29. Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter twenty-nine
Kennedy
“Well, if it isn’t my long-lost office bestie. I’m surprised you remember my number.”
“It’s a good thing you’re saved in my contacts.”
Zoe laughs lightly. “But seriously, how are things going? I’m surprised I haven’t received any death notifications.”
“It’s going…surprisingly well.”
“I bet it is.” Innuendo drips from her lips, and I bite my own to keep a smile from breaking free. Thankfully, we’re on a call and not a FaceTime or my expression would have totally given away all my secrets.
“It’s New Year’s Eve, and I’m on the beach in my bikini, sipping a cocktail. It doesn’t get much better than that.”
“You could be getting railed by your hot boss on the beach.”
“Zoe!” I gasp, scolding my friend, who better not be in the office repeating that for all our co-workers to hear. As much as I love this newfound relationship with Tristan, I’m not sure if I’m ready for the office to know about it.
“Relax, I’m down the block getting coffee. The days are a bore without you. ”
Rolling my eyes, I shield my face as I stare out at the ocean. There’s a large vessel moving way out near the horizon. “Have you seen any updated pictures of the resort?”
“Oh my gosh, yes! You’ve been the talk of the office. Everyone is so impressed by how the resort is turning out.” She pauses, and my chest warms at the compliment. “Not to mention, that soft launch on Tristan’s social media.”
My stomach drops. I don’t follow Tristan on social media because, not too long ago, the sight of his smug face would make me irrationally angry. “Wh-what do you mean?”
“Girl, you seriously need to follow him back.”
“Hold on. I’m going to right now.” Placing the call on speaker, I pull open my Instagram app and search for his name. “What’s new with you?”
Zoe updates me on things in the office, how she and her husband are trying for a baby, and the stress with that. I nod—not that she can see it—and respond when appropriate, but my mind completely freezes when I stumble upon Tristan’s Instagram account.
The nine-photo grid is filled with pictures from our time in St. Lucia. A photo of the sunset across the horizon from the resort’s beach. A selfie of him relaxed on a lounge chair, shirtless and wearing sunglasses.
But it’s the three pictures sprinkled throughout his feed that cause my heart to bounce to my throat. There’s one of the beach, but in the background is me wearing a bikini, toes in the sand as the water meets the shore, and my head is thrown back toward the sky. Another is us in the hot tub, clinking bottles of beer after a long day of chaos. But it’s the last one that has a small gasp leaving my lips .
“You found it.” The words aren’t a question as Zoe’s voice softens; they’re a statement.
“I can’t believe he posted that.” The photo is of the two of us in bed together. My head is laying in the crook between his arm and shoulder, eyes closed, while my hand rests on his bare chest.
“Did you read the caption?”
“No,” I say on a shaky exhale as I tap the image. Tears well in my eyes as I read the caption under the intimate photo.
The greatest gift I could ask for. Merry Christmas, everyone.
If I thought my heart swelled the moment I saw the post, it’s nothing in comparison to reading those words. I’m the greatest gift he could ask for. Me? My lungs seize as a tear slips free and trails down my cheek. The hand gripping my phone trembles as my pulse speeds up.
Warmth spreads through my body, and there’s no doubt in my mind that I love Tristan. I know I told him on Christmas Day, but seeing this, there’s no hesitation in my mind that we are destined for one another. The thought of building a future together feels like seeing the perfect blueprint come to life—strong, deliberate, and meant to last forever.
He isn’t just a part of my life now.
He’s my future.
“I’m glad you two finally put aside your past and accepted what we’ve all been seeing since you started working at Nelson Signature.” Zoe’s voice cuts through my thoughts.
At the mention of work again, my swooning heartbeat from the post transforms into dread that causes my stomach to drop. What if people at work have seen this? Who am I kidding? Half of New York has probably seen the post. Tristan Nelson, the Golden Boy of New York, has been on everyone’s radar. Girls all over the city—hell, the world—want to take him off the market, and here he is, posting that he’s taken.
“Oh my god,” I gasp, hand flying to my mouth as I use my thumb to scroll through the comments.
“Don’t read the comments!” Zoe practically shouts.
“Do you have a video feed of this beach?”
She chuckles. “No, but I know you’re spiraling. For what it’s worth, everyone at the office is happy. I mean that. Hell, Victoria is over the moon, and even Xander has commented about how much he likes seeing his brother like this.”
“If you so say,” I grumble, unable to stop reading the comments. There’re a mixture of congratulations and well wishes. But there are also frustrations from his followers that he’s no longer a bachelor.
When I decided to pursue things with Tristan, never once did I think about the ramifications. The limelight that follows him around and the events we’ll have to attend. Nelson Signature isn’t just a small architectural firm, it’s nearly the top real estate development in the world. His dad is a mogul in the industry.
“Can I do this?” Insecurity pours from my question, and I find myself sitting up, bending my legs, and tucking my knees under my chin as I stare out at the blue water.
“Of course you can. You’re Kennedy fucking Reed, a baddie who deserves to be the top architect in modern times and who deserves to be loved.” I hear the smile in her voice, which causes the corners of my mouth to tip up.
“Thanks, Zoe. ”
“Anytime, babe. Now go soak up the bliss of being newly in love.”
“See you soon.”
We end the call, and I flop back down in my chair. Chewing on my lip, I stare at Tristan’s social media feed. My thumb hovers over the ‘follow’ button, and I hesitate for a moment before clicking it. I watch as the blue button turns white.
Instantly, as if he was waiting for it to happen, a text message pops up.
Tristan: Took you long enough. How hard was it to hit follow?
Me: I just wanted to make sure you were worth it…still on the fence.
Tristan: Still on the fence? You weren’t on the fence last night. Need I remind you where you were sitting?
My cheeks flame at the reminder of last night. The two of us were lying side-by-side on one of the outdoor daybeds, enjoying a beer, and watching the stars since the sun sets so early. Next thing I knew, I was no longer on my back. My legs were straddling his face as he enjoyed his second dessert.
Tristan: I bet those cute cheeks of yours are warm and in the prettiest shade of pink.
Me: Shut up.
Tristan: I love you, Firecracker. See you in our room whenever you’re done bronzing like a goddess.
Me: OMG, what is with you today?
Tristan: It’s New Year’s Eve and I’m excited to ring in the new year with you.