Unimpressed, I pinned him with a hard stare. “You wanna tell me what’s so damn funny?”
It took far longer than I would have liked for him to get himself under control. Somewhat under control. When his gaze met mine, he still sputtered out a sound.
“So, is this the first time the fairer sex tried to drown you in wine?” His lips did that twitchy thing again.
Irritation had me grinding my teeth.
It happened an hour ago, how the hell does he…? Ah, yes.
“Enzo called?”
More lip twitching. “Well, yes. But even if he hadn’t, I would’ve known anyway.”
He pulled out his phone, and after poking the screen a few times, he slid it in front of me.
Unfolding my arms, I scanned the article. Three quarters of the page was filled with a photo of me. My face scrunched up, waiting for the ruby red liquid to hit my skin.
Was it skill or luck that the photographer managed to snap the picture as the wine gracefully arched through the air?
Not even bothering with what the headline said, I tossed the device back to Rafe. “She was upset because I didn’t want to gosteady.”
My friend shook his head. “This is not good, Tristan. You’re about to make partner. Everything you do represents the firm.”
He wasn’t wrong. But the partnership was as good as mine. Mr. Livingston had hinted at it enough times. I simply had to get better at telling the women I spent my nights with that they weren’t going to get anything other than that.
“What do you want me to say, Rafe? I can’t control how people react to the things I say.”
He ran his hands down his thighs, picking at imaginary lint. “No, but you can controlhowyou say it.”
I made a noise. Again, he wasn’t wrong, but I wouldn’t give the shithead the satisfaction of admitting it. “You just come here to lecture me or…”
“Came to check if you wanted to celebrate after the announcement.” His lips twitched for the third fucking time. “And to see if you were still covered in wine.”
“Bastard.”
“Don’t let my father hear you; you’ll confirm his beliefs I couldn’t possibly be his son.”
He’d said it in a light tone, but I knew better. Behind his overly friendly smile and nonstop jokes, the guy had serious issues. We all did. Although Liam seemed to be working through his since he’d married Everlee.
“Gotta go. I have a meeting across town.” Rafe got to his feet and held out his hand. “Congrats, man. I know what this partnership means.”
I took his hand. “Thanks.”
It should’ve been easy to throw myself into work once he left, but I couldn’t focus. My thoughts ran rampant. The partnership. How my father would react when he found out the news. Kate and those damn sad eyes.
“Fuck.”
Leaning back in my chair, I scraped a hand over my face. I was certain I’d seen her sad over the years. I must have. She’d worked for me for almost five years. None of those times bugged me.
So, what the heck was different now?
Since staring into the damn void wouldn’t give me any answers, I straightened and picked up the phone. It only rang once before she answered.
“What do you need?”
Was it my imagination, or did her voice have a slight wobble to it. Or maybe my brain was connecting dots that weren’t there.
“Tristan?”
