Page 10 of Wicked Rockstar

It wasn’t just my heart that ached at his rejection. My whole body hurt.

Peter continued to monopolize the conversation, and I nodded in response, but my mind was elsewhere. He used his charm as a shield, his way of navigating the world—good and bad. I used to admire it, but now I wondered—when was the last time I’d seen the real Peter, vulnerable and unguarded?

“Trissa. Hey Tris.”

I shook my head and focused on Peter. “I’m so sorry. What were you saying?”

“Killian shouldn’t have bothered you.” He cupped my hands within his and tugged them closer to him.

“He didn’t. It was a surprise to talk to him after all this time.”

“So you two never… ”

My head reared back in surprise. “No, he never reached out to me after you signed with Umbria.”

He shrugged, a faint pout on his full lips. “I’ll never understand him. He acts like I didn’t try to help him.”

I sighed. “Peter, I think you and Killian both view what happened differently.”

Peter had a mental block when he looked back on our friendship. He’d shared with me how Killian had been upset when Peter was sought out by Umbria Recording and offered a lucrative contract. Umbria had eventually offered a contract to Killian, but he refused it.

I wasn’t sure if it had to do with a bruised ego with Peter being offered a deal first, if Peter was willing to go off on his own without Killian, or if it was the details of the deal itself. And while I understood how that would upset him, it couldn’t possibly be Peter’s fault. Peter had worked just as hard as Killian had. And I was of the firm belief we should all be happy for each of our successes. That’s what friends did.

“It’s not my fault I got scouted and he didn’t.” Peter scowled.

“I get it. As your friend, he should’ve been happy for you, but can we not get into this right now?” All my hopes about our romantic dinner were quickly going down the toilet.

“You’re right. Tonight is about you, my sweet Trissa.” He lifted my hand and kissed the top of my knuckles.

A warmth stole through my chest. “Oh, is it?” I said, hoping my breathlessness sounded sexy.

“Yes, and I?—”

“Can I get either of you something to drink, Mr. Young?”

Oh my God. Seriously?We were just getting to the good part, and she had to interrupt us now?

Peter laid our entwined hands on the table and smiled at the waitress. “Absolutely. We’re here tonight to celebrate. What would you recommend?”

Clearly, our server had been briefed before she arrived at our table. She rattled off what I was sure were their most expensive labels.

“We’ll have the 2001 Château Pétrus. You prefer red, right Tris?” His thumb rubbed the sensitive skin on the back of my hand, the spot that had me swooning, before he let go.

Peter’s attention was usually like the sun parting through the clouds on a gloomy afternoon. It had the power to fill me with warmth from the inside out.

Yet today, it was a gentle buzz against my skin instead of the rolling force it usually was. My gaze flicked to the man at the bar, and an uneasy feeling churned in my stomach.

What’s wrong with me?I’d been waiting for this moment forforever, and now that I might have it, my body was betraying me.

I quickly dashed away the unbidden thought of my strange physical reaction to Killian.

Peter cleared his throat, and I realized I hadn’t responded. I wasn’t a big fan of red wine. It often gave me a headache, but instead of correcting him, I smiled. Tonight needed to be perfect. “Of course.”

Once we were alone, the conversation flowed. Over the years, I’d never run out of things to talk to Peter about. Although, I had noticed we gravitated toward talking about Peter and what he was up to versus what was going on in my life. To be fair, I didn’t have much going on. Handling Peter had become more than a full-time job. And with us returning to Rhode Island, I had nonearby friends to hang out with. When I lived here growing up, Killian and Peter were my best friends.

The waitress brought the wine, and Peter tasted it. He took a small sip, letting it sit in his mouth for a minute before swallowing and nodding. I giggled as she poured us both a glass. Maybe it was seeing Killian, but watching Peter taste expensive wine made me think about our shared past.

“What brought that on?” Peter asked once the waitress took our order and left.