Chapter 8

This is bliss. I am sitting in a field of daisies and dandelions, and I marvel at the dandelion seeds blowing lazily in the gentle breeze. I run my hand along the tips of the soft grass, relishing in my solitude in this vast and never-ending meadow. Holding my face upwards to feel the warm light of the mid-summer day, I breathe in this fresh country air.

All of a sudden, this nagging crow flies over me and caws at me. I shake my arms at it, hoping it will fly away. But it comes back, swooping low over my head and caws louder.

Why won't this bird go away? I'm getting annoyed now and I wave my hands to shoo it away but it's on a mission now. Caw, caw, caw!

Like a jolt to my system, I am jerked awake to the sound of a kookaburra chirping outside. Light is everywhere.

I am comfortable and warm - in this bed. ButI open my eyes, and blink rapidly to look upon the ceiling that is not mine. It's a cool light blue instead of warm white. And these are not my sheets covering my body, it's a thick red gingham comforter. They smell different, a vanilla scent instead of lavender. The large window to my left has views of Sydney Harbour. My window has a view of the apartment complex garden. Hold onI can see Sydney Harbour to my left? That means I'm high up

I sit up, the headboard behind me solid wood unlike my tufted one.I need to get up and make sense of all of this. Where am I? The room I'm in is spacious but empty there's this bed beneath me, a glass desk and a few stacked boxes at the end corner. And the bedside table next to me with a glass of water and a note next to it.

I pick it up and read the scrawly handwriting.

Your shoes and bag are at the door.

When you wake up, I will make you something to eat.

Who is this stranger who wants to make me breakfast? What happened last night? I'm still in my dress from yesterday, and my face is still full of makeup. Splintered memories of the previous night come back in slow trickles.I drank - a lot.I left Gabe's place and tried to drive his car to my place but I bumped intoTristan? My brother's best friend?

Oh god. Is this his place?

Did he take me home? Did heput me in this bed? The idea of another man with his hands on me makes my stomach nauseous and full of butterflies at the same time. I grab the glass of water and drink it in two big gulps, helping to pacify my nerves.

Putting the glass down, I force myself out of bed, ignoring the swirling sensation in my head. Whoa, steady. The alcohol has still not left my system, clearly. Once I am on my feet, I reach for the wall to prop myself up as I walk along the timber floor in my bare feet. I am never drinking this much again. Oh, who am I kidding? Turning the silver door handle, I open the door gently and slowly peek out to see his apartment.

This is not my home. My place is a cramped two-bedroom apartment with shelves stacked with binder folders and an abundance of antiques.Instead, I am looking out into an expansive open plan living room, glass-framed interiors with floor to ceiling windows. Natural sunlight pours from every corner. I can see Sydney Harbour just outside, the water sparkling underneath the sun. Holy moly, I am pretty high up. Breathing loudly, I focus on the rest of the room - the non-windowed part of the room.

Walking out slowly, I quickly scan the four white walls. It's rather empty. Aside from two large white bookshelves with a small television in the middle of them and a white lounge set, it's a whole lot of open living space. It doesn't feel like a home, everything is too pristine. There's hardly any books on the shelves, there's no messy pile of newspapers of junk mail on the coffee table. No photos to indicate who lives here. The walls are bare of anything, even framed art work.

I make my way to sit down on the leather couch and it feels brand new; taut on my skin. I'm supposed to be getting married today, but instead I'm sitting in this penthouse. What should I do? Should I leave? Should I leave a note?

All of a sudden I hear the sound of keys being inserted into the keyhole and my heart leaps into my mouth. Who is on the other side?

The door opens, and to my relief Tristan strolls in with a large shopping bag. I've never been more relieved to see Tristan in my life surely hell has frozen over. I've gone from not seeing him for four years to staying over at his place yep, big transition.

I blink rapidly at the sight of him. He's in black sweat pants, which I never find attractive but it highlights his long legs. As he walks closer I can't help but notice his strong arms and broad chest in a loose white singlet. Holy bejeezus, when did he get this buff? I definitely don't remember him with a body like this. His cropped dark hair allows his face to be on full display, showing off his rectangular jawline and distinct cheekbones. He looks like a completely different person

Whoa, did I just check him out? What the hell is wrong with me?Snap out of it.I must still be drunk, surely.

