I laugh. “I already know he is.”
“Tristan?” I look up when my dad calls me. “Come in here.”
Trinity and I enter the kitchen to see all the desserts out on the island and the cake she made in the middle with candles glowing.
I smile, glancing between my dad and Bishop standing next to him. “This is awesome. Thank you, Trinity.” I kiss her cheek as she rubs my back. “Let’s cut.”
“No,” dad says. “First blow out your candles and make a wish. You’re never too old for wishes.”
I nod, glancing at the cake and then making my wish. I wish, somehow, Bishop can be mine. Out in the open. Forever. I blowthe candles as everyone claps for me. Dad starts cutting the cake as Trinity giggles.
“Real quick, just so everyone knows. Those are special brownies.”
“Special brownies?” Bishop asks with a furrowed brow.
“Special,” she says. “Laced,” she whispers.
“Ah.” He nods. “Been a long time since I’ve had brownies like that.”
“It’s a special recipe,” she continues. “I perfected it. It won’t make you crazy. Just takes the edge off a little.” She grins. “You know, if you’re stressed or anything.”
A smile pulls at his lips, bringing a smile to my face. I want him to like Trinity. We both watch as Bishop cuts into the brownies and takes a bite of one. He chews, keeping his eyes on hers, before grinning.
“Really good actually. Can’t taste anything but chocolate.”
Trinity smiles. “Thanks. I like to bake.”
Bishop turns to my dad and feeds him a bite, annoying me more than a little. I know they’re friends, but come on, he should do that to me. As if reading my mind, he steps closer to me. “Open your mouth, Tristan.”
It’s such a quiet request, I’m almost not sure I heard it, but I step closer to him, opening my mouth like I’m taking communion. He puts a bite of brownie, the same piece he ate from, on my tongue, searching my eyes the entire time. I chew slowly, watching his mouth, but snapping out of it when I catch my dad’s eyes. Dammit.
I turn to Trinity. “Really good, sweetie.”
“Thanks. Let’s have some cake though. I’m really proud of it.”
“What kind is it?” Bishop asks.
“Tristan’s favorite. Marble with Bavarian cream filling and a whipped marshmallow frosting.”
“Mmm, that sounds amazing.”
Trinity grins. “Thank you.”
Bishop helps my dad pass slices of it around to everyone. I take a bite, chewing as a full smile spreads across my face. “Oh my god, Trinity. This is fucking delicious.”
She nods, chewing her bite. “It came out so well.”
“It’s perfect,” Bishop says. “Maybe you can make my birthday cake too.”
“I’d love to.”
We eat quietly for a few minutes, washing it down with this gorgeous red wine Bishop brought. Trinity leans on the island in front of Bishop.
“Where do you live, Bishop?”
“Downtown near the arena.”
“Oh.” She nods. “Like in a condo?”
