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Tristan’s head snapped around and he gave Shane an unyielding stare. “Don’t you do a single thing. I don’t want you meddling in this. If it’s meant to be, it will happen.”
Shane seemed to be considering him for a few moments before he nodded. “Fine. But she’s not Erika. She’s not going to just abandon you. Remember that, okay? Don’t let your concerns about that mess up anything that you might find with Dianna.”
“Who said I was worried about Erika?” He scoffed. “Erika has nothing to do with this. She’s been out of our lives for several years.”
His friend shrugged. “Just a hunch, I guess. People in general seem to find any reason to sabotage something when they don’t feel they deserve it.” He walked around the car. “And you deserve to be happy more than anyone I know.”
The front door to the house opened and light spilled out onto the porch. There were two silhouettes standing in the doorway, but only one of them captured Tristan’s attention and made it hard for him to breathe.
Dianna was a vision in a deep crimson dress that came to her mid-calf. The fabric swirled around her knees in the front, then draped lower in the back. She held her coat draped over her arm and her gaze locked onto his. Her hair was swept up into a pile of curls on top of her head and he didn’t dare move in case what he was looking at disappeared.
Shane dug his elbow into Tristan’s side and let out a low chuckle. “I think it’s customary to help the lady with her coat.” He didn’t waste any time. Shane moved forward and hurried up the steps toward his date. Brielle wore a white dress that came to her knees. There were lace embellishments, and it was easy to believe what Shane had said. Tristan could see her attracting trouble wherever she went.
By the time Shane had reached the top of the stairs, Tristan had jolted into action and hurried to meet Dianna before she came to him. “You look…” He shook his head and gestured toward her dress. “You look amazing, Dianna.”
She smiled and moved closer to him. Her fingers adjusted his tie and her lashes fluttered before she lifted her gaze to meet his. “You clean up nicely yourself.” Her hands traced down the breast of his jacket, resting near his lapel.
Chills swept down his spine and up again, but it wasn’t because of the cold weather. He couldn’t believe how lucky he was to be out on this date with her after everything he’d been through in his life. In a perfect world, tonight would be the first of many. He could already imagine what life would be like with her by his side.
“Come on, guys. Stop ogling each other and let’s get going. I’m sure Shane has a lot to do.” Brielle looped her hand through Shane’s arm and gave him a flirtatious wink, to which Shane gave Tristan a meaningful look.
Tristan gazed down at Dianna, wishing they didn’t have an audience. He would have liked to pull her close and finally break the tension that had continued to grow over the last several days. He wanted to kiss her, letting his lips rove over the soft curves of her shy smile and show her how he really felt inside. Instead, he reached for her wool coat. “May I?”
She nodded, allowing him to take the coat and hold it up for her. She slipped her arms into the sleeves, and before she turned to face him, he trailed his hands down her arms. When she did face him, her expression was guarded. Had he misread the signs she’d been giving him?
“We should probably get going,” she whispered.
He nodded. “Right.” There was plenty of time for the two of them to have a quiet conversation later. Even as he’d said the word, his feet refused to move.
The car horn honked loud and long, then another short burst. Both Dianna and Tristan jumped and faced the car, finding Brielle leaning forward from the front seat with a wide grin on her face as she honked the horn once more for good measure.
Dianna grimaced. “Sorry.”
Tristan chuckled, shrugging as he laced his fingers within hers. “She’s notmydate. Maybe you should be apologizing to your boss.”
She flinched again and laughed. “Maybe you’re right.”
16
Dianna
Dianna fidgeted as she stood beside the large Christmas tree in the main area of the country club. There were tables and chairs set up around a small-ish dance floor, but the DJ hadn’t completely finished setting up. People were arriving in a trickle, and she was just glad that she wasn’t the one on a date with Shane.
Brielle was playing her role perfectly. If pressed, Dianna would have said that Brielle loved the attention far more than she’d let on. For all her complaining over having to be on a date with Shane, she sure seemed to be enjoying herself.
Her arm clutched Shane’s tightly and she didn’t move from his side. She played the dutiful date of a wealthy man well.
“Seems like they’re getting along, don’t you think?”
Dianna jumped and faced Tristan. Her heart refused to slow even as he offered her a glass of eggnog and turned his attention to the couple who were welcoming the newcomers. She took a sip of her drink and nodded. “I knew she’d be a good fit. Not because they’d make a good match but because if anyone knows how to play a part, it’s Brielle.”
Tristan moved beside her and suddenly her mind went blank. All she could think about was how good he looked and how nice he smelled. She must not be a strong person if it only took a few weeks to change her mind about relationships. If there was anyone she wanted to try one out with, it was Tristan.
His arm brushed against hers and those pesky goosebumps exploded all up and down her arms. She shivered, which only drew his attention.
Goodness gracious.
Tristan removed his suit jacket and she sucked in sharply, trying to hold in a cough as she shook her head and waved him off. None of that worked. Before she could tell him it wasn’t necessary for him to give her his jacket, he’d draped the item over her shoulders. His adorable smile reminded her of Mathew. He looked so proud of himself.
