So, he’d been trying to build a spine, but it was a work in progress.
Tristan figured that she’d been calling to find Rain, since he’d cut her off and moved in with Mason, but she hadn’t contacted Tristanoncesince the breakup. She hadn’t even shown up to say goodbye when he’d started the trail. Why would he help her with anything? She was on her own now.
But she’d never been good at taking no for an answer, and a few weeks later, on the way to his first day at The Pointe, he got a call from an unknown number and stupidly answered it, thinking it was someone from the wedding hall.
“Tris? Guess who!”
“Eve?” he sputtered without thinking. She must’ve used a different phone to get around being blocked. “Why are you calling me?”
“Come on, Tris. Not even a helloooo?”
He winced at her voice. Was it always that annoying? When he’d first met her, she’d seemed so free-spirited and fun, like a goddess, but she’d actually love-bombed him for years and then used his kindness against him, so he stayed silent, wanting nothing to do with her.
“Fiiiiiiine,” she drawled. “Listen, I just need one teeny-weeny favor. I can’t find Rainy.”
“He doesn’t want to talk to you.” Tristan could hear her huff through the phone, and he shook his head, turning right.
“I’m hismother. And you know where he is,” she hissed, her demeanor instantly changing.
He could deny it, but she wouldn’t believe him.
“I’m going to find him.” Her voice remained low, threatening, and Tristan reminded himself that he was currently building a backbone.
“Leave him alone, Eve.” Pulling up to the wedding hall, he parked away from the building.
“I know you still talk to him.” She pitched her voice soft and sweet again, and he hated himself for ever thinking that he loved her. “Tell him Josh kicked me out.”
Josh? The last Tristan had heard, she was with someone named Gage.
She sniffled as if she were crying. “He promised me everything and it turned out he was married. I have no place to live! I need money.”
And there it was.
Gathering all the strength he’d vowed to have once he was off-trail, Tristan blurted, “I can’t help you,” and ended the call, quickly blocking her again.
Now he was upset for his first day of work, but he’d shown up super early, so he took some time to calm down, and once he felt ready, he brushed off the lapel of his tux jacket and headed inside.
As soon as he stepped through the glass doors, a petite woman with a sharp, green gaze and commanding energy sized him up.
“Hello, I’m Tristan.” He held out his hand. “And you must be Marci.”
“You’re perfect, that’s what you are,” she smirked as they shook hands, and he felt like he’d somehow aced another interview. “I’ve only heard good things from Rain.”
“He’s bragging. I just do my best.”
She stared at him for a few seconds, and that smirk bloomed into a smile.
“Okay.” She clapped her hands together. “I’m pretty sure that Owen hasn’t given you the lowdown on how this place works, but I’m the heart, and he’s the brains.” Her smile turned dangerous. “I’m also the brains. John, the owner, only shows up once a year, and he’ll probably fly in to meet you pretty soon. Prepare yourself because he’s a rude bastard,buthe has a heart of gold.”
“Rain’s told me a little about him.” Tristan sort of looked forward to seeing the man in person.
“Honestly? He’s harmless,” she laughed before giving him a rundown on his duties as maître d’, and Tristan took notes in a small book, which seemed to impress Marci even more.
He learned that he’d be in training for a bit before shadowing Marci on some small parties once The Pointe reopened. Then, he’d do three of his own so he could polish his skills for Valentine’s Day, when he’d be maître d’ for Marci’s wedding - the biggest event of the year.
But the pressure didn’t get to Tristan because The Pointe had a unique energy. Marci had introduced him to anyone who passed by, and the staff seemed content and excited. He’d had some nice gigs in the past, but this was already exceeding his expectations.
Marci promised Tristan a tour and a kitchen meeting once he came back from his break, which he took outside despite the freezing temperatures. Checking his phone, he sighed in relief when he saw that Eve hadn’t called again.
