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“It’ll be over soon.” He nods, delicately holding my face.
I close my eyes, my heart galloping. Maybe Daisy is right. This feels too intimate, too real.
My eyes snap open. Tristan is staring at me with a frown. His eyebrows are pulled tight, creating valleys between them.
“I’ll talk to them and tell them you want to do things on your own. They can respect that or not, but I won’t let you be put in a position where you feel embarrassed.” His arms wrap around me in a tight hug.
I’ve never felt safer. Tears prickle my eyes as his warmth envelops me. My heart slows, but my mind races. Tristan isn’t supposed to feel this way—so right, so perfect.
“Forgive me?” His whisper tickles my neck.
We fit in a way I’ve never felt with anyone else, and it’s dangerous. I need space before I start to believe this thing between us could be real and get lost in hope and inevitable heartbreak.
“Quitting college was a big deal for me. I was forced to due to my health, not because it wasn’t the right path for me. It’s hard to pretend to have something you always dreamed of, knowing you’ll never truly accomplish it.”
“Hey, you can go back. You’re better now. Who says you have to be a certain age to go to college?” He smiles softly.
Shaking my head, I look away. It’s more than having the time or desire to go back. I would need a school that’s close by or allows online degrees for my area of study. Not to mention I need money to pay tuition. A hundred grand isn’t going to cut it when I have hospital bills of almost that amount left to pay.
“Why not?” He challenges.
He’s still standing close. His hand is still cradling my face. His breath tickles the tip of my nose. I can’t help but notice the different shades of green in his eyes.
My breath catches, heart hammering. Why does he have to be so sweet and encouraging? Why couldn’t I get a jerk fake boyfriend who I’d be sure not to fall for?
“For a lot of reasons,” I whisper.
“Tell me one that isn’t money.” He raises a brow, giving me a knowing look.
“I don’t feel comfortable living away from home right now.” A part of me fears that my condition will worsen and I won’t have anyone to help me.
“So choose a school nearby.”
“Every school is about an hour away from here.”
“Online classes.”
“If you can find me a school that offers an entire degree in computer engineering online, I’ll do it.” It’s nearly impossible. I checked a few years ago when I moved back.
The grin that covers his face should worry me. Tristan steps back and extends his hand.
“Challenge accepted.”
I look between his eyes and outstretched hand.
“You’re not going to back down now, right?” He smirks with arrogance.
“Of course not.” I shake his hand.
“Wonderful. Now, let’s get you home so you can change and feel like yourself again. I really am sorry, Sage.” He frowns.
“It’s not your fault, Tristan, it’s just hard for me to accept some realities in my life, and tonight made it impossible for me to ignore them.” I shrug, not wanting him to feel any guiltier.
“I’ll make it up to you,” he promises.
I nod silently. Right now, I have so many things to sort in my mind, beginning with what I’m truly feeling toward Tristan.
“This place is so cute.” Daisy looks around Bottom’s Up.
