Page 46 of Tricking an Introvert

Tessa

"Are we there yet?"

"Seriously, ‘are we there yet?’ What are you, twelve?"

Tessa pouted. She'd been reluctant to take this trip from the very beginning. She didn't like cars at the best of times and she definitely didn't like them when her brother was driving, but he'd insisted. He said he always lost games when she didn't attend, or some other bullshit.

Tessa had given in because she needed out. Out of the city, out of her apartment. She'd always loved the pied a terre; it had been her little oasis. Now everything in it reminded her of Cole—that he wasn't there. She’d pushed him away for no other reason than the fact that she was scared. Terrified, in fact.

She liked him. She liked him way too much for someone she'd met just weeks ago. And she missed him; his absence was palpable everywhere, even here in Lewis's car. She was thinking about her last long car ride in the Tesla. It had been considerably more comfortable, and Cole was a much better driver than Lewis.

"Wait, where are we?"

They were supposed to be heading for Boston. Though Tessa didn't pay much attention to the road, it didn't really look like they were heading in the right direction. For one, there was a lot more water than expected around them.

"Is that Long Island? Are we picking up someone?"

"Not quite. The Hamptons. And it's a drop-off service, actually."

She was utterly confused, especially when Lewis's Audi slowed down and came to a stop at the white gates in front of the driveway leading up to a distinguished manor house. As distinguished and manor-ish as anything in America could be. The Palladian structure with its two aisles, high-rise marble columns, and sculptures could give the White House a run for its money.

Lewis rolled down the window to ring, but the gates opened, and he began to accelerate again.

"Where are we?" Tessa frowned, at a loss.

"The Hamptons, already said so. Keep up, would you?"

"Okay. Why are we—"

In the Hamptons. That's what she'd been about to say. Just then, a small group came out of the manor, and while she didn't recognize the great majority of the well-dressed, handsome, young people assembled, she certainly knew the man leading them.

Before she found her voice, Cole opened the passenger door and lowered his frame to speak to Lewis. "How was the drive? Did you find the place easily?"

"Dude, there's like, ten houses—and this one stood out, trust me. It went just fine."

"Great. Are you still in time for your game?"

"Sure thing. I have, like, six hours to get there."

She'd known, she'd just known that Lewis was talking out of his ass when he'd said they needed to leave at one o'clock to make it in time.

Now that they were done with their bromance bonding, Cole smiled down at her. "Hey. Where's my favorite boy? I hope you brought him along."

Thus prompted, Beau barked from the back seat, popping his head up to lick Cole's hand.

Tessa should have suspected foul play when Lewis didn't protest at having a furry dog on his pristine car seat!

"Come on. Everyone's dying to meet you."

"Who's everyone? What are we doing here?"

Tessa should have sounded more put out about being kidnapped—or at least brought north under false pretenses—but she was mostly intrigued. What was going on?

"Please indulge me for a few hours. I have a point, I promise. Will you trust me?"

Still mostly confused, Tessa got out of the car, opening the door to let Beau out too.

"You're all good?" Lewis checked.

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