A tiny prick of guilt pierced me. It never dawned on me that being that tall and stuck in a middle seat might be torturous. "That's awful. Truly awful."
"Itwasawful." He exhaled, shaking his head. "But you know what? I didn't care. I just wanted to get back here in time to cook dinner. Because there was no way in hell I was missing this date."
I stilled.
His words were so casual, so easy, but something about the way he said them made my stomach flip. He'd endured a painful flight just to be here. Just to have dinner with me.
Guilt twisted through me again, harder this time. I had done all of this to him.
But instead of raging about it, instead of snapping at hotel managers or making some assistant's life hell—something I'd seen countless times in my world—he was here, smiling at me, making a joke out of it all.
That wasn't who I remembered.
"You seem very entertained by my suffering," Tristan said, amused.
I forced a casual smile, reaching for my fork again. "Oh, definitely."
"Glad I could make you laugh," he said softly. "It was worth it all just to see your beautiful smile."
He grinned and went back to his meal like he hadn't just said that, like he hadn't just made me doubt myself and question everything.
Sixteen
Tristan
She looked so beautiful, I was having a hard time not staring at her. Telling my travel sob story, hearing her laugh and offer sympathetic words, it seriously did make all the suffering I'd endured worthwhile.
Having someone to talk to at the end of the day, getting it all out, had been cathartic, something I deeply missed in my life. Although how could I miss something I'd never had?
It was just a pipedream, a wild idea that it sure would be fucking amazing to have.
I studied everything about her while she ate, trying not to give her a complex or make her feel self-conscious. She was somehow even prettier than she was in my memories, something I didn't think was possible, her curves shown off to perfection in that dress.
That goddamn dress that hugged her gorgeous body.
And even worse. I knew what was under there already. It was so hard to control myself, but I had to if I had any shot of making this work. She was already skittish around me, and I had no fucking clue why. It was driving me insane.
Archie came out then, yet another balancing act with our precious desserts in his hands. Why didn't he use the tray I'd specifically provided for this evening?
My elusive beauty's eyes lit up at the sight of the dark chocolate cheesecake as he finally set the plates down in front of us safely. He'd even remembered to do the drizzle of raspberry coulis. Although mine was a mess.
"I gave you the ugly one," he said to me, somewhat under his breath.
"Thanks." And I meant it. Hers was gorgeous.
"Ooh, this looks so good," she gushed. "The perfect finish."
I smiled at her, her face all lit up. Her enthusiasm was good for my soul, that was for sure.
"I have to admit, I didn't make this. Dessert isn't my thing. But I do know the best dessert places in the city."
She took a small bite, closing her eyes as she savored it. God, she was stunning. Her tongue darted out to get a bit of chocolate left behind on her pretty plump lower lip. I swallowed hard, the sight like catnip to me.
Archie cleared his throat next to me. "Where's my money, dude?" he asked.
Seriously? He wanted to be paid right this second? "I'll give you your fifty bucks later, bud."
"One hundred."
