Page 26 of Untroubled Heart

I look at Beth in question, but she rolls her eyes and simply mouths to me, “Men.”

Jason returns with our drinks, sliding Beth’s martini across to her, then places a cocktail each in front of Mason and me. Baby pink liquid fills the glass, along with thin slices of lemon and deep pink rose buds floating on top.

“You’re drinking a cocktail?” Tristan arches an eyebrow at Mason.

I watch them both over the rim of my glass as I take a sip. The drink fizzes on my tongue as the fresh, zesty lemon collides with a creamy rose.

Mason brings the drink to his lips with a challenging glare. “Real men drink cocktails,” he says before taking a sip.

“The same one as their assistant?” Tristan retorts, making Mason sputter into his glass.

Liquid drips down his chin, and he wipes it away slowly while Tristan continues to smile in amusement. “All you’re missing is an umbrella.”

“I’m low-key mad I don’t have one,” Mason mutters.

“That’s because this place is classy.” Beth takes the olive from her drink and drags it off the pick.

“Sorry, Princess.” Tristan watches as she slowly slides the pick through her teeth. “Didn’t mean to offend you with my tackiness.”

Beth’s jaw clenches. “I am not a princess.”

“You’re drinking your martini with a straw,” Tristan fires back.

Her face is inches from his. “I don’t want to mess up my lipstick.”

Tristan leans in further, so close their noses almost touch. “Princess.”

“Are they exes or something?” I ask Mason.

He’s staring at them, confused, as he tears up a napkin, twisting the end between his fingers. “No.” Mason shakes his head. “I’m both confused and disturbed by whatever this is.”

We watch as Beth’s face goes so red it rivals a strawberry, before she sticks a finger in her mouth and swirls it in Tristan’s drink, stirring it around like a straw. She sucks her finger with an exulting smirk.

Tristan remains emotionless, not even a twitch in his eyes, as he locks Beth in his gaze and takes a sip from his drink.

“Dude,” Mason says. “This is, like, beyond eye-fucking. I don’t know what it is, but I’d prefer not to witness it when it’s with my sister.”

“Ugh.” Beth grimaces. “There’s not enough protection in the world from his ego. As if I’d trust his dick.”

Tristan winks at her. “But you’ve thought about it?”

Beth’s glare could turn men to stone. “Come on, Callie. I want to introduce you to my friend, Tenley, before I choke on the testosterone here.”

Mason slides out of the booth to let me out, offering me his hand when I shuffle to the edge. The napkin he was twisting is now fashioned in a single rose stem. “Thank you.”

I smooth out my dress as I wait for Beth, who’s still sitting in place, blocked from the exit by Tristan. “Do you mind?” She seethes.

He leans back, pressing into the seat rest. “Not at all.”

Beth looks at the open gap between the table and Tristan—which isn’t much at all—and with a slow blink, swings her leg over his lap and slides across him.

“Mason, I’d prefer if you didn’t bring your dog to nice places, since he clearly can’t be trained.” Beth tosses back her martini, slamming the empty glass on the table.

“I only respond well to female owners.” Tristan grins.

I pull Beth away before she explodes, leading her to the bar for another drink. “Holy shit!”

“I know, what an arsehole!” Beth flicks her dead-straight hair over her shoulder.