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The house was empty when I returned from dropping the kids off at school, and I found the quiet unnerving. Or maybe I just didn’t want to be alone with my thoughts. I was waiting for my final exam results, waiting to find out if I’d graduate and proceed with the JET Program. But it was so much more than that.
I couldn’t stop thinking about Tristan and what had happened last night. But I hadn’t seen him since.
He’d left for an early bike ride with Enzo. And by the time he was back to get ready for work, I’d been at school with the kids. Now he was at work, and I couldn’t stop thinking about him. About his promise…
Rex nudged my hand with his head, urging me to pet him.
“Okay, boy.” I laughed when he licked my palm because I hadn’t responded fast enough for his liking. “I know.I know.”
I crouched down to his level, scratching behind his ears. His tongue lolled out of his mouth, and it made me laugh. I hadn’t realized how much I’d enjoy having a dog around, though I had a feeling a big part of it was Rex’s playful personality. Sometimes I felt as if we were having a conversation. He was so expressive, and he often barked at just the right time.
We spent a lot of time together, especially since the night of his surgery. He’d always been attentive, but he’d followed me around like a furry shadow since then.
“Is somebody needing some attention?” I asked in a cutesy voice. “Huh?”
I smoothed my hand down his coat, patting his flanks. “I have to work on a tutorial, but you can hang out with me. As long as you can stay out of trouble.” I narrowed my eyes at him.
A little whine in response.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought,” I muttered, knowing I was asking a lot.
Before I headed upstairs, I refilled Rex’s water bowl and responded to a few comments on social media. I checked the university website again, but the exam results still hadn’t been posted. I let out a sigh and navigated toThe Vine, where the large banner with an image of a grapevine and the blog site name filled most of the screen. I scrolled down, searching for any new posts. Anything to distract me.
According toThe Vine, Bennett was organizing a cookbook with Mrs. Marcus to raise funds for feline renal research. Maybe I’d submit a pavlova recipe. It was a classic Australian dessert with a crunchy exterior and a fluffy, marshmallow-like interior.
I tossed my phone aside and went to shower, so I could film the tutorial. Anything to keep my mind off my exam results and Tristan. Besides, assuming my alter ego was always a welcome distraction.
At times, I liked the online version of myself better than the real me. Online, I was flirty and sexy and fun. I was a badass who wasn’t afraid to express herself. And I was sought out for my expertise and passion.
Last night, I’d felt closer to that version of me, of the woman I wanted to be. I’d been flirty with Tristan. Brazen. And I hadn’t backed down, even when he’d tried to push me away. And my persistence had paid off.
I toweled off and slipped into my favorite silk robe—a splurge from my previous trip to Japan—turning up the music playing on my phone. I was applying my eye shadow base when my phone rang, and Piper’s name flashed across the screen along with a request for FaceTime. I made sure my robe was closed before I pressed the button to connect the call.
She waved, a huge smile on her face. “Hey, beautiful!”
“Hey!” I grinned.
“What are you getting all dolled up for? A date?”
I barked out a laugh. “Um. No. I’m trying out a look for a new tutorial in an effort to distract myself so I don’t refresh the exam results page every two seconds.”Not like you haven’t already done that all morning.
“Ooh. Love it! And you did great. I know it.”
I hoped she was right. I’d given it my best. As Tessa always liked to remind me, that was all I could expect of myself.
“So…any new developments since thehaircut?” she asked.
“Maybe.” I bit back my smile.
“Mm-hmm.” When I continued to focus on my eye shadow, she said, “I knew you had the hots for him!”
I let out a deep sigh. What was I supposed to say? I couldn’t lie to Piper. And if I didn’t talk to someone, I was going to explode. And I really,reallydid not want to tell anyone in town about my complicated feelings for my brother-in-law.
As much as I liked and trusted Harper and Wren, they were his friends too. First, really. And Tessa’s. I slumped.
“Come on. Spill,” Piper said.
So, I did. I knew I could trust her. Plus, the idea of my feelings toward Tristan somehow ending up inThe Vinewas terrifying.
