Frankie was there. She had Tristan, and her girlfriend, Estella, in tow, as threatened. I recalled Tristan's description of Estella as a little Latin fireball, and I knew within moments of meeting Estella that it was apt. She had thick, wavy black hair that fell nearly to her waist, an hourglass body that wouldn't quit, and a sassy attitude that was fun, flirtatious, and over the top. She and Frankie had visible chemistry, sharing telling looks and comments that could have made even James blush.
Tristan, Frankie, and Estella hit it off with Stephan and Javier, and the five of them spent a lot of the evening talking and laughing, making the entire event more fun.
We observed one of those volatile moments when Danika and Tristan shared the same air, just in passing, and it was as intense as the first time we'd seen it. James and I shared a look when Danika took her stiff, polite leave of him. As much as Danika may have wanted it to be different, there were still strong feelings between those two. But baggage could be a powerful thing, and feelings weren't always enough.
I had invited my half-brother, Sven and his girlfriend, Adele, and I was flattered and pleased that they were able to make it.
Adele looked like a model, with the right height and build, but not the over the top beautiful kind. She was no Lana. She had the sort of nondescript good looks that probably got her a lot of work, since it made her more versatile. Her hair was light brown, hanging straight to her shoulders, her eyes a nice, soft brown.
She had a sweet smile, and she was very present, like she was happy to be just where she was. I liked her. When Sven had said he was dating a model, I had pictured the vacant-eyed, narcissistic type, and Adele far exceeded my expectations, unfair as they may have been.
Blake and company weren't shadowing my every step, since the guest list was very exclusive, and they were guarding the entrances and exits doggedly. I thought it was nice to be able to go to the bathroom without having a shadow, although James did close to the same thing, walking me down the hallway to the gallery's restroom, and waiting for me diligently in the nearest showing room.
I was finishing when the bathroom door opened and closed, then opened again.
"Now you're following me?" an agitated female voice asked.
I recognized it instantly as Danika.
"If that's the only way you'll talk to me, then yes," a man answered.
I recognized that deep, gravelly voice, as well. It was Tristan.
"We have nothing to talk abo-" Danika began.
"I still think about you every single day," Tristan interrupted harshly. "Let's talk about that."
I held perfectly still, now officially eavesdropping from inside of a bathroom stall.
"Oh, please. Take your guilt and get the fuck away from me, Tristan. I want nothing to do with it."
"The guilt isn't what I was talking about," he said, his voice low and raw. "It's you I think about. Always you."
She snorted inelegantly. It was very un-Danika-like. "Please! You stopped trying to call me years ago. I haven't heard a word from you since right after rehab, when you went on your repentance tour."
"I didn't trust myself, Danika. I needed my sobriety. I'm nothing without it, and you were a lovely trigger for me. That look in your eyes, after all that I'd done … The way you looked at me like I was scum, and knowing that I deserved all of your antipathy. I knew that if you looked at me like that again, I'd hit rock bottom, and this time I wouldn't come back from it."
"I'm with someone, Tristan," she said brusquely.
"And if you weren't? Would you be willing to talk to me-to spend time with me, if you weren't with someone?"
"No! Bad things happen when we get together, Tristan. You and I are nothing but trouble. Time hasn't changed that. Please, just stay away from me."
I heard movement and then Tristan's agonized whisper, "Danika, I'm so sorry. I'll never stop missing you. You were my best friend. Can you ever forgive me for what I did?"
Danika's answer was quick, sure and final. "I forgave you a long time ago, Tristan, but I will never forget. Please keep your distance."
The door opened and closed. Twice. I waited a few more minutes before coming out, feeling guilty for being so nosy. I should have said something the second I heard them talking, but instead, to spare us all an awkward moment, and yes, because I was curious, I'd overheard that painful and personal exchange.
I compounded my sins by immediately telling James what I'd heard. I wanted to hear his take on it.
His brow furrowed and he shook his head. "I really don't know what happened between them. Frankie is close friends with both of them, but even she won't talk about it. I assume they used to date, because Tristan is so obviously in love with her, but even that is speculation on my part. And I know that he had something to do with the injury that gave her that limp, but that's all. I don't know what caused that injury, or what his part was in it. He just mentioned to me once that Danika used to be an amazing dancer, and that he'd ruined it for her."