A/N: As usual, I would recommend putting the video on loop.

Even though they had walked, getting to Cup of Pastry didn't take too long. There weren't even that many people within the establishment, so ordering didn't use a lot of time either. How was she supposed to stall until the meet-up at The Iron Clipper if everything went by quickly? Not to mention that Tristan was expecting a kiss from her soon, and she didn't want to kiss him in the hotel. Not that she'd let things go to another level, but she might have to expose the plan to get away from him if things got out of hand.

Internally, she was groaning. Outwardly, she was tearing off pieces of the cinnamon roll in front of her and popping them into her mouth. Tristan hadn't stolen a piece yet, much to her relief, and they were talking about how their days had gone since the pool. Work for both of them had been about the normal, but Tristan did bring up the wedding anniversary. She had a feeling that he was implying something by the question that she'd rather not even entertain the idea of.

Reluctantly, she went over the details, but she mainly focused on how it kept everyone busy. She did admit that it was fun setting up the decorations, and he looked far too interested in that point. Hopefully, it just was because of his interior designing background. When her cinnamon roll was finished, she sipped some more on her blackberry tea and switched the conversation to what plans he was creating next and to give her a basic idea of them.

She hoped that he'd talk for awhile, but her plan backfired. Instead, he brought up how he could show her at the hotel since his latest ideas were on paper there. At that point, (f/n) really wished that there was some magical portal under the table that'd take her back to Lee. Unfortunately, there wasn't, and he already was grabbing her left hand to guide her back there. Barely, her feet followed, and when he peered back to question her on the matter, she gave a sheepish smile. "Maybe, the cinnamon roll is making me a bit sluggish." Laughing lightly, he nodded in understanding and slowed down his pace. "Thanks," she answered and stepped out of the shop with him soon after.

"You're welcome. That cinnamon roll was bigger than the last one I think after all." He chuckled a bit. "And, I didn't steal any this time."

"I know; I'm surprised. I thought that you would." Her eyes glanced up to him briefly, and he smirked back.

"I decided to give you a break."

"How kind." She rolled her eyes playfully, but she was more focused on how they were getting closer to the hotel. They walked across the street, and the building only grew closer. A couple of turns, and they'd be there. Thankfully, they got stopped at a light, and she wished that the light would be like that for at least an hour, but it, maybe, only lasted a minute.

Much to her displeasure, the hotel, Duskriver Suites, came into view. It was three stories and had peach paint over it with cream paint along the various windows. The wooden double doors were polished and had brass handles. (F/n) wondered which room was his, and she hoped the first floor so that she could leave through the window.

Stepping into the parking lot, Tristan headed for the entrance. She glanced around and didn't see anyone. Her heart was racing but not in a good way. It was now or later, and later was worse since she didn't know what would happen beyond those doors. Completely, she dreaded what she was about to do. (F/n) finished her drink and tossed it in a nearby trashcan before she tugged on his hand. Tristan stopped and looked to her. Before he could process what was happening, she leaned up and kissed him. Goodness, she hated every second of it, and she wished that she had moved away fast enough, but he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer.

It lasted too long, and she desperately wanted to rinse out her mouth with mouthwash. Pulling away not too long after, she shyly looked away from him, but she could see the pleased smile on his lips out of the corners of her eyes. She felt so sick, and she didn't say a word as he brought her into the hotel. (F/n) didn't even glance to her surroundings, except for when she saw the sign for the restrooms. "I'll be back in a moment. Do you mind waiting?" Her head tilted towards the bathrooms, and he nodded in understanding.

After he walked her to them, he headed to one of the green armchairs across from the restrooms. A small circular table with a lamp on it was between the chairs. She didn't pay too much attention to them, and she headed into the bathroom. Once the door closed behind her, she checked if anyone else was in the bathroom. No one was.

Swiftly, she grabbed a paper towel and wetted it. She wiped it against her lips; she even used soap before she rinsed them off. Not to mention she spit in the sink too and washed it down the drain. The next paper towel, she used to dry her lips off. Her elbows rested on the counter, and she placed her head in her hands. Today was going horribly; she hadn't stalled long enough. If she stayed too long in the bathroom, Tristan might wonder what was going on. "I hate this so much," she muttered to herself.

Several minutes passed, and she finally pushed herself off of the counter. (F/n) headed for the door and was about to open it, but she paused when she heard voices. Carefully, she peeked out of the door. Her eyes widened. Wasn't Kaleb supposed to be working? He had his cell phone in his hand and was pushing back some of his black wavy locks. Kaleb seemed frustrated. Both Tristan and he weren't by the chairs anymore. Rather, they were down the hallway more. Neither noticed her.

Quietly, she closed the bathroom door and took out her new phone. She made sure that the volume was on silent when it loaded up, and she went to recording. (F/n) didn't know if she'd catch anything worthwhile, but it was worth a try. Softly, she opened the door and was thankful that the clerk at the lobby couldn't see down the hallway where the bathrooms were. With the door open, she could hear them at an okay amount, and her phone would be able to pick it up. Keeping as quiet as she could, she listened in.

"You got another call from her?" Tristan asked, leaning against the nearby wall. "You look worried. I thought that you were more invested in Anita. Something change?"

"No, nothing's changed." Kaleb sighed. "I'm still staying with Anita. Her business is more of a priority, and I have fun with her." (F/n) was glad that he didn't go into more details on that based on the tone he used. "But, I still like having Harper around. She's a great kisser, and I like having someone around who isn't associated with work."

Okay, maybe, the hotel wasn't so bad. Things were turning in her favor. This was the conversation she needed. Despite having that on recording, she kept listening in. Anything more would add only greater fuel to the fire and convince Anita more to break up with Kaleb.

"So, how'd the call go, then? Is she getting tired of waiting to see you again?"

"Sort of. She just wants me back, but she's going to wait as promised. But ..." Kaleb sighed again. "I don't know if I'm entirely convinced."

"Did the call not end well?"

Chuckling, Kaleb shook his head. "No, it did." He smirked. "Got a little rough on the phone." A chuckle left Tristan too. "So, she's fine for now. But, I may have to pay her a visit sooner than expected if she calls again and asks about me coming back. It'd only be for a couple days, and I'll tell Anita that it's a business trip." Kaleb laughed and smirked. "She'll believe that. I have her wrapped around my finger quite nicely." Almost, she felt bad for Anita, but Anita was sending her to Tristan, who was just as bad.

"How are things going with (f/n), though?" Kaleb crossed his arms and leaned against the wall too. "You brought her here today, right?" Quickly and quietly, she closed the door and hoped that neither of them noticed her peeking out.

Barely, she heard, "Yeah, she's in the bathroom." Tristan chuckled. "Finally kissed me back. Took long enough." She heard what sounded like maybe a high-five. "And now, she has a phone. If she opens up a bit more, maybe, we can try something over the phone too." Bile rose up in her mouth, but she forced it back down, and she stopped the recoding. (F/n) couldn't listen anymore.

Going back to the sinks, she took a breather and a moment just to clear her head. None of that awful imagery needed to enter her mind. Once she felt she was ready, she put her phone away and steeled herself. (F/n) left the bathroom and looked surprised to see Kaleb in the hallway. When both noticed her, they smiled, and Tristan waved her over. She somehow managed a smile and went closer. All she wanted to do was run and stay in her room for a bit.

"Great timing, (f/n)." Tristan held her left hand, and she wished she could snatch it away. "Kaleb finished work early. He's going to call Anita, but we'll be heading to The Iron Clipper here soon rather than later. Sound good?" Actually, that was better news, but it didn't erase what they had said earlier.