“Better than okay. Thank you.” I wish I could kiss him, but I don’t know if that’s allowed. He’s touching me, but we’re not here together. Not as a couple. Are we?
Another woman sidles up to the table. Her black hair spills around her narrow, muscular shoulders, and her black dress hugs her lean frame. “Sorry to interrupt, but I’m pretty sure you’re the reason my husband wants an assistant. We haven’t been properly introduced.” She holds out a hand. “I’m Knova Abbott.”
“Knight’s twin,” Tristan explains.
“And Viktor’s wife.” Knova grins as she shakes my hand. “He would have me believe that you’re the second coming. Can I borrow you for a moment?”
“Oh, um. Yes?”
Tristan cuts in. “Her family’s here. If one of them tries to talk to her, can you bring her back over?”
“We hate them,” Dot adds.
“Ah, understood. We won’t be long.” Knova takes my arm and guides me away to an empty table. “Sorry if you don’t want to talk about work right now, but Viktor keeps blathering about how great you are.”
I blink at her. “He does? He’s never talked to me.” I don’t know what she wants, but I hope she’s not about to accuse me of seducing her husband or something.
Knova sighs. “And yet, apparently, you tricked him into eating vegetables? He’s convinced that an assistant would help him perfect his game. I don’t think he needs one, but… well, I wouldn’t mind supporting him more. So, what do you do for Tristan that’s so special?”
Oh, thank goodness. This reallyisa work question, and it’s always easier to talk about work than about myself. “For starters, I created a performance dashboard.”
Knova rests her elbows on the table. “Interesting. In bed?”
My face heats up. “On ice. Although things like consistent sleep can help with that.”
She nods thoughtfully. “Right. Maybe I need a performance dashboard for Viktor. He’s not doing well lately.”
“In… bed?”
She snorts. “On the ice. We’re good there, trust me.”
I consider this. “Have you checked his macros? His REM sleep?”
“No, but I could learn more about nutrition. Adjust what we’re eating. It would probably be good for both of us.”
“So what are you doing to help his performance now?”
Knova purses her lips and squints at the ceiling. “Mostly blowjobs?”
“I… what?”
“Works every time.” She winks at me. “And they improve his sleep. Hey, maybe I’m already doing more than I realized.
“Huh. I’ve never tried that.” This warrants further research.
“Ah, I thought so.” Knova gestures toward my face. “You’re a couple.”
“No, we’re not.”
She arches an eyebrow.
“I mean, not officially. We’re just…” Whatarewe?
“You’re a couple,” she insists. “You’re clearly interested in him, and I’ve never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at you. He likes you. Maybe more than likes you. Don’t doubt it for a minute.”
As we make our way back to the table, I wonder if she’s right. The rules around relationships are so complicated, and I’ve never fully understood them. With Tristan, though, the ambiguity isn’t a source of stress. Being with him is wonderful. For now, that’s enough.
The appetizers on my plate have gone cold. My drink is flat. Tristan leans in close to ask, “Want to ditch this boring party and find a new food truck?”
