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“Tristan.” There’s a warning note to her tone.
“Let’s enjoy tonight and worry about the rest tomorrow.”
She nods, allowing me to take her hand and guide her to the dance floor. I hold her close, moving to the slow beat. Lex smiles and gives me a thumb’s up. I nod and press the side of my face against Sage’s, breathing in her perfume.
It’s different from the jasmine scent I inhaled yesterday at the coffee shop. This one is sweet with a hint of spice that adds a layer of intrigue.
My fingers brush back and forth on her lower back, hers comb through the back of my hair. I’m not sure what our next steps are. We need to talk and figure this out.
I can’t continue with the charade, but I know she needs the money I offered her. It wouldn’t be fair to tear that away from her. However, pretend or not, we’re still in a relationship that my parents can witness.
The only difference now is that I don’t want it to be temporary. I don’t want to walk away from her once it’s all said and done. It’s a feeling that constricts my chest like a python squeezing the life out of me.
I lean my head back and stare at her, brushing away the wavy strands from her face. Sage leans into my palm and closes her eyes. We’re both cut open in this moment, hoping the other won’t let us bleed out.
Instead of speaking, I kiss her forehead and spin her around the dance floor. Tomorrow we’ll work through this like I promised her. Right now, I’m going to enjoy it like we’re meant to be this way.
23
Sage
Tristan sings along to the pop song, holding my hand in the air as he dances. He spins me around and winks when I face him again. We’ve been dancing all night. My feet are throbbing, but that won’t stop me from staying on the dance floor. This wedding has been a blast, and Tristan’s friends have treated me as if we’ve known each other for years.
The song changes to a slower beat, and like magic, the room quiets down. Couples hold each other, smiling, while single people step away. Tristan keeps a strong hold on my hand. I look at him and find a soft smile on his lips and his eyes burning into mine. If looks could talk, his would say I need you now.
A shiver trembles through me as his thumb brushes my hand. His steps are slow, though everything seems like it’s in slow motion in the magic of this moment. Tristan’s arm wraps around my waist while he takes hold of my other hand. Swaying to the beat, I stare into his eyes.
I feel like Cinderella, like at the stroke of midnight, this dream will disappear, and I’ll be back to being a barista with a fake boyfriend who isn’t more than a friend. I can’t deny that I want more. I want the liberty to talk to Tristan about everything and anything, console him when he’s down, and kiss him when I feel like it.
I sigh, enjoying the moment and not worrying about tomorrow.
“Relax,” Tristan whispers.
His lips brush against the shell of my ear.
I nod, feeling the tension in my neck and shoulders. Taking a deep breath, my body begins to loosen up.
“Better,” he says.
His strong arms hold me close, making me feel cherished and safe. I never want to let go, and that’s a scary thing to wish for when you’ve made a deal that has an expiration date. Not only because of our agreement but because Tristan will soon be off in the world again, and I’ll be here. I don’t see how we can make things work.
For tonight, I want to pretend.
Once the song is over, I step back and smile. “I’m going to sit for a bit and get some water.”
“I’ll go with you,” he says.
We walk side by side to our table, where Hudson and Lex are whispering to each other, oblivious to our approach.
“Hey,” Tristan breaks up their conversation.
“Oh, hey,” Lex says, looking at us. “Having fun?”
Laughing, Tristan wraps an arm around me and nods. “We need a break, though.”
He pulls my chair out, ever the gentleman, and sits once I’m in my own seat.
“Yeah, same. My feet are killing me,” she groans.
