Page 48 of Pretty Little Trigger
CHAPTER 47
Alana
We all look like we went ten rounds in the ring.
Me, Tessa, Kyra and Riley.
We’re sitting at brunch with sunglasses on, trying to hide from the world and hoping hair of the dog will help.
Our table looks like a still life of poor decisions.
Half-eaten croissants, too many empty mimosa glasses and a bottle of hot sauce no one remembers ordering.
Tessa’s phone goes off.
All four of us flinch at the sound.
She picks it up, squinting at the screen.
“Ah, that’s Ryan. He’s just confirmed he’ll be joining us for Winter Launch.”
“I can’t talk work today, Tess.” I groan, taking a sip of my mimosa.
It does not go down well.
“Who’s Ryan?” Kyra asks, already suspicious.
She wants to know if we love him or hate him.
If she should be polite, or get ready to fight.
My little pit bull.
“Chill out, Wildfire. He’s a friend. Or at least I think?” Tessa glances at me for confirmation.
“Ryan’s the owner of VYBE . Some bougie-ass department store in New York,” I say, leaning back in my chair.
“Met him at that conference for small business owners in Bali last year.”
The conference had been a blur of painfully peppy speakers and overpriced cocktails.
It was humid as hell and I was dodging networking circles like landmines.
Ryan had been going through a brutal divorce.
We ended up on the same rooftop, watching the ocean and passing a bottle of wine back and forth like old friends.
We talked about maybe stocking Rock & Metal in VYBE , but it felt like one of those let’s-grab-dinner conversations that no one actually intends to follow through on.
Except, he just hasn’t stopped.
“That sounds unreal, A. Does he want to stock Rock & Metal ?” Riley asks, her eyes bright.
She’s pure sunshine in human form.
“Yes, but I don’t know if it’s the right move for us though. I don’t want to sell out.” I swirl the last bit of orange pulp in my glass, still unsure.
“I don’t think it would be selling out,” Tessa counters gently.
“Brands are fighting to get listed. And here he is, fighting for you.” I level her with a look that says: don’t push me today.
She mouths an apology.
And then—“Ah, shit. A, don’t kill me, please…”
“Tessa, you’re really testing me today.” I sigh.
“Spit it out.”
“Tristin is here.”
“Okay, thanks for the heads up. But that ship has sailed. We’re not fucking anymore, we’re just…” Then I spot him.
“…friends.”
Oops. She meant here, at brunch.
Not here, in the city.
“Hi, T!” she calls out as he approaches.
“Hello, ladies,” he says, flashing that ever-gentlemanly smile.
“Happy birthday for yesterday, Alana.” He says it warm.
Casual. Like friends do.
“Sorry for interrupting, just wanted to come say bye to Tess before I jet out.” He leans down and presses a kiss to the top of Tessa’s head.
“Bye, Tess. See you soon.”
Then to the rest of us, with a polite nod: “Ladies.”
He gives me a small wave before stepping back.
And for a moment, I just watch him go.
He’s a good guy. Warm smile.
Soft eyes. The kind of man who stops by just to say goodbye to his older sister, even if it means bumping into the girl he used to hook up with.
He’s always been decent.
Never pushed. Never took more than I gave.
He deserved better than the half-hearted version of me I offered.
Deserved a full-hearted love.
The table goes quiet for a beat too long.
“I didn’t know he was in town,” I murmur, trying to keep my voice light.
Tessa winces. “Sorry, I didn’t want to make things awkward. He just texted when we sat down. Said he wanted to come say bye.”
“It’s fine. Honestly.” And it is.
Kind of. He’s a chapter I’ve closed.
I pick up my mimosa and toast the air.
“To surviving this hangover.”
We all try to cheers, but it looks like a scene from The Walking Dead.
Sunglasses askew, souls half-dead and dignity on life support.