Chapter 4

"Tristan?" I called out.

"Huh? Oh." Tristan snapped out of it. He cleared his throat, trying to play it cool. "So, you... You mean you want to find a guy and practice your moves, right?"

He got choked on his own words, fumbled for a tissue in his bag, wiped his mouth, and then set the bag on his lap.

My face was bright red too. "It's not like that. I just want to try living differently for once. I've always been way too well-behaved. Logan said I was dull, so he went and found someone else"

I reached for the bag on Tristan's lap, but he quietly held it down. "Alright, I get what you mean. Let me think about it, and I'll get back to you later."

'Wait, what does he need to think?' I wondered. 'I just want him to set me up with someone.'

But Tristan switched gears and said he'd take me out for something good to eat.

His world was pretty interesting. Tristan took me out to a farm, where we caught chickens and picked veggies ourselves. I got a real taste of country life.

By the time we got home, it was already past ten, and I was exhausted, my back aching.

I got out of the passenger seat, saw all the mud everywhere, and felt a bit sorry about the mess. "Sorry, your car got dirty."

Tristan didn't glance at it. "Don't worry about it. I'll pick you up tomorrow. Wear something casual, like pants."

"Okay."

"Don't overthink it. Get some sleep tonight."

"Alright."

*****

After saying goodbye to Tristan, I headed home and found Logan still hadn't come back.

I took a shower, washed away all the exhaustion, and lay down on the big bed. For the first time, I didn't feel empty or lonely.

I fell asleep quickly and didn't dream that night.

The next morning, I woke up feeling refreshed. After eating the breakfast, the maid, Violette, made and getting dressed, Tristan showed up right on time.

He was riding a motorcycle today, looking cool and badass. I walked over, and he handed me a helmet. "Let's go. Today, I'm taking you for something more exciting."

Tristan took me out for some street racing, going head-to-head with other crews.

Maybe it was fate, but the moment we arrived, I instantly spotted Logan sitting in the backseat of a car not far away.

He wasn't wearing a helmet, had a cigarette dangling from his lips, and was chatting with Ivy.

They said something, and then Ivy leaned in and kissed him right on the lips.

Without thinking, I grabbed the hem of Tristan's jacket, and he turned to look at me.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"That's my ex-husband," I said.

Tristan glanced over and swore under his breath. "That's really bad luck."

He tapped the visor of my helmet, then grabbed my hand and wrapped it around his waist. "Hang on tight. Let me show you how to put those two cheaters in their place."

We were racing so fast that it felt like the wind could rip the breath right out of me.

With Tristan's slick moves, we won the race.

Ivy got out of the car and took off her helmet.

It was the first time I'd seen her in person, and she was really gorgeous. And she looked strangely familiar.

Ivy had big, bouncy curls, and her eyes were full of that flirty, come-hither vibe.

She tilted her head, squinted, and flashed Tristan a smile. "Damn, handsome, you're pretty badass. Let me introduce myself. I'm Ivy Rowe, the VP of Sales at Whitney Group."

She was practically eyeing him up, waiting for him to flirt back.

It was no wonder Ivy was so bold. Tristan was tall and built, way sexier than Logan, who was lanky compared to Tristan.

But Tristan acted like he didn't hear her.

He turned to me and asked, "Were you scared?"

I shook my head. 'Nope, actually, it was kind of exciting.'

But I didn't feel like saying anything. I didn't want to deal with Logan and Ivy directly.

So, Tristan turned to Ivy and said, "Sorry, my girlfriend is a bit shy around strangers, so we'll skip the small talk and head out."

Ivy stepped right in front of the car. "Come on, you're grown. What is she so shy about? Let me show her how to have some fun."

Logan didn't bat an eye at his girl flirting with another guy. He stood there, hands in his pockets, eyes locked on me.

His eyes narrowed, and I couldn't tell what he was thinking.

Tristan said, "No, she doesn't like that."

Ivy looked annoyed. "What's the fun in someone so bland and timid?"

"Back off. My girl is not up for grabs whenever you feel like it."

Tristan ignored her, zipped up my jacket, and sped off, leaving Ivy in a cloud of exhaust.

With the wind whipping around us, I asked Tristan, "Why didn't you get her number?"

Tristan said, "I'm not into social butterflies. I like the shy ones."