Page 231 of 7+Us Makes Nine

Everything I thought of him, the fantasy I built up came crashing down. I stepped back around the corner, leaning on the wall as I tried to catch my breath. I almost felt sick. Perhaps because I was both devastated and confused, mostly hurt at the truth. When I felt the wetness in my eyes I mentally cursed him for even making me feel this way.

But it was disappointing to think that everything I thought is a lie. Maybe I built him up in my head, but that night wasn’t a lie. He seemed very kind, more down to earth than anyone in that room. He felt good, too. I realized I was mostly disappointed he was taken but was fine with it if he was the type to cheat on his fiancé.

Before I knew it, I was walking away. I should not be unprofessional, but I just couldn’t do it. My emotions would overcome me and then I would have a bad reputation if I treated him badly or didn’t do a good job. I almost wished I hadn’t replied to the email because then it would seem I just never got it. But I did.

He would know I ignored him. And didn’t come. He couldn’t know it was me from the party, could he? I know I never told him, but there was a possibility he knew.

Either way, I was definitely never seeing him again.

Chapter Fourteen

Tristan

I grumbled, heading straight to the bathroom. I thought the hustle of the morning would make me forget about my ritualistic day dream of that woman, but it didn’t. When I was out of the shower, her face ran through my head. I imagined her in my bathroom, washing her face in the vanity, or brushing her teeth as I watched her tits bounce in the mirror.

I need to stop before I make myself late. The weather was hot, so I wore linen instead of cotton. The shop was farther in the city, so I took out my Tesla for the first time in a while. I realized I was paying an arm and leg for storing cars that I never drove.

I followed the directions and got to the floral shop a bit early. They weren’t open yet. Emilia’s was the name, and it fit. I peeked in the window, the flowers were beautiful, of course. Whoever it was did a good job with the gala, so I was sure they would do great with the wedding. I smiled softly when I saw the lilacs in the front, it was like my mother was reminding me to be nice and charitable. Help a friend in need and all that.

I leaned against the wall and waited, I was sure she would be here eventually. I busied myself with old emails, just checking on my stocks and the day trades. But it was taking too long. I waited and waited. Then noon came around and still nothing. I double checked the address, and I was in the right place.

I couldn’t believe she was a no show. Mom made her sound so professional, and she obviously was judging from her past work. So why the hell did she waste my time? I waited until ten after, maybe something happened. But by half after I was done waiting and stormed off.

I sped off back to the city and stopped at the red light almost too late. Maybe I got pissed easily, but I just didn’t like being stood up, or when people didn’t show up to meetings that they confirmed. She replied Levi’s email, so I know she knew about it.

As if I didn’t have enough to deal with, the car started ringing from a Bluetooth phone call. I pressed the answer button without checking who it was.

“Hello?” I barked.

“Someone is pissy.” I recognized that sultry, Latin voice. Gabriella had always been hot, I mean I wasn’t blind. But she had always been Levi’s.

“Hi, Gabriella.” I sighed, trying to calm down. Maybe something just came up and she contacted Levi instead of me. But I never like tardiness or anything like that. My employees knew meeting days were nothing to play with. My time was precious. I could have been sleeping.

“I just wanted to call and thank you for helping us out. Levi is working so hard on this case.”

“Yeah, he is. It’s no problem.”

“Did you already meet with the florist? I was hoping I could see some pictures. I have rounds for the next twelve hours.” I gritted my jaw in annoyance again.

“I didn’t. She didn’t show up.”

“Aw, well I was hoping I could get that done today. I was trying to stay on track as much as I could since the other florist quit. I guess I just have bad luck with florists.” She trailed off. Fuck, she sounded pretty sad.

“I’ll call her and tell her to get her shit together. Don’t worry about it.”

She gasped, “Really?” I smiled a bit. See, I could be nice.

“Yeah. I’ll call you later.”

I hung up. I stopped at the Starbucks around the corner for some iced coffee. I needed serious caffeine and something to really cool me off. Then I called the florist and it went to voicemail after two rings. Seriously?

So, I just took the opportunity to leave an angry voicemail, asshole move. But I was mad.

“Miss Michelle, this is Tristan Cox. We were scheduled to meet today, and I was waiting outside your shop for you to show up, but you didn’t. Obviously. The bride and I are on a tight schedule, so we need to meet today. Call me back.”

I pressed end, almost cracking the phone in the process. Maybe that was an exaggeration, but I was close enough. Once I finished my coffee, I still hadn’t gotten a reply. So, I called her again, and there was still no answer. I had half a mind to find another one, but apparently, a two-week deadline isn’t something florists were very fond of. If we wanted to stay on track, we were sort of stuck with the no show girl. I was already invested in this, and I take things very seriously. It may seem like only a favor, but I go for things head on. And it pissed me off when other people block me.

I hate to think ill of the girl, but she needed to answer her damn phone. Maybe she got in a wreck or something. That would be the only acceptable excuse right now.

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