Page 18

Tris, can you send me a copy of my schedule for tomorrow?
I sighed, and emailed him the information.
TRIS
It’s in your email.
PETER
Thanks! You’re the best.
I set the phone face-down on the coffee table just as Ana entered the room.
“Here we go,” Ana announced, returning with two generously filled wine glasses and plates for the decadent chocolate lava cake in the box on her coffee table.
I reached for the plates tucked beneath her arm and placed them on the table while she set down our glasses.
“Boy trouble?” Ana asked as she sliced the cake and gave us both a piece. “Or girl trouble?”
“How did you know?”
She giggled. “You’ve got that look about you. It’s hard to explain.”
I reluctantly smiled, taking a grateful sip of wine to bolster my courage. “Boy. It’s… complicated.”
Ana sat back on her couch with her plate in her lap and wine within reach. “I’ve got all night,” she said softly.
Maybe it was the wine, the comforting aroma of chocolate, or Ana’s nonjudgmental presence, but I found myself opening up. “I’ve been in love with my boss, Peter, for years,” I began, the words rushing out like a dam breaking. “We grew up together in a group home, along with our friend Killian.” It was public knowledge that both Peter and Killian were removed from their homes as children.
“Wait, Peter and Killian. Why do their names when you say them together sound so familiar?” Her eyes widened. “Not Peter Young and Killian Hook? The rockstars?”
I nodded, a rueful smile tugging at my lips. “The ones and onlys. I’ve been working up the courage to tell Peter how I feel about him for years.”
“Years?” Ana asked, then worried her bottom lip between her teeth. “This might be too personal, but have you been waiting on him for so long you’ve never dated anyone else?”
I giggled. The wine was definitely hitting me. “No. I’ve been on dates and had relationships, but they’ve never lasted. I always wondered if it’s because I compare them all to Peter.”
Ana listened intently, her expressions shifting from surprise to sympathy. It felt good to just kick back and relax.
“Growing up, Killian was always there for me,” I said, a sad smile tugging at my lips. “And even though we haven’t been in each other’s company in ages, I saw him for the first time tonight, and asked him to help teach me to be the kind of girl Peter would want to date.”
“Wow.” Ana tilted her head, curiosity in her eyes. “And what did he say?”
A flutter started in my stomach as I remembered our conversation. “He… He didn’t give me an answer. Yet. But I’m really hoping he’ll say yes.” I twisted my hands in my lap. “I mean, he knows Peter better than anyone. And if there’s one person that can help me win Peter’s heart, it’s Killian, but… ”
“But you have feelings for Killian?” Ana prompted gently, like a Jedi-master, hearing the unspoken words and sensing there was more to the story. She just didn’t get the right one.
I laughed harder this time. “No, there’s nothing between us.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. The way you said his name made me think maybe… ” She shrugged.
“Things were just weird between us. Different. A tension that didn’t exist before.”
“Is the tension because Killian doesn’t want to help you since he’s estranged from Peter?” Their estrangement was public knowledge too.
Ana’s statement was the clarity I needed. The weirdness between Killian and I had to be because of Killian’s hatred towards Peter and his disappointment in me for choosing to side with him so long ago.
“Maybe, but it’s more than that.” This wine was like a truth serum. I should get the name of it before I left. “This morning, after his interview on the morning show, Peter kissed me, said things were going to change, and he wanted to celebrate. He had a surprise for me. Then, tonight at dinner, he gave me a gift. A bird brooch.” I shivered at the reminder of it. “I hate birds.”