"Morning," I smile at him weakly, quickly combing my voluminous hair with my fingers, desperate to fluff down the bird's nest sitting on my head.

"What's cooking? How's your head?" He flashes a casual grin, revealing perfect white teeth. I forgot what a nice smile he had.

Bad. I was just perving on youGAH! I mean I was just admiring the view! I need to stop this, right now!

"Better than last night."

He places the shopping bag on the charcoal granite bench top and takes out a carton of eggs, a bag of mushrooms, and a loaf of bread. He notices me watching him and he returns it with a drawn out gaze, his dark eyes penetrating. With a five o'clock shadow and his hair all scruffy, the just-rolled-out-of-bed look bodes well on him.

"How did I get here?" My voice is soft, sheepish.

"I took you here because despite my efforts to wake you up, you were out cold. You look a lot better now. I guess you're just a featherweight. Not to mention, you're light as a feather too."

I swallow hard at the thought of him handling my body like that.

Tristan continues to take the rest of the contents out of the bag, revealing a small bunch of truss tomatoes and deodorant.

"I don't know what to say"

"How about thanks, or muchas gracias," he says cheekily.

Who knows what could have happened if I got in that car. Who knows what could have happened if it was someone else who saw me on the street. He saved me from doing something reckless and dangerous.

I walk to the spotless kitchen, with its over-bright lighting and nickel-brushed appliances, and observe him peel the mushrooms into the sink, standing on the other side of the kitchen island.

"Well, I mean aside from that. I don't know how to repay you for taking me in."

He shrugs his shoulders "As easy as pie, you're Hanny's sister, of course I would take care of you. I have to say, I almost didn't recognise you." He looks up from the mushrooms and casts a quick glance up and down my body. "You're so different. Your hair, your" he pauses, "You're definitely not the girl I remember."

"Gee thanks"

"You look really good."

My eyes go wide at the way he said that. If I'm mistaken, was he checking me out just now?

"Oh thanks"

"Then I heard you speak, and I knew it was you. I could recognise that nasally nagging voice anywhere," he snorts as he starts chopping the mushrooms.

Oh. No, he was definitely not checking me out. "Same goes for you. What happened to your ratty ponytail? And that awful black earring?"

He raises a finger at me. "Hey, I rocked that ponytail. Everyone said I looked like a rock star."

I scoff. "You wish. More like a pimply doofus than rock star."

A husky laugh leaves his mouth. "I think we can all be forgiven for experimenting with fashion back in high school. Say for example, somebody's creepy schoolgirl get-up"

My mouth goes agape. I loved my braids, they were cute! Change of topic needed stat! I clear my throat, walking closer until I'm standing right in front of him. I straighten my dress. "Did you put me to bed?"

"Yes." His face is unrevealing.

"Did I throw up?"

"No." Thank goodness.

"Did we sleep in the same bed?"

"No." Phew.

"Did you" I trail off, embarrassed to complete my question. My cheeks flush at the suggestion.

He quirks an eyebrow, glancing at me inquisitively. "Did I what? You're talking like an idiot, which isn't far from the truth," he says mockingly.

"Of course I have to talk like an idiot, how else are you going to understand me?"

His mouth pops open for a brief second, before lifting slightly in a wry smile. "Who would have thought Miss Strait-laced was this trashy? Dare I ask what happened?"

I can see it in his eyes. He's laughing at me, the bastard.Somehow I've been made to feel like this sloppy mess who is out of control. "I'd rather not talk about it," I say dryly. He doesn't need to hear about my sob story.

"You do realise; I'm going to tell Hansley about this." No, he can't tell him. Hansley might be a jokester at heart but he is my big brother and ultra-protective of me, he would totally lecture me about this stunt.

I take a deep breath, hiding a look of panic well. "Can I eat first, please?"

"Who said the breakfast was for you? I was hoping you would have left by now," he stares at me impassively before breaking out into a grin. "Just kidding, it will be ready shortly. I'm guessing you will want coffee?"

He continues preparing the food and I observe him for a minute. He's gotten really good-looking, even if he's not my usual type. His strong-looking demeanour is further highlighted by his commanding and tall frame. He makes Adam seem practically tiny. Gentle giant, they used to call him in high school. Huge, colossal tool is more like it. He has bushy eyebrows and a slightly crooked nose. He's got these ridiculously large, big-knuckled hands, which can almost be mistaken for bear paws and that insufferable smirk which used to drive me nuts. But there's always been something striking about him and if you add all his features together he is a very attractive guy, a distinctiveness which separates him from the generic standard of male good looks.

