Page 60 of Bliss: Part 1
I shook his hand, but in the back of my mind, I couldn’t help wondering if he really meant that or if he was just saying it to be polite. Tyler had always been one of those genuinely nice guys, but people like him didn’t usually go out of their way to hang out with girls like me. And Tia? She was a few years older than me. I remembered her from school, always surrounded by people, always smiling, effortlessly popular. She was the girl everyone liked, and I was the girl who ducked out of side doors after last period to avoid the hallways.
Still, I knew Tia had a good heart. She had never been cruel, and neither had Tyler. So I didn’t feel anxious around them. Just a little unsure if they actually wanted me here.
I gave him a small smile. “I’m excited too. Thanks for inviting us.”
“Anytime,” Tyler said with a nod, then gestured for us to follow him. “Come on, let’s head out back. Pizzas are already on the way.”
He led the way through the house, and Dash and I trailed behind him. As we stepped inside, I immediately was blown away by the interior. Sleek but warm, full of light and high ceilings and polished floors. There were all these little decorative pieces tucked into shelves, glass sculptures, vases, framed photos, and the chandelier hanging above the grand entrance was enormous.
“Holy shit,” I murmured under my breath.
Dash shot me a grin and nudged my side gently with his elbow. Then he tipped his chin toward a massive wall of windows that looked out over the lake. “Wait ‘til you see the backyard.”
I didn’t even have time to respond. My mouth stayed open as we followed Tyler out through a set of glass double doors, and I was hit with a view that looked like it belonged on the cover of some luxury travel magazine. I’d seen places like this in movies and on the internet, but it never occurred to me that people in this town actuallylivedlike this.
The backyard was ridiculous. Not in a bad way, just...overwhelming. The lake stretched out in front of us, calm and glistening under the setting sun, the surface like glass. A huge patch of perfectly trimmed grass rolled down toward the water, with two small ornamental trees planted like they’d been placed there by a designer. And right in the center of it all was a large pool. It was long and rectangular, with a clear glass wall on one end that made it look like the water just spilled out into the lake.
On both sides of the pool were four matching sun loungers, umbrellas, and neatly folded towels. To the right was a small bar with five sleek stools lined up at the counter. It all looked like a resort. Like something you’d pay a fortune for to stay one weekend.
I didn’t even know where to look.
And just when I thought I couldn’t possibly be more overwhelmed, Tia appeared.
She walked toward us across the patio, barefoot, with the most radiant smile on her face. She looked like she belonged in this scene. Her dark hair was loose and shiny, her skin glowing in the sunlight, and her expression was so open, so kind, that I actually froze for a second.
Her and Tyler made sense together. Not just because they were both good-looking, but because they seemed to move through the world with the same calm, easy energy. Like nothing ever rattled them, and no one ever dared to disturb their peace.
“Bliss, hi,” she said as she reached me, her voice warm and friendly. She lifted both her arms slightly, silently asking if a hug was okay.
I hesitated for only a second before stepping forward. She was being sweet, and I wasn’t going to shut that down. I let her wrap her arms around me in a soft hug.
“Hi,” I said quietly.
“I was so excited to hear that you were coming too,” she said as she pulled back, but her hands stayed gently on my elbows. “I wouldn’t have wanted to sit out here with these two alone all evening.”
She gave my arms a little squeeze, and her gaze went to Dash for a split second.
Her voice lowered, but her smile stayed the same. “I’ve always admired your relationship with your family. You hanging out with Dash so much is truly nice to see,” she added. “I wish I was this close with my brothers and cousins.”
“Oh, uh…” My mind blanked for a second. Instantly, it went to the worst possible place. To all the moments that made my relationship with Dash and the otherstooclose. My intrusive thoughts practically begged me to say something unhinged, but I reeled them in with effort.
“I’m excited to be here,” I said instead, managing a normal smile.
Tia turned to greet Dash with a hug too, then led us over to a seating area by the pool. There were big, cushioned lounge couches with a low table in the center. I sank into one of the seats and turned toward the lake to take in the view. As much as I hated the idea of swimming inthislake, I couldn’t deny that the view right now was breathtaking.
“So, Bliss,” Tyler said after a few minutes, his tone casual but curious. I turned my head toward him. “Any big plans after summer?”
Normally, guys like him wouldn’t even pretend to care about my life. But Tyler wasn’t asking for show. His voice didn’t have that performative edge. He was looking at me like he genuinely wanted to know.
“I’ll be working atThe Old,” I told him with a tight smile.
“Ah, so no college?” he asked, and it wasn’t in a judgmental tone at all. Just matter-of-fact.
“No,” I said. “Never really planned to go to college.”
“It’s not all that special,” Tia said, jumping in. “If it weren’t for my parents, I wouldn’t have gone. I’m glad we’re graduating next year.”
“What would you have wanted to do instead?” I asked her.
