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“You’re brave. You agreed to fake date a guy who looks like a model and, from what you’ve said, has a heart of gold.” She perfectly summed up Tristan.
“We both get something out of it.” I make it sound as much like a business transaction as possible.
“Right. I gotta go, but we’ll talk soon. Remember to make time for me. I want to meet this man.”
“You got it. Bye, D.” I smile as I hang up, closing my eyes.
When my phone buzzes in my hand, I smirk. That’s probably her getting in a final word. It’s not Daisy, though. Instead, it’s a message I’m not expecting.
Tristan: Thanks for hanging out with me today and being so cool about all this.
Sage: No need to thank me.
Tristan: Well, I’m doing it anyway. See you tomorrow.
Sage: Goodnight, Tristan.
Tristan: ‘Night, Wise Sage.
I smile at his message, shaking my head. The last thing I expected was for my life to go in this direction when I met him. I head down to the kitchen for some water and to say goodnight to my parents. I’m exhausted and really just want to lie in bed with my e-reader.
“When are we going to meet this boy you’ve been spending so much time with?” my mom asks with an arched brow.
“Uhh . . .” Water drips down my chin, and I right the glass before I’m drenched. “Not sure yet. It’s still new.” I use the same excuse I used the other day and hightail it to my room.
Guilt seeps in. My parents thinking I’m dating someone is different from Tristan’s parents doing so because they’re manipulating him. My parents don’t need to know the kind of person their daughter is—agreeing to date a guy for money.
That sounds worse than it is.
13
Tristan
“What’s this I hear about a girlfriend?” Ellie, one of Lex’s best friends, asks with narrowed eyes.
I laugh at her attempt to intimidate me, but she’s at least half a foot shorter than me and is the sweetest person.
“Sage,” I tell her.
“I don’t know her.” She shakes her head as her eyebrows pinch together.
“You’re up at the farm all day,” I tease her, and she sticks her tongue out.
Ellie’s family owns a farm, so it’s rare she comes into town, especially with some financial issues they’ve been having.
“Tell me about her, then.” She shoves my shoulder. “Is she coming tonight?” She looks around as if Sage will automatically appear like I’ve conjured her for a magic trick.
Lex, Ellie, and Hope met up with us for some drinks after they finished running some last-minute errands for Hope and Toby’s wedding. I hadn’t made plans with Sage or told her to come since I was spending time with Hudson, Toby, Derek, and Matt.
“Not sure. I didn’t tell her. Had no idea you ladies were coming.” I shrug apologetically.
“Well, call her.” Ellie gives me a look that says, you’re dense.
“She’s probably tired after work. I don’t want to spring something like this on her.”
Ellie arches a brow and rolls her eyes. Then, she looks at everyone else.
“Who else thinks Tristan should call Sage and tell her to come so we can all meet her?”
