He walks off, and I find a bench seat near the window. I perch up onto the stool and quickly text my mom.
Hi,
Everything okay with you guys?
A reply bounces straight back.
Yes love,
Kids are all in bed.
Goodnight,
xoxox
I text back.
Thanks Mom,
What would I do without you?
Love you
xox
My mom is a godsend. I don’t know what I would do without parents.
I hear a loud burst of laughter from the other side of the bar, and I glance over to see a group of men, and my eyes widen. A man has his back to me and is being animated as he tells a story. Everyone is listening and laughing as he speaks.
Fuck . . . I’d know the back of that man anywhere.
Expensive designer suit, wavy dark hair, broad shoulders, and perfect posture. Tristan Miles.
And I’m here with Gabriel.
Double fuck.
I glance over to the bar to see that Gabriel has just ordered, and the bartender is making our drinks. Oh no . . . too late to leave.
I shuffle my stool around so that my back is to Tristan. Hopefully he won’t see me.
We’ll have one quick drink, and then I’ll sneak out of here.
Eight million people live in New York City; what are the damn chances of being in the same bar as him?
I hear the loud burst of laughter again, and I peer over to see Tristan laughing out loud with the other men.
I do not need this shit tonight; can’t I just have a relaxing night with my friend without him turning up?
Gabriel returns to the table and passes my glass of wine over. “Thanks.” I take it from him a little too eagerly. I’m suddenly thirsty like a camel.
“How was your meeting?” Gabriel asks.
“Good.” I smile, grateful to take my mind off the gorgeous elephant in the room. “The advertising has picked up, and the figures this month were good. Hopefully it will continue.”
Gabriel’s eyes hold mine. “You know, I’ve been thinking.”
“Did it hurt?” I smirk into my wineglass.
“Why don’t you let me help you?”
“And how would you do that?”
“I could buy fifty percent of Anderson Media and take over half the debt. We could work together. I could even be a silent partner, if that’s what you prefer.”
“What?” I frown. This is the first time he’s ever mentioned anything like this.
“I’m serious. I have the contacts, and we could really build it up for the boys.”
I stare at him.
“And then”-he sips his drink casually-“when you got back on your feet, you could buy my portion back from me.”
“You’d do that?”
“Of course, anything for you. You know that.”
I frown and sip my drink.
“Claire Anderson,” the familiar voice says from behind my back.
Fucking hell.
I turn and see Tristan standing beside the table. “Oh, hi,” I stammer. I look between Gabriel and Tristan as they glare at each other.
“Drinking on a school night?” he asks.
“She’s on a date with me,” Gabriel snaps.
Tristan smiles sarcastically and pulls up a stool, as if undertaking a silent dare.
“Is that so?” He sits down and turns his attention to me.
The blood begins to drain from my face . . . get me out of here.
“Ah, Tristan, do you know Gabriel?” I ask nervously.
Tristan smiles and puts his hand out to shake Gabriel’s hand. “Hello, I’m Tristan Miles.”
Gabriel glares at him but doesn’t shake his hand. “I know who you are.”
Tristan smiles broadly and winks at him. “No handshake?”
Arrogance personified.
Fuck.