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“I’ve never seen you before.” She narrows her eyes.
“I live just outside of town. I went to school in Brookes since it was closer, so most of my time was spent there.”
“Did you go to Chamber Prep?” Her voice is tinged with doubt.
“I did.” I nod with a small smile. “I was really drawn to their STEM programs.” I don’t mention that I got a partial scholarship to attend or that my mom worked at the school so we could take advantage of reduced tuition.
Tristan’s eyebrows arch, and his mom’s chin lifts.
“It’s a prestigious school.”
“It is. Academically unmatched in the area.” This is surreal. I’m talking about high school with this woman. Something that really has nothing to do with my life now.
“I’m Nicole.” She extends her hand. I shake it softly, a response intentionally different from the way I interacted with her husband.
“Please grab something to drink and make yourselves at home.”
When Tristan pulls me away, I release a heavy breath.
“That was . . .” He smiles and shakes his head, looking at me in awe. “I’m impressed and so proud. Chamber Prep.” He chuckles.
“Yeah.” I nod.
“Did you really go there?”
“Of course. I wouldn’t lie about that.” My eyes widen.
“I thought it was an added bonus to our story so they’d approve of you. Darn, a Chamber Prep girl.” He nods in approval and points at me. “I told you you were perfect for this.”
I roll my eyes and move to the side so I can stand beside him and see this party play out. If I’d had to come to an event like this alone, I’d have been bored out of my mind. Even if I did go to a private school, I wasn’t part of the snobby crowd, and neither were any of my friends.
“I’d expect you to have gone to Chamber Prep,” I say.
“My mom wanted us to go there, but my brother and I begged to go to school here in Hartville with our friends. It was the one thing they granted us,” he explains.
“That’s nice.”
“Wait. If you went to a private school, why do you even need money? Do you not get along with your parents? Can’t they help you if you’re in a bind?” Tristan’s eyes are saddened, and it’s kind of him to worry.
“I have a great relationship with my parents. I got a scholarship to Chamber Prep, and my mom works there, so we got reduced tuition. Their STEM program really is amazing. It was a great opportunity.”
I still feel guilty that my parents sacrificed paying anything at all for my education, especially since I didn’t even end up finishing college.
“That’s cool. And it’s a good thing you get along with your parents. Sorry if I offended you.”
“No offense taken.” I smile.
“Good, good.” He snakes his hands into his pockets and looks around. “Do you want something to drink?” His eyes land on me.
“I’ll have some water.”
“Of course,” he says, nodding. “I’ll be right back.”
I stand in the corner and watch him walk to the bar area. I should’ve offered to go with him instead of standing here on my own. Some people say hello to Tristan while others stare at him and whisper to each other.
From what he’s told me, he seems to be the black sheep of the family. I’ve never met his brother to compare the two, but the fact that Tristan left and spent his time volunteering with humanitarian organizations around the world speaks volumes. He has followed through on the type of thing people always say they want to do but never actually do.
Tristan smiles as he walks back toward me, holding a glass of wine and a tumbler of water.
