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“Stace, it’s okay to be scared. It’s not okay to push him away just because. Tell me, what could be one thing that would make him not so perfect? What’s the deal breaker?” asked Kristen.
That’s easy. Stacey chewed on her bottom lip. Memories of how it felt when she was lied to and caught first Carl, then Steven cheating. Her heart couldn’t take that again. “Lying. I can’t stand a liar. If he lies to me, I wouldn’t be able to trust him again. And, of course, cheating. Trust is hard to gain and easy to break—instant deal breakers.”
Kristen pursed her lips. “Makes sense. But those are huge. What’s something that would just knock him down a few rungs on the perfection scale?”
“Expecting me to stay at home after we’re married because he wants to make all the money. Or not allowing me to go half-in with meal bills. Or buying my love. God, I hate that. Money can’t buy happiness. I hate those rich guys who think they can just buy me.” Stacey shivered.
“Yeah, money, presents, flowers. Awful, awful things. How dare men!”
Stacey pushed her hard enough that she almost fell out of the bed. “Anyway, I’m just waiting for the shoe to drop—you know—no one’s that perfect. But then, whenever I think there might be a flaw, he gets even more perfect.”
Kristen sat back up and resituated her pillows behind her head. “I didn’t know more perfect was even a possibility. How does someone become more perfect?”
Stacey stared across the room. “Well, I started crying, then ended up telling him about my parents.”
Kristen went still. “Wow, that’s a big step.”
“Yeah, and he totally understood. His dad died when he was a baby, and his mom died when he was in middle school.” She locked eyes with her. “See. More perfect, and I’m ready to put myself out there, but I don’t want to get hurt. My heart’s been hurt too much.”
Kristen slipped her arm back around Stacey and squeezed. “Sometimes, Stace, you just have to put yourself out there. Or at least give your best friend a chance to give her input. I’ll let you know really quick if I think he’s worth it, and this time I’ll make you listen or just chase him off for you.”
Stacey’s eyes closed, and tears squeezed from beneath her eyelids. “Thank, Kristen. I’m lucky to have you on my side.” She wrapped her hand around hers. “Thanks for being such an amazing friend.”
Kristen returned the squeeze. “You’re welcome. I wish everyone was so easy to sway to my amazingness. So many think I’m a bitch.”
Stacey let out a snort as she tried to hold in her laughter. “I just don’t know why people would think that, Kris. I really can’t figure it out.”
Kristen rolled her eyes, pushing her away. “Get on your side of the bed.”
Stacey moved over and scooted under the covers. “Why’re you sleeping here tonight? Did you piss off Jacob, and he kicked you out?”
Kristen’s eyes were closed, and her voice was sleepy. “No. I already had my way with him. He was exhausted and fell asleep. I heard you come home and knew you were alone and thought you might need to talk.” She pulled on the blanket, wrapping herself like a burrito. “Just being an amazing non-bitchy friend.”
Stacey smiled and closed her eyes. She felt at peace and filled with happiness. “Yes, you are, Kristen, and thank you for that. I don’t know what I’d ever do without you.”
“Yeah, me either. But feel free to hand over any un-wanted gifts you might get from Mister Perfect. No need to throw them away.”
Tristan woke up and walked down the back steps that led to the kitchen. Stacey wasn’t far from his mind. He opened the huge refrigerator door, took out the gallon of milk, and sat at the table, ready to eat a bowl of cereal.
He couldn’t remember when he felt this content and satisfied without having sex. Though the dream he had last night, made sex with her something he hoped he would be able to partake in, but when, would be up to Stacey. He really wasn’t in a rush. He would rather spend time getting to know her. Interesting concept.
He looked out the window at the expansive backyard. Horses were already milling around the back pasture in the distance. Closer to the house, the maintenance crew was out working on the lawn, working in the garden, and cleaning the pool. He took a large bite of cereal. Stacey’s soft brown hair and large golden-brown eyes entered his thoughts.
He remembered the exact moment Stacey walked into the Mexican restaurant in Gatlinburg. It was like the entire atmosphere of the restaurant changed. He looked up from his conversation with Adler and saw her laughing with her friends. He watched as she walked across the restaurant and sat down. She sat facing him, and when their eyes met, he felt an instant connection which drew him to her.
“Earth to Tristan.”
He felt a hand on his back, and jerked back to reality, spilling milk from his spoon. His aunt was there.
“Good morning, you thoughtful person. I’m surprised to see you in the main house this morning,” said Aunt Elie.
Tristan smiled. Aunt Elie’s dark hair, which was usually up in a messy bun, spilled around her shoulders. She wore yoga pants and a t-shirt. She was always relaxed when at home and not at her job running the hospital. He didn’t know much about what she did or what hospital she worked at, but she worked hard, and was a smart, independent woman who was filled with love for her son and nephew.
“Good morning, Aunt Elie.” He shoved another spoon of cereal into his mouth. “If you really want to know, Adler had a—he curled his fingers—‘guest’ again last night. And I didn’t want to deal with all that, so I slept in my old room. It worked out because you always keep the best cereal here for Uncle Don, and your milk is never sour because someone didn’t close it. So, I’m also having the best breakfast ever before I head into the office. A win—win for me.”
Elie took her toast from the toaster and a hard-boiled egg from the refrigerator. She grabbed a couple of bananas before she sat down to join him at the table, pushing a banana at him. “Well, if you insist on eating that ridiculous cereal, at least have a banana, so I can feel like my sis wouldn’t think I brought you up eating junk food all the time.”
“I’ll do anything so she won’t think you’re starving her only son and making him malnourished.” Tristan picked up the banana and nodded in thanks as he peeled and ate it. He loved the fact that even after all these years, they talked about his mom like she was still there. It helped him keep her memory fresh in his mind, which seemed to be fading a little more each day.
