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“Yeah, and he kept saying weird things like ‘You smell sweet like sugar.’ ‘You smell as fresh as fresh cut grass.’”
“What?” Stacey’s mouth was open. That was creepy.
“Yeah. I excused myself for the bathroom and kept walking. Left him at the restaurant. Haven’t been out since.”
A chill went through Stacey. “My life lately hasn’t been that bad, but my past relationships have given me trust issues that have caused me to mess up a pretty amazing relationship I could be having.” Why did she just say that to Carla? She hardly knows her.
“Let me guess. He’s a great guy, but you’ve been shit on so much that you’re waiting for the real guy to emerge. Am I right?” Carla put her book down and took a cookie from her lunch bag next to her. She offered one to Stacey.
Stacey’s eyes went up in question.
“Chocolate chip. Made them myself.”
Stacey took a bite. A soft crunch on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside. The perfect cookie. “Mm. This is amazing.”
“Secret recipe.” Carla winked.
Stacey smiled. “But, yeah, about the guy. You’re pretty spot-on.” Just tell her it’s Tristan. “Can I ask you something? It’s pretty personal, so if you don’t want to answer, I understand.”
Carla shrugged. “Sure. Ask me anything.”
Stacey took a deep breath. “It’s about Tristan.” She waited. The only reaction was a questioning look. “You said you messed around with him.” Stacey paused, not knowing how to continue.
“Wait a minute.” Carla sat back and crossed her arms. “Is Tristan the guy you’re talking about?”
Stacey gave a small nod.
Carla’s gaze fell to the table.
Stacey’s shoulders met her ears and stayed there. “Doesn’t matter. I screwed things up badly. So, I need to know. Did you really have sex with him?” There’s nothing like just getting to the point.
Carla deflated and shook her head. “No. I just implied that for Gina’s sake. We just messed around. And that wasn’t even much more than kissing. He isn’t into one-night stands, and he never called me.”
Stacey’s stomach churned. He was telling the truth. She took something all out of context. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm her stomach. “Thank you for letting me know.” She gave Carla a smile.
“It looks like he means a lot to you. I’m sorry if my implications caused trouble. He’s a great guy, and if he cares for you, you’re one lucky woman.”
Stacey smiled. “He does. Or at least he did. Thank you.”
She needed to get back and finish her shift. First, though, she sent Tristan a quick text.
I’m so sorry for everything. I really want to talk. Can we? Sometime tomorrow? I have off. Let me know.
She wasn’t sure how to end it, so she just hit send.
Tristan was brushing off the mare he just finished riding. It was a good ride and did just what he hoped. It gave him something else to think about. He hadn’t heard from Stacey all week, and it was driving him crazy.
“I loved her. Who am I kidding? I still do. I’m crazy about her.” He was talking to the horse, and he had her undivided attention. “I’ve tried hard to not be like other guys, and here I am, still being thrown into the same pot as them.” He sighed. “Hopefully, she figures her shit out.”I’m not gonna call her. Our relationship is in her hands, but I’m not gonna wait forever.He patted the horse on the side of her face. “Ginger. You are one girl I’ve always been able to count on. Thank you.” She just stared at him with her large brown eyes and breathed on him, shaking her head.
“Still talking with that horse, huh? What’s going on?”
Tristan looked up.
His aunt was dressed in her riding pants, a T-shirt, and the riding boots she loved.
He smiled at her. They looked a lot alike because she favored his mother. He was glad he could look at her and remember his mom. He didn’t feel so alone at times like this. When he just needed to talk, and Adler wouldn’t do.
“How do you always know when I need to talk?”
