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“Those are two of my favourite snacks, plus we have the same favourite show. I think this might be a sign,” Tristan said, still with that teasing, flirty tone that made me come over all giddy and nervous.

“A sign of what?”

He sat back on the mattresses and grabbed one of the pillows, fluffing it up before tucking it behind his head as he got comfortable. “That we should stay and hang out for a while.”

I studied him, honestly sure he was joking again. “But aren’t you in the middle of working out or something?” He wore grey tracksuit pants and a black T-shirt, his hair mussed and sweaty like he’d been lifting weights. It was a very attractive look, but I’d been too embarrassed about being caught here to notice when he’d first appeared. Now, well, it was difficult not to stare at the way his T-shirt clung to his biceps.

“I was working out in the hotel gym with my brother when I spotted you, yes, but it’s fine. I can take a little break, so long as you don’t mind me being a bit sweaty.”

I didn’t mind, not even a little. Something told me Tristan’s sweat would be a good smell. My heart hammered at the sight of him lounging comfortably in the very same spot I’d slept in the last two nights. “What about your brother? Won’t he wonder where you are?”

Tristan pulled out his phone, typed out a text, then tucked the phone back in his pocket. “All taken care of. Come on, put the episode back on. I want to see what’s happening with our favourite Orange County teens.” There was a pause before he continued, “Oh, but I do have one slightly awkward question to ask first.”

“Okay?”

He glanced around, a look of concern on his face when he said, “Where exactly have you been going to the bathroom?”

The question had such a loud guffaw bursting out of me that I immediately covered my mouth with my hands. Tristan smiled in amusement, and I laughed as I responded, “Don’t worry. I haven’t been hoarding bottles of pee or anything. If I need to go, I sneak downstairs and use the bathrooms near the restaurant.”

Tristan swiped his hand across his forehead, “Phew. I thought we were going to have an uncomfortable conversation there for a second.”

I shoved his shoulder, charmed by his teasing. “I haven’t gone feral just yet.”

“To my immense relief.” He smiled again, and my heart thrummed. Tristan had such an easy way about him. I enjoyed being around him, but I was also grateful to him for acting like this was normal and not one of the oddest, saddest, most pathetic situations he’d ever encountered.

I was sure he’d never found a girl squatting in the hotel attic before, and he certainly hadn’t asked if he could stay and watch reality TV with her.

7.

Erin

When I woke up I was alone. My alarm was vibrating next to me, and I needed to get up for school. I’d turned off the usual beeping sound in case anyone heard it, but thankfully the vibration was still loud enough to wake me.

Sitting up, I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and peered about. Where was Tristan? I’d obviously fallen asleep, and he’d left me to rest. My laptop was plugged out and set aside, and it looked like someone had covered me with the blanket. The thought of Tristan doing that made my cheeks heat.

The last thing I remembered was him lying next to me as we watched episodes of Laguna Beach, discussing our theories on what was going to happen between the main cast members.

Being around Tristan was surprisingly comfortable. I didn’t feel tense with him, not like I often did with boys when it was obvious they wanted something from you. Tristan didn’t give me that impression. To be honest, it really felt like he wanted to be my friend, which was odd because he was one of the most popular boys at school with no shortage of people to hang out with. Maybe it was too much pressure to be that popular, as well as an athlete, and he found solace in spending time with me because I was no one, and he didn’t need to impress me.

He never mentioned me leaving the attic, nor did he say I needed to get out and find somewhere else to stay. Maybe it went without saying that I should leave. But I still needed to store my things here while I was at school. I could come back and get everything later.

Dressing quickly, I headed out, making it to school early so that I could shower in the girls’ changing rooms. If I didn’t go back to Sloane, I was going to have to find somewhere to launder my clothes, but that was a problem for later.

I’d just finished drying my hair when the other students started to arrive. I was leaving the changing room and heading towards the lockers when my phone rang. I didn’t recognise the number but answered it anyway.

“Hello?”

“Is this Erin?”

“Yes, speaking.”

“Oh hey! Tara here. We met at Christine’s last week. I interviewed you for the part-time position?”

My stomach knotted. She was probably calling to say I’d been unsuccessful. Surely I hadn’t gotten the job after the way I acted at the end of the interview.

I swallowed thickly. “Hi Tara. Good to hear from you.”

“I’m calling with good news. We’d like to offer you the job if you’re still interested?”