Free Chasing Love's Wings by Zoey Derrick Page B

soon as Travis unfolds himself from the car.  
    “Here we go, ready?” Tristan asks me.  
    “No.” But he rolls his eyes. I say the same thing every time. I laugh.  
    He climbs out and I am immediately blinded by the mountain of flashes that begin firing
     off, and I am still in the limo. Tristan stands and presents his hand inside the limo,
     waiting for me to take it and climb out.
    I do, and once again the cameras are going nuts. I know what is coming next. As soon
     as I am standing, Tristan pulls me close, and with his other hand he lifts my chin
     and kisses me in front of all of them. I ruin our kiss by laughing. I can’t help it;
     he is so determined to keep the story straight and I love him a little bit more for
     that.  
    The questions start flying as we walk toward the entrance, but Tristan doesn’t comment.
    Once inside, it takes a minute for my eyes to adjust to the dimmer light inside. “Does
     that ever get easier?” I mumble.  
    “No,” Travis, Tyson and Tristan all say at once, and all of us girls bust out laughing.  
    “Good evening, Mr. Michaels.” The female voice is a little too sweet, and I look at
     her and watch her as she eye fucks my boyfriend. I lean a little closer into him and
     watch as her face scowls. “Your table is ready,” she says, turning on her heels and
     heading into the restaurant.  
    “What was that all about?” Tristan whispers as we follow our group to the table, and
     I am instantly relieved that he didn’t notice.  
    “She was eye fucking you, so I thought I would show her who you belong to.”  
    He busts out laughing, then kisses my forehead. “I didn’t even notice. Not that I
     would care. But I like this green-eyed version of you.”  
    “Tristan Michaels, I am not jealous,” I say a little too sharply.  
    He laughs again.  
    Okay, maybe a little, but I’m pretty sure he is coming home with me tonight.  

    We all take our seats, and within a matter of moments, two bottles of Cristal appear
     and our glasses are being filled. I squeeze Tristan’s leg. Tonight is on him, and
     he is already eight hundred dollars down on two bottles. Once all of our glasses are
     filled, the bottles are placed in the center of the tables.
    Tristan raises his glass. “A toast,” he says, and everyone, including myself, raises
     their glasses. “To old friends.” I watch as he looks from Tyson to Travis, who are
     sitting opposite each other. “And to new.” He looks to everyone else. “May this be
     the start of lifelong friendships.”  
    “Hear, hear,” everyone says in unison, raising their glasses a little higher.  
    Tristan clinks his glass against mine and leans in to whisper, “And to the woman who’s
     captured my heart.”  
    “I’ll drink to that.”  

    About halfway through dinner someone approaches our table, and it takes me a minute
     to recognize who it is, but Beau doesn’t hesitate. She knows him all to easily, and
     I feel a small hint of embarrassment at her eagerness.  
    “I hope you’re all enjoying your dinner.”  
    “Absolutely,” I say.  
    “It’s wonderful,” Tristan adds as he stands up to take the gentleman’s hand.  
    “Tristan, it is a pleasure to meet you.”  
    “Likewise. Thank you for accommodating our short notice reservations.”  
    “Anytime.” The man takes out his card and gives it to Tristan. “If you need anything,
     just call. I’ll be happy to make it happen.”
    “Thank you, sir.”  
    “Oh, no, don’t call me sir. Call me Mr. Aklund or Damon.”  
    “Certainly, Damon. Thank you again.”
    “Absolutely, enjoy.” He nods and leaves the table. Tristan returns to his seat.  
    “Was that who I think it was?” Naomi gets a little excited. Tristan and I both nod.
     “He’s hard to recognize without his stage makeup. I had no idea he owned this place.”  
    “I did, but never expected to actually see him here,” I said, and though I recognized
     him, the name threw me