Page 35 of My Mistake To Make

‘Can I get another?’

‘I need to use the bathroom,’ I say in a rush and push myself up to standing as Zoe glares at her brother with murder in her eyes.

In the bathroom, I brace myself on the countertop and stare at my reflection.

What is so wrong with me that people can just decide right off the bat that I’m not their cup of tea? Zoe and Bree don’t seem to see it. Missy doesn’t, Doris either. They all seem to think I’m pretty great. In fact, aside from Doug, everyone I’ve met here seems to like me, but just like everyone back home, all he sees is the annoying oddball that he doesn’t want to associate with. Unlike with everyone back home, I’ve never been this bothered by it.

I push open the door and start to make my way back to the bar when a man approaches. He looks to be about my age, and he’s handsome. Blond, bright blue eyes, clean-shaven, and no tattoos. Not things I would have noticed before, but now I can’t help noticing hownot Dougthey are.

‘Hey, Cara, right?’ He smiles, and that is a very nice smile.

‘Um, yeah, hello.’

‘I’m Tristan. You’re the talk of the town, and we haven’t met yet, so I wanted to introduce myself.’

He holds out his hand, and I take it.

‘Oh, well, it’s nice to meet you, Tristan.’

‘I wanted to see if maybe you wanted to dance?’

I look toward the dance floor, where couples sway and spin smoothly to the music, and I feel the heat in my cheeks at the thought.

‘Oh,’ I release a laugh. ‘I don’t think that’s a good idea if you like your toes. I was blessed with two left feet.’

Tristan releases a loud laugh, and I notice Bree and Zoe both turn to look in our direction.

‘Come on.’ He tugs, and I realize he’s still holding my hand. ‘Let me show you.’

I don’t know why, but I let him pull me toward the dance floor.

Tristan turns me to face him. His hand on my lower back pulls my body close to his as he holds my other hand.

‘You can put that one anywhere you like,’ he winks, ‘but I suggest my shoulder.’

I realize my free hand is hanging limply to the side and giggle awkwardly as I raise it up to his shoulder.

‘Okay, just trust me.’ He holds me a little closer, and I can’t help but smile. He has this beaming grin, and he smells absolutely delicious.

‘Oh god.’ I cackle as I immediately stand on his foot, and he laughs.

‘That’s okay, that’s fine. Can’t say you didn’t warn me. Let’s try it again.’

The hand on my back splays, his fingers spreading until the tip of his little finger brushes the waistband of my jeans and dips inside just a fraction. I look up to meet his searching eyes as he lowers his gaze to my lips, and his tongue peeks out to run along his.

Is he… Oh, God. Is he considering kissing me?

‘Tristan.’

The deep voice behind me is sharp enough that it makes me jump before all the hairs on my body stand on end. Tristan looks up and smiles, but Doug’s eyes are cold and maybe even angry. If he were fixing that gaze on me, I would not be grinning the way Tristan is. I’d be wilting like spinach in a hot pan.

‘Doug. Hey, man.’

‘Can we talk? I have some work I want to discuss with you.’ God, he’s gruff.

‘Now?’ Tristan narrows his gaze at Doug, then flicks it briefly to me, and I know enough about men to read that message:Dude, you’re cockblocking me here. If he’d said it out loud, I’d have assured him this wasn’t going further than a sorry attempt at dancing. Instead, I look up at Doug and notice the way his jaw ticks as though he’s grinding his teeth together, but he doesn’t look at me—he holds Tristan’s gaze the whole time.

‘Yeah, now. Cara, Bree was looking for you.’

---