Page 61 of Dirty Little Mistake

"I know. I'm sorry, but I promise this is different. I'm in love with you."

My chest swelled as I let the silence stretch, weighing my words carefully. "Then no. Owen and I... we're still just friends."

His face lit up in a way I'd never seen before. "So, you're my girlfriend then?"

"Yes, but Trystan, if you fuck this up, I'm gone forever." His smile faded, and he nodded. "I'm going to bed. Call me tomorrow."

"Good night, baby."

I disconnected and stared out into the darkness. I wanted to be excited, but I'd been down this road with Trystan before, and he had a way of self-sabotaging himself, but I meant what I said. He wouldn't get another chance.

Chapter 29

Camryn

Ibalanced my phone between ear and shoulder, wrestling with my keys. "Do you want to come over and watch a movie?"

"Uh, no." Kaia's voice wavered. "I, uh…"

My spine stiffened at the telltale stutter. "Kai." I dropped my keys into my palm. "You stutter when you're about to lie."

A nervous laugh crackled through the phone. "I can't tonight." The door swung open to darkness, my footsteps echoing in the empty house. "But call me later."

"Okay." I traced my fingers along the wall, searching for the light switch. "If your plans fall through. Come over. I'm free tonight."

I was practically free every night. This whole long-distance relationship sucked.

She snickered, and I narrowed my eyes. "What's going on?"

"I gotta go. Love you." And she was gone.

I pulled the phone away from my ear and stared at the blank screen for a moment. "That was definitely weird." Like whenshe'd tried to plan a surprise party for my birthday only to end up completely giving it away because she was a terrible liar.

I dropped my boxing gear bag on the floor and flicked on a light in the living room.

"I need a shower," I said, trying to fill the quiet house. "And then popcorn and movie." Trystan would call once he had a chance, but that wouldn't be until later.

I pounded up the stairs, flicking on lights as I went so the big house wouldn't feel so empty.

Throwing open my bedroom door, I froze.

"Oh my god." The whisper came out in a rush. One candle flickered by the door. Then another. And another. My gaze followed their trail, each flame leading deeper into the room until—roses. Everywhere. Blood-red petals scattered across every surface, vase after vase filled with dozens of red roses, their sweet scent filling the air.

"I..." My heart stuttered. "Who would..."

My phone rang, and my pulse jumped at the sight of Trystan's name. I slid right, and there he was—hair still damp from a post-show shower, dark hair falling across his forehead in that way that always made my fingers itch to brush it back. The familiar shadow of stubble along his jaw couldn't hide his dimples as he grinned.

"Did you do this?"

"Do you like it?" Even through the screen, his eyes caught the candlelight.

A familiar warmth spread through my chest—the same feeling I got every time he looked at me like that, like I was the only person in his world.

"I love it." My voice came out softer than intended, almost reverent. "But how?"

"Kaia helped," he answered. "I wanted to take you on a date even though we are hundreds of miles away."

I smiled, the awkward conversation between Kaia and me suddenly making a lot more sense now.

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