Instead, I thank him quietly and smile.
“So the famous Sammy. Zoe has told us a lot about you. It’s nice to finally meet you.” Tristan extends a hand out to Sammy.
“Good. I don’t want to be forgotten.” Sammy laughs, cutting me a sharp look.
“As if that would ever happen. Did she already ask you if you have a sister?” I ask Tristan, and he laughs, nodding before I even finish my question.
“Fuck me. Am I that predictable?”
“More like desperate,” I whisper, and she shoves my shoulder.
“Hi, Dominik,” Sammy says, blushing. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her this shy before. This must be the effect Dom has on everyone.
“Sorry, I meant to introduce you two, but I got distracted.” I bite my lip.
“We’ve already met.” Dominik winks at Sammy, and her face turns a deeper shade of red.
Oh, sweet Jesus.
“When?” I blurt out.
“Just earlier,” Sammy mumbles. Why is she struggling to speak?
“It’s Dom. Are you surprised at this point?” Tristan jokes right before he gently grabs my arm and pulls me aside. “Can we see you for a second?”
“What’s wrong?” I quickly get out, scanning the room and looking for some sort of emergency.
“Nothing. I just need to talk to you.” Tristan remains utterly calm, in stark contrast to Dominik who is watching me with furrowed brows, as if he expects me to erupt. Sammy continues to talk to him, completely unaware that he’s disengaged.
“Okay.”
Tristan doesn’t hesitate, turning around to face Sammy with the biggest smile. “We’re going to borrow Zoe for a second if that’s okay. It was so wonderful to meet you, and we’ll be back to catch up. We can grab a drink, and I’ll tell you all about my older sister.”
Sammy beams, looking at the boys before her eyes land on me. “Sounds good. Let me know if you need help with anything, Zo.”
“I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere.” I squeeze her hand before turning to walk out of the main gallery room with Dominik and Tristan.
I wait for someone to break the silence, but we just keep walking until I can’t take it anymore.
“Is one of you going to tell me what’s going on?”
“Your parents are here,” Tristan casually says, but I might have misheard him. I disconnect immediately, feeling numb while concentrating on the echo of our footsteps in the quiet hallway.
“Zo?” Dom takes my hand, and I blankly look up at him.
“Hm?”
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.” I shrug it off.
Tristan stops by a gray door, as he pulls the handle and waits for Dominik and me to enter an empty utility room.
Tristan locks eyes with me as soon as the door shuts.
“I assume you heard what I said back there, so I won’t repeat it. But I need you to follow Aaron’s lead. Can you do that for me? I know you don’t like to see your parents, but I promise you, this will be the last time.”
“What do you mean it’ll ‘be the last time?’ Is that where Aaron is? He’s with them?”
