He raised his voice as Noah dashed from the kitchen and dove into hisbedroom.
“Just a minute. Promise.” His muffled replied was followed my doors banging and drawers clicking as he apparently gotdressed.
Noah kept his word and returned before Tristan finished putting away the dishes from breakfast. He tossed a plastic bag toward Noah, who caught it in the air like a professional football player. “Thanks, bro.” Noah said, his mouth full of the cheese and ham sandwich Tristan had packed forhim.
“Noproblem.”
The trip to the clinic was uneventful and they found Lilly in a great mood. It was too early in the morning, so she was still in bed. Tristan sat on it, while Noah plopped himself in an armchairnearby.
“Izzie called Arthur, on that video app thingy, the other day when she visited. I felt like I was looking at you at fourteen,” Lilly said, squeezing the hand Tristan had placed overhers.
“I know,right?”
Noah snorted. “Hope the boy gets some of his mom’s talent because it seems he got the short end of the stick where beauty isconcerned.”
Tristan ignored the comment. “He’s a great kid, mom. Izzie has done a great job. I’mimpressed.”
Lilly nodded. “I’m not surprised. She’s a great people person. Just like this fellow here.” She tipped her head in Noah’sdirection.
“That he is. I don’t say it often enough, but I’m so glad I’ve got you in my corner,man.”
“Whoa. Hold on a second there before you get all mushy on me. You’re beginning to sound like a man on his deathbed, dude. Snap out of it, willyou?”
“Noah’s got a good point. You’ll be fine, this kind of surgery isn’t a big deal nowadays. You’ll be back in action in a few weeks. And I expect to see your sorry ass back here in a couple of months. You’re not getting rid of me that easily, youngman.”
Tristan buried his face on his mom’s neck and held her tight. She had lost weight and her fragile frame scared the shit out of him, but he needed that hug like a man in a desert needs water. The warmth of her palms stroking his shoulders made him believe everything was going to turn outfine.
“You’re not getting rid of me that easily, ma’am.” Tristan’s voice got muted by his mom’shair.
Noah’s hand clamped on Tristan’s shoulder and pried him away from Lilly. “Enough, enough. I want in on some of that sugar too.” He got between Lilly and Tristan. “Grouphug!”
“Silly man.” Lilly chuckled, when Noah stepped back. “You’re lucky I loveyou.”
“Love you back,” Noah replied as he laced his fingers through hers. “Big T will be back in no time, but I’ll come visit you every other day.Promise.”
“Thanks, man,” Tristan whispered. Air caught in his throat didn’t allow for more thanthat.
“Not a problem,” Noah assured him, averting hisstare.
Tristan bet his friend was getting all mushy on him, but Noah would never admitit.
* * *
His afternoon appointmentfor another ECG went well. Then, then the nurses collected samples of bodily fluids to run multiple tests. Izzie stood by his side through the whole thing. They got back to her hotel around six in theevening.
When he parked in the underground garage, Izzie turned to him and said, “You’ve had an intense day, I bet you’re exhausted, but you should eat something before heading home. I mean, you live on the next block, so you’d still be home quickly. Plus, I didn’t see much food in your fridge yesterday and I doubt Noah went grocery shopping today. Would you like to grab something quick before yougo?”
Tristan hesitated. Izzie was becoming a fixture in his new life. Despite his recent soul searching, and everyone telling him he still had feelings for her, he hadn’t made up his mind about the subject. He definitely didn’t enjoy the uncertainty. He’d better nip it in thebud.
“Sounds good. Then, we can discuss travelingarrangements.”
What?! Where the hell did this come from?He mentally slapped his forehead, when his mouth ran away like a fucking freighttrain.
“Awesome.”
He wondered if his imagination was tricking him. He could have sworn Izzie agreed to his plan too fast. Either way, they ambled to the elevator and once in, he reached out to press the button and realized he didn’t know which one. “What floor to therestaurant?”
She swiped a keycard and pressed the penthouse button. “Know what? We should order room service. We’re tired and I don’t feel like meeting people. I love fans, don’t get me wrong. I just don’t want to put on a happy facetonight.”