I walk towards him, grabbing a bread knife from the knife block before grabbing the loaf of sourdough. "Well I think first things first, you need to tell me what the hell you are doing back here," I hedge.

I see a splash of anger painted on his eyes. "I'm done with the States, that's all you need to know," he says, his voice brusque.

No, it's not. I want to know more! He built a whole new life over there. He wouldn't just come back for no reason.

"How's your cushy job going?" I ask. Last time I checked he was Vice President of Greenhills, one of the biggest premiere lifestyle, concierge, and travel services in the world.

He freezes for a split second and resumes preparing the tomatoes.?"I'm on sabbatical," he says, non-committal.

"How come?"

"Slice the bread," he barks at me, and I almost jump up in surprise. I do as he says, and start slicing. Why is he being so touchy about it? Shouldn't he be happy he's on a break? This makes me want to snoop even more.

"How's your wedding planning going?" he asks. I huff loudly as I pour some oil into the cast iron fry pan. He means my wedding planning business, but all I can think about is my own wedding planning failure.

"Good.So any cool events you've been working on?"

Tristan's got an awesome job - from high society fundraisers to launch events and corporate functions, he knows his stuff about big events. I believe he has also helped with some high profile weddings too. It's amazing how his career has progressed. Starting out in hospitality, he decided to move into events planning and started working in the sales division of a boutique planning company, assisting a senior planner. He proved himself to be more than capable and then the opportunity of a lifetime landed in his lap; to join Greenhills and work for them in New York. He said yes and now he gets to mingle with the cream of the crop every day. He shrugs his shoulders as he starts chopping the tomatoes. "Nothing interesting."

"Come on, I saw your handled that corporate event in Cancun for"

"Turn the stove on, will you?" He says dryly.Fine, he doesn't want to talk about it. I'll pry the information out of him later. I turn the gas stove on, walking towards the pantry. He's just hungry, that must be the reason for his cranky mood.

"Do you have soy sauce?"

"Why?"

"Do you or not?"

"Yeah, it's in there," he nods in the direction of the pantry I'm headed toward. I open the door, peering into the barely stocked shelf until I spot the bottle at the bottom.

"You do the coffee and I cook the food," I order.

He raises an eyebrow. "Hey! I'm the cook out of the two of us."

"Trust me, you'll like what I make," I tease with a grin. He'll like what I make, my mom always made this for him whenever he was over. "Now, step away from that chopping board."

"You're cute when you're bossy," he smirks and I turn around so he avoids the sight of my face warming. He was just teasing, surely.

Eventually the fruits of our labour become a reality and the breakfast is plated up on two large blue plates. I bring the plates, cutlery and juice to the black, marble dining table near the large windows I get a little panicky at view of the Harbour Bridge and Port Jackson to my left so I grab a chair with its back to the window. Tristan follows shortly with the coffee.

We eat in silence, but it doesn't matter. I inhaled it to satiate my growling stomach. Tristan, on the other hand, eats slowly, leisurely, and rather elegantly. He surprises me at every turn. The guy who dresses like a lumberjack, eats with such finesse.

"So, how have you been, other than your wedding planning and all?

Besides getting jilted at the altar and getting dumped by my sorry-ass fiancé, I could be better. "Fine and dandy. This coffee better be strong," I mutter.

"Trust me, I do a strong coffee."

I take a sip and widen my eyes. My heart is palpating already. "Damn, you're right."

"Yeah, told you. Your eggs are good, your mom used to make them just like this."

"Yeah, told you too."

He shakes his head, grinning at my assertiveness.

"Thanks. For doing all of this," I say.

"Fancy that. It's not every day I cook breakfast with a woman without sleeping with her."

I stare down at my plate. If I didn't know better, I would think he is flirting with me? I just wish my body would get with the program and realise he's just teasing. That's what he does. Tristan and Hansley used to always go out to find girls to pick up, and I'll bet they will continue to do so now that he is back.

"Come on, tell me what happened. What was Miss Straight-laced doing to get that smashed. It can't be that bad, right?" His eyes flash with a wicked gleam. "I could just charge you for the room and breakfast service."

