh!” she exclaims. Then drops to a whisper. “I believe you’re about to win the 2007 Vega. Excellent taste.”

Eww. Is she flirting with him? My mom has always been a free spirit, completely uninhibited. I’m used to it, but the way she’s batting her eyelashes at my current prospect is giving me the ick.

The band has started playing and I think that maybe the noise will help me escape. I take one final bite of the raspberry mousse and stand.

“I actually need to?—”

“Dance with me.” Tristan cuts me off again. I can’t decide if it’s attractive or annoying when he attempts to finish my sentences.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Oh, don’t be silly,” Mom butts in. “I’m sure Olivia would love to dance with you.” Then she physically pushes me toward him like I’m a child who needs encouragement to play.

“Wonderful,” Tristan says, holding an arm out for me. Unfortunately, I latch on to him tighter than I mean to, but after Mom’s little shove, I’m having trouble balancing on these heels.

I love to dance. At home, in the kitchen, to the music everyone else finds so strange. Well, everyone except Gavin. The jazz band playing tonight isn’t really my jam. Tristan, on the other hand, seems completely in his element.

“Have I already mentioned how beautiful you look tonight?” he whispers, his mouth dangerously close to my ear. He’s placed one of my hands on his shoulder and seems to be holding it there for good measure. Until he lets it drop down to my waist.

“Yes, thank you,” I reply, my cheeks heating again. How the hell am I supposed to exude professionalism right now? “You’ll love the Vega,” I offer, wanting to talk about anything other than myself. “It’s always been my favorite of our collection.”

“I’m quite familiar with your wine. If I’d have known who your family was last week, I’m sure I would have been talkingyour ear off about the vineyard the entire meeting. I’m a bit of a collector.”

He takes hold of my free hand and spins me. The move is flawless with little effort, and I can’t help but grin as we come back together. He flashes his perfect white teeth, pleased with my response.

Maybe I shouldn’t be fighting so hard against this. I’m not sure if going out with Tristan would actually promise a closed deal, but it would make Mitch happy with me. And how bad could it be dating this man?

Tristan’s handsome, confident, he smells really nice. A date with anyone who enjoys good wine would be easy to endure. I meet his eyes as he grips my waist, trying to decipher if there’s something here worth exploring.

“You’re really good at this,” I admit, thankful for such a competent dance partner. He smirks and twirls me again.

Allowing myself to lean in a little closer, I imagine what a night with him would be like. Fancy dinner, fast car, delicious wine, definitely sex. By the way he’s looking at me I could probably convince him to find a coat closet right now.

Would he be like Ian? I can already see myself wearing a mask for him, not wanting any of my “quirks” to come out. Wanting to be as perfect as he seems.

It feels easy, slipping back into old habits. To wonder about where Tristan might take me, what kind of interesting people I’d meet in his circle. But would he make me laugh? Would he make mefeelbeautiful, or just let me hear it all the time?

I could justify a million reasons for testing the waters, for seeing where this could go, but that’s not who I am anymore. My choices are for me, not to please everyone else. And this isn’t who I want.

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