Platinum (All That Glitters #3)(78)

“Come on. You can sit by me.” He put his arm around her shoulders, and they walked into the dining room.

Trihn took the seat next to her father while her mother fluttered back and forth between the kitchen and dining room, depositing dishes. With the number of plates out, it was practically Thanksgiving.

Lydia carried in one last dish and placed it at the center of the table. She took an empty seat, and Preston walked in a second later, sitting down directly across from Trihn.

Trihn sighed and looked toward her father. “Any interesting shoots lately?”

“Besides yours?” he asked with a smile.

“Oh!” Lydia said, jumping in, uninvited. “Tell me all about your fashion show. Can I come to the one in New York? I’ll be a free photographer or whatever you need.”

“I don’t know, Ly. Details are kind of up in the air on whether I’m going to have anyone with me, aside from the models. The show is even providing an assistant.”

“That’s great, honey,” her mom said, entering the room and taking a seat. “Though I know Lydia would love to work with you in her spare time while you’re here.”

“I really would.”

Trihn nodded. “Yeah, but like I said, we’ll have to see.”

Everyone dug into the food, saving Trihn from having to say much more about it.

“So, are you really dating that guy who sings that new song with Chloe Avana?” Lydia asked.

Trihn squared her shoulders. “Yeah. Damon.”

“Damon Stone. Is that his real name?” Lydia asked. “Don’t they all have fake names?”

“Yeah, a lot of them do, but no, that’s his real name. We went to a show for this guy named DJ Poet, but his real name is James Poe, and the studio thought that was boring.”

“I’ve heard his stuff before,” Preston said. “Poet, that is.”

“But…I’m confused. What happened with Neal? He was so sweet,” Lydia said.

Trihn clenched her jaw. “It just didn’t work out. Damon is a much better choice.”

“Do you get to see him much? Mom said he’s touring.”

“He just went out on the road. He’s normally in Vegas. He was a DJ at a nightclub I frequent. That’s how we met.”

“Interesting. It must be hard to be away.”

Trihn nodded. “Yeah, but we talk a lot. So, it’s not the end of the world.”

“That’s good,” Lydia said.

The conversation switched to other topics, and Trihn actually found herself relaxing. She’d been home a couple of times since the Preston fiasco, but usually, she had been so uncomfortable that she would have to leave the room to get away from the tension. Preston put her on edge, and she knew he liked to do it on purpose. It must have been Damon who changed all of that.

“Trihn?” Lydia said.

Trihn jerked her head up out of the pasta she had been eating. Her mother’s food really was delicious. She hadn’t realized that she had completely zoned out of the conversation.

“What?”

“We were just talking about going upstairs after this. I’d like to try on my wedding gown, so you could see it.”

Trihn swallowed hard. “I didn’t know you had already purchased one.”

“Well, you don’t return my calls,” Lydia said softly.

“I, um…probably have to go right after this.”

“Trihnity,” Linh said. “You can stay for a bit to see her dress.”

Trihn bit back a snide retort and looked at her meal. She didn’t think she could stomach seeing Lydia in that dress. But maybe with the way things had been going, it wouldn’t be that bad. Trihn could just disconnect the who and the why and only see the amazing craftsmanship because she was sure that their mother had had it custom-made.

“Sure,” Trihn finally said. She looked back up.

Lydia lit up like a light bulb. It was like she had just come downstairs on Christmas morning. “Great. I’m excited.”

Preston reached over and took Lydia’s hand in his. “When do I get to see it?”

Trihn swallowed back the rising bile in her throat.

Lydia giggled. “Not until the wedding day, of course.”

“That seems fair.” He slowly drew her hand to his lips, and just as he placed a light kiss on the top, he turned and looked at Trihn.

She nearly choked and shoved her chair back. “Excuse me. I just have to…take my plate in.”

“Don’t be silly, Trihn. I’ll clear the table,” Linh said.

“No, it’s fine. I want to do it.” She scooped up her plate and left the table. So much for being comfortable.

Trihn tossed her plate into the sink with a sigh. Resting her hands on the counter, she leaned forward and tried to regain a sense of equilibrium.

“You made a quick departure,” Preston said, appearing in the kitchen a minute later.

“What do you want?” she asked with venom in her voice.

“Just came to check on you.”

“I’m fine. You can go now.”

“So, another new boyfriend?” Preston said, ignoring her comment.

“Yep. Damon is amazing. He really loves me.”

“I’m sure he does. What’s not to love?”