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“Yeah, of course. Why wouldn’t we?” Tristan shrugs, removing his arm, clasping his hands, and resting them on the table.
Without that distraction, I sit back and take a deep breath. I shouldn’t feel cozy when he wraps his arm around me, but the part of me that’s a woman who hasn’t dated in years yearns for someone to hold me like that.
“We should’ve gone just to witness that,” Hudson tells Lex with a grin.
“It would’ve been something.”
“I’ll have you know that it was great. Right, Sage?” He looks at me.
“Yeah.” I attempt a smile, but I probably look like Chandler in that episode of Friends when he and Monica need to take wedding pictures, and he looks like a crazy creep.
These three clearly have history, and I’m the newcomer, unsure of how to interact. Not to mention these heels are killing my feet. Had I known we would be cutting the party short, I would’ve brought a pair of flats to change into. Not sure where I’d have stuffed them since my purse is small, though.
“So, how did you two meet?” Hudson looks between us. “And why didn’t you tell me you’d met someone?” His tone holds a hint of accusatory hurt toward Tristan.
“Don’t get your feelings hurt.” He looks at his brother. “It’s new, so I wanted to keep it to myself for a bit.” He gives me a lopsided smile.
He and Hudson definitely look like brothers, but Tristan’s hair is a bit lighter, and his demeanor is more laidback. From the little I know, Hudson used to work for the family’s real estate agency, so he strikes me as more of a suit guy, even if he’s wearing jeans and an Oxford shirt right now.
“We met at the coffee shop,” I offer. “He came in on my first week and tried to charm me.” It’s scary how easily the lie rolls off my tongue, but his comment about my name meaning ‘wise’ could’ve been a pick-up line, just a terrible one.
“Sounds like Tristan,” Lex jokes.
I turn to look at him with raised brows and a tilt of my head. He clears his throat and widens his eyes at Lex.
“She didn’t mean it like that. I just have a way of charming everyone with my humor and good looks.”
“Oh, goodness,” I mumble, rolling my eyes.
“You fell for it.” He points out with a cheeky grin.
I can’t argue about that in front of his brother and Lex, and he’s totally using it to his advantage.
“Anyway,” he says, looking at his brother. “What have you been up to?”
“Running some errands, working, spending time with my girlfriend.” He wraps his arm around Lex and smiles at her with pure adoration.
The waiter interrupts the conversation to take our order, and silence falls over the table afterward.
“So . . . Tristan told me you own a dance studio.” I look at Lex.
“I do,” she smiles. “We teach kids from three to eighteen years old.”
“Wow, that’s amazing.”
“Thanks. It’s my dream job.” Her smile is kind.
She seems like a nice person, someone I could be friends with.
Tristan teases Hudson about random things like his outfit or which brother is the most fun. Lex tries to hold back her laughter while supporting her boyfriend. I watch with a smile, enjoying their camaraderie.
I haven’t experienced this in so long. Daisy had a point when she told me I needed to socialize more. Ever since my diagnosis, I’ve retreated into myself. Hermit Sage with Netflix and no chill when I should be Social Sage spending time with friends.
“Sage, control him.” Hudson shakes his head. “Someone needs to bring his ego down. Please do us all that favor.”
I chuckle and look at Tristan with narrow eyes. “I think I can take on that job.”
“Ouch.” His hand flies to his chest. “Betrayed by my own date.”
