The Best Man ✔

Chapter XI

Olivia's POV

Smile.

I lied to my parents about having to make a work call and told them to go inside without me, and I'll follow after a few minutes. I honestly needed those minutes to myself to gather my strength and courage before I went to tolerate what was yet to be the longest afternoon of my entire existence.

I took steady breaths before practicing my smile on the rearview mirror. I've been doing this for years, today was not going to be different. I'm just needed to smile and laugh until my cheeks hurt.

You can do this Liv

You can act like you're happy even though you're breaking inside

No one can see through your sadness

All you have to do is grin like your life depends on it-

A knock on the passenger seat window bought me back to reality, his blue eyes questioning towards mine. I probably must have zoned out again.

He yanked the door open and slid inside to seat next to me. My lips involuntarily turned into a smile. That was just the thing with Tristan, I didn't have to force anything or convince myself to try too hard, it was just simple that with him.

"Hey Pumpkin", he grinned, and I rolled my eyes, throwing my head back on the headrest

"You're very funny", I faked laughed, earning a soft chuckle from him

"What's going on?"

"I just needed to make a call", I put my phone away, and he scoffed, blinking slowly at me

"That lie may have worked on your parents, but I know you better than that, Liv", he shifted in his seat to face me

"What's going on?"

"I just needed a minute to myself", I shrugged, and he rose a brow at me, interrogating me with his eyes before humming in response

"This has nothing to do with that one-night stand you had the other day?", he questioned with his eyes narrowed and I groaned

"Of course you would bring that up at a time like this", I sighed heavily. "I don't know why I told you"

He laughed. "You have this thing of wanting to hide things but eventually end up telling me because you're not so good at keeping things from me"

At least that makes one of us

"Well at least I now have a wild night experience"

"You used protection, right?"

"Of course we did, Tristan"

"I'm just making sure", he put his hands up before he fixed his eyes on me, like he was waiting for me to say something

"There's something you're just dying to ask me, isn't there?"

"Eh", he shrugged carelessly. "Not that I'm being noisy or anything", his face turned serious suddenly. "But who's the guy? Do I know him?"

"Tsk tsk tsk", I shook my head and he laughed

"I don't think you know him-"

A knock on the window interrupted, and we turned to see Catherine, Tristan's mother looking at us with her eyebrow raised

"You two can catch up while you're helping to set the table", she motioned with her hand for us to get out of the car. Tristan and I groaned in union before we got out. Catherine opened her arms wide for me for a hug.