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“The flirting between the two of you was fierce last night. Sexual tension out the wazoo. Clearly, it’s going to happen. So why not let it and take it from there?”
I’ll admit to a certain level of excitement at the possibility.
“It’s a small town,” I remind her. “And we’re very likely to run in the same circles. Plus with you and Cole and all.”
“So?”
“So. If it doesn’t work out, which is very high on the list of possibilities, then things could get pretty awkward.”
“How many times have the two of you been together since you came home?”
I begin to count.
“Beforethe wedding? Zero.”
“Exactly. He’s not just popping up all over the place by accident all of a sudden. The universe is shoving the two of you together.”
“You think so?”
“Either that, or you guys are doing it deliberately. Point being, if it doesn’t work, if you can’t play in the same sandbox you work in, then y’all can just find separate playgrounds.”
I’m not sure the analogy works, but I get the point.
“You say go for it?”
“I say, full steam ahead, baby. And let the chips fall where they may.”
Full steam ahead.
As if I wasn’t already planning to stop by his place today. Whether his casual mention of the fact that he’d be working this afternoon even though they were closed was a deliberate invitation, or nothing more than an offhand comment, my decision is made.
I’ll put in a few hours this afternoon, and then head to his place.
Tristano and I need to talk.
24
Tristano
“Thanks for the meal.” My dinner companion stands and shakes my hand.
We’ve been tucked away in a corner of the restaurant, our meeting finally ended. It was great information but bad timing. We set this up before I knew about the Cucina judging.
And before Evie.
The fact that we haven’t even exchanged phone numbers after everything that’s gone down goes to show how strange this whole thing is. And I’m over it.
My every waking thought is consumed by her. I’ve been around the block enough times to know this is different.She’sdifferent. That first kiss may have been a farce, but Monday night was no playacting by either of us.
This is sloppy, for sure. I wouldn’t choose my biggest rival to jump into a relationship with. Things could definitely get ugly if it doesn’t work out. But that’s no reason to run scared. I’ve never backed away from a challenge, from something I’ve wanted, in my life.
And I’m not starting with Evie.
“Can I get you a coffee to go?”
Frank is a friend of my father’s, a restaurateur with decades of experience. Because he lives over an hour away, I volunteered to come to him, but Frank wanted to see the restaurant. His advice has been invaluable.
“You know what? I’ll take it.”
