Maybe I hope he’s not, but I am not going to be stupid on this.
No, I’m going to be smart, step back, pretend I’m righteously angered by his stupid suggestions, and go break up with my boyfriend.
Instead of that, though, my cheeks redden just a touch, and I tuck my hair behind my ear. “I think…I’ve already done enough stupid things.” I stare into his brown eyes.
He stares back. “Probably. You did get your truck stuck in the mud.”
My jaw drops, and I place my hands on my hips. “Excuse me, it was storming.”
Tristan leans against the glass case. “Yes, I’m aware, but I didn’t get stuck.”
“Well, aren’t you special,” I say, taking a step closer to him.
He pushes off the case, moving toward me. “I think I am.”
I think he’s an ass.
“You’re not,” I counter.
“I’m not so sure you believe that.” Another step.
God, if we keep this up, I’m going to be wrapped around him soon.
Just then Suzanne comes around, and we both jump back. “Sorry! I had to find the other pies that I put aside.” She walks around, extending a box to him. “Oh, good, you didn’t kill each other.” Then she looks to the window. “What the hell are Mrs. Powell and Mrs. Canta doing plastered against the window?”
“Staring at us,” I say with a heavy sigh.
Suzanne laughs. “All right then.”
Tristan lifts the box. “Thank you. I’m assuming Roni paid already?”
“Uh, she didn’t. She said you’d take care of it…”
I love this right now. That is so something I would do to my brother.
“Of course she did.” He places the box down and then reaches into his back pocket and pulls out his wallet. “Here you go. Now what do you need me to do for this volunteer thing?”
I step in quickly. “You don’t have to help. I can manage it.”
“I’m here to help. Why would I not fulfill my obligations?”
“Maybe because you’re a Stone.”
I hate the words as soon as they’re out of my mouth. I don’t think that way. Sure, my brothers and father do, but Tristan helped me. He had my truck towed, when he definitely didn’t have to do that. He’s a good father, and Emmy Jo loved him, which considering I loved her, must mean something.
“Yes, well, us Stones keep our word,” he clips the words back.
Yeah, I really wish I didn’t say that.
“That’s great, but I’m able to do it without your help,” I say, standing my ground.
I do not want Tristan around. It’s so much better if I’m not forced to be with him. All of this…tension isn’t good for either of us. We need space. A lot of it.
I glance at my best friend, needing her to put her foot down, hopefully in a way that kicks him out the door.
Instead of doing what I silently beg of her, she grins. “You know what, since you guys are both here now, it would be a huge help if you could assemble the containers that the food will go in.”
I’m going to kill her.
