“I was starting to think I missed you.”
“I don’t think you can miss someone you’ve only met twice.”
“Then I’m glad we made it three times.”
She laughed again, not so much at his words but at the fact that her cheeks heated with them, leaving her feeling flushed, off-balance. God, blushing twice in one day? What was going on?
“Tristan! I’m glad my dad finally got you to stop by!” Piper announced, practically leaning over the entire width of the bar to insert herself between them. “Do you two know each other?”
“Her sister threw a paint-filled balloon at me a few weeks ago,” Tristan said with a smile.
Lizzy rolled her eyes playfully. “To be fair, I think you were just collateral damage.”
“Nothing a long, hot shower couldn’t fix,” he replied.
Jane instantly melted, a smile on her lips. “Hi, I’m Lizzy’s sister Jane.”
“Tristan,” he said, taking her hand.
“It’s nice to meet you.”
“My dad won’t shut up about you,” Piper said, her chin resting in her hand. “I haven’t seen him this excited about HamptonFest since he came up with the idea. You’ve set the bar high.”
“Well, I hope I exceed your expectations.”
Piper smiled dreamily.
Lizzy wasn’t sure she had ever seen Piper swoon over a man before, especially since she’d been in a serious long-distance relationship with her girlfriend, Sasha, for the past three years, but right now it looked like she was pretty close.
Over a basket of fresh Tater Tots, the three of them listened as Tristan talked about his plans for the inaugural HamptonFest next summer, how everyone from Bono to Beyoncé was just a DM away. He had stories of partying with Leo, attending Art Basel with the painter Max Betrug—his contacts were seemingly endless.
He was in the middle of detailing his plan to get the permits required for Gretna Island when something at the front of the bar caught Jane’s eye and she lit up. They all turned to see Charlie and Will enter. Charlie’s eyes scanned the room, and when he found Jane’s, he lit up, too. Will noticed their group at the same time, his gaze lingering on Lizzy before landing on Tristan. Something fiery and raw flashed across his expression, but then it was gone, replaced by his usual frown as he leaned over to whisper something to Charlie.
Tristan turned, swallowing down the rest of his beer. His expression was altered, too, but Lizzy had a hard time reading it. Still, she knew enough that whatever passed between him and Will wasn’t good.
“Want to go grab some fresh air?” she asked him.
A bit of relief softened his features, and he nodded. “I’d like that.”
Lizzy grabbed her beer and another one for Tristan, then dragged him away from the bar before the two other men arrived. They avoided the dance floor, weaving their way around the crowd until they reached the Irish Goodbye Door.
The air outside was humid and thick, so the music seemed to still vibrate around them even after the door closed. It helped fill the silence as she took a sip of her beer and leaned back against the building’s shingle siding.
Tristan settled across from her by the railing of the small porch.
“So,” he said.
She smiled. “So.”
“Are those two guys friends of yours?”
“Which one, specifically.”
“Will Darcy.”
“No,” she said, shaking her head once. “Not a friend.”
He nodded and took a sip of his drink.