"It's not all that interesting," I mumble.

"Surprise me." He's the one surprising me, if anything. He actually wants to listen to my problems? I sit up, taking one more sip of my strong-ass coffee in preparation for this.

I tell him everything, the short version, at least. It actually feels therapeutic and despite any judgments I had about Tristan, he's a really good listener. Not just nodding along every now and then, but he really listens and makes me feel comfortable enough to open up more than I had anticipated. It's ironic that the whole reason why I'm here is because I wanted to confront Adam, and now he feels like a total stranger. To think I'm supposed to be getting married today, but instead I'm here, hanging out with Tristan and actually having a good time.

Tristan pours me a second glass of orange juice. The food absorbs the effects of my hangover, and the reality of my situation seeps in.

"Man, he is such a pussy. If I had been there, I would have beat the crap out of him. I assume Hansley did a good enough job?" he growls, his eyes full of quiet rage.

I shrug my shoulders. "It doesn't matter anymore. It's done. I just have to move on. I still believe my soul mate is out there. Obviously, it wasn't Adam."

Tristan frowns. "Do you believe in soul mates?"

"Of course, I do! I wouldn't be a very good wedding planner if I didn't believe in true love. Everyone is supposed to have that one person they're destined to be with, you cross paths with them for a reason. It's fate."

He seems displeased with my response. "I suppose it's endearing that you can still believe in love. I can respect your ideology."

He said it so callously, I have to press my lips together from debating this. Respect my ideology, what the hell does that mean?

"So, what are you going to do with yourself now?" he asks gently.

"Do what I do best, plan weddings. Other than my own," I giggle, my attempt at a terrible joke.

"Already? You should take some time out for yourself. Chill out," he says it like an order, not a suggestion. He reclines in the padded chair, his eyes lingering on my tired ones across the large wooden table.

"And what would I do? To chill out, as you suggest?"

"Go to a beach."

"I only burn and crisp in the sun. I've come to accept that I will always look like a vampire."

"Go to the snow, go skiing."

"I can't carry those skis, they're so heavy!" I rib, having fun with this.

A frustrated sigh leaves his mouth. "Go shopping then, isn't that what girls do?"

"And what, walk around buying useless crap I don't need?"

"I forgot how lame you were," he mutters under his breath.

"What did you say?" I narrow my eyes at him.

His lips twitch up in a half smile. "I said you're lame. Happy?" he says louder, deliberately.

I cross my arms "After all this time, how can you be still soannoying!!" I raise my voice slightly, rolling my eyes. Tristan sits there with an amused expression on his face but remains as cool as a cucumber.

"I bet you missed me, huh?" He's laughing at me again, that bastard. How is it possible that he can rile me with just a few words, when nothing ever fazes him? He's still that carefree clown who played really bad guitar with Hansley all those years ago.

I take my last sip of juice and scan the clock. 10am. Crap. I would be doing my hair and makeup right now, not sitting here having breakfast with the last person I ever thought I would have breakfast with. Not to mention I haven't checked my phone since last night. God knows how many missed calls and messages I may have.

"I should probably go. Thanks so much for letting me stay. I owe you one."

"What's the rush? I thought we were having a good time. Stay."

He tilts his head to one side, running his index finger across his lower lipoh my.He wants me to stay. Why does the idea make me giddy? "I haven't checked my phone, so many emails to read."

"Oh, the horror of it all!" he says mockingly. "Come on, you're hung over. I think the last thing you should be doing right now is thinking about that."

Not to mention it was supposed to be my wedding day, which I had temporarily blocked out of my mind. "I can't trouble you more than I have."

"Usually, I'm the one asking the woman to leave," he says, an amused smirk on his face.

I scoff loudly. "What a charmer you are."

In a hurry to leave, I stand up and pick up my plate and stroll over to the kitchen to place it in the sink. I better get back to Gabe's. He's probably wondering where I am, and where his car is.

Suddenly the chair squeaks loudly against the timber floor. I can hear him tread loudly towards me. "Believe it or not, I'm actually having a good time with you."

"Surely you have things to do"

"I have a business proposition for you," he says, completely serious. "You said you owed me, didn't you?"

My ears perk up.

Maybe I can stay here a bit longer after all.