Tanner couldn’t help but laugh. “You know that term people throw around online, ‘lovesick’? That’s totally you right now.”
Tristan had heard it before. It wasn’t exactly a compliment, but he just shrugged and grinned. “I’d say she’s worth it.”
Tanner found himself at a loss for words. He’d watched Tristan stay single for over twenty years, turning down one girl after another, and honestly thought he was the type who’d never be fazed by love. But ever since Emily came into the picture, everything had changed.
Whenever they hung out, Tristan kept glancing at his phone. Tanner could read him like a book. If Tristan’s face was blank, he was probably texting someone random. But if he was smiling at his screen, it had to be Emily.
He was so sweet on her, it was almost hard to watch.
But Tristan was clearly loving every second of it. As a friend, all Tanner could do was give his blessing. “Alright then, lovesick fool. I hope you two make it through every challenge, defeat every rival, and end up happily ever after.”
He thought Tristan would laugh. Instead, Tristan’s face turned serious. “There are no rivals between us. Andrew’s just being impossible.”
Tanner threw up his hands. “Alright, alright, I get it. You don’t have to say it again. Andrew Lane is shameless. Got it.”
That seemed to satisfy Tristan. He went back to the mirror and started dabbing makeup over his bruise.
Tanner leaned in the doorway, remembering how the shop assistant had worked on Tristan’s face earlier. “You know,” he said, “I don’t think you’re doing it right.”
Tristan’s bruise was still obvious, maybe even more than before, but he didn’t seem to care. He just put away the makeup. “It’s fine. Just needs to look like I tried, so my grandpa won’t worry.”
They left the bathroom together. Tanner flopped onto the couch, propping his arms behind his head and watching TV for a bit. When he glanced over, Tristan was staring at his phone again, smiling in that soft, almost goofy way.
Tanner didn’t even need to ask. He knew Tristan was texting Emily. It was lunchtime, so it made sense that Emily would have time to message him.

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