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“No way.” She shakes her head vigorously. “Gimme that coffee and a chocolate chip cookie, and I’ll be good as new.” She smiles, reaching her hand out.
I place the cup in her hand and grab the cookie. While I’m handing it over, a group of people walks in. It seems the afternoon is picking up.
I find myself glancing at the door every time it opens, expecting to see Tristan. Or maybe wanting to see him, based on how my heart drops every time I realize it isn’t him.
“Where do you want to eat?” Daisy asks while I finish up a Frappuccino.
“I don’t know. Do you want to go to Brookes or eat around here?” I look over at her as I serve the frozen coffee into a cup.
“Around here.”
“We can go to the diner. They have great food, and it’s within walking distance.” I still have about an hour left until Elizabeth, the owner, comes in and takes over until closing time.
“That’s perfect.” She takes a drink of her latte and nods in approval. “So good.”
The door opens again, and my mouth goes dry as Tristan walks in with a wide smile. Oh, boy, things are about to get interesting.
“Hey, GF.” he winks.
“Uh, hi.” My eyes cut to Daisy, who’s leaning forward on her stool with raised brows.
“GF?” She glances at me with a sly smile.
I roll my eyes and look at Tristan, but he doesn’t miss a beat.
“Hi.” He waves at Daisy, having no idea what he’s walking into.
She’s a hungry wolf, and he’s holding the food she wants. If he’s not careful, she’ll bite his arm off.
“Hi.” She spins on her stool to face him better. “Tristan, right?”
“Yes, and you are . . .?” His question trails, eyes sliding to me.
“This is Daisy, my best friend. She’s here from DC visiting for Easter. Daisy, this is Tristan,” I introduce them.
“Ohhhh . . . hey.” Tristan, being the ever polite and kind person he is, walks over to her and shakes her hand. “It’s so nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.” Daisy’s eyes dart all over him, trailing up and down his body and nodding. “So you’re the person taking up all my best friend’s time?” Her brows lift.
I could kill her. He knows that she knows that we’re pretending, but she’s acting as if we aren’t.
“That’d be me.” He smiles proudly, and it’s endearing how happily he says this.
“Wonderful. Take a seat and tell me all about yourself.” She pulls out the stool beside her. Tristan looks over at me, and I nod.
“I’ll grab you a coffee.”
“Thanks.” He smiles at me as he sits down.
You poor innocent man.
“Come on. Don’t be shy.” Daisy begins with the interrogation, and I wish I could kick her under the table.
They talk about his time abroad, his dream for Spread Joy, and about me. I keep busy with work; otherwise, I’ll embarrass myself. As it is, I feel my cheeks heat with humiliation when Daisy emphasizes what a catch I am.
I could kill her. I have no idea what she’s playing at since she knows the truth.
“Sage is amazing. You’re absolutely right.” Tristan’s words are like the glaze on a donut. The sweetness in his voice almost makes me believe this is more than a charade.
