The casual way he said it, like spending time with me was something he genuinely enjoyed rather than just tolerated, made warmth spread through my chest.
Maybe lunch wouldn’t be as awkward as I’d feared. Maybe we could just be siblings grabbing food together, like normal people did. Maybe I was overthinking everything.
“There’s that new sandwich place down the street,”
amazing.”
suggested. “Leah says their turkey club is
“Sounds perfect,” he said, then reached up and gently brushed a strand of hair away from my face.
I froze, shocked by the intimate gesture. My eyes widened as I stared at him, wondering what he was doing, why he was touching me so tenderly when we I thought we’d keep things simple between us.
His eyes locked with mine for a moment that stretched too long, his fingers lingering near my cheek before he slowly pulled his hand back.
“The hair was bothering you,” he explained quietly.
I was surprised again, because Tristan hardly ever explained himself. He usually just did what he thought was right and expected people to understand his reasoning.
After lunch, we went back to our respective offices. The afternoon passed quickly, both of us buried in work and pretending that small moment on the sidewalk hadn’t happened.
When closing time arrived, Tristan appeared at my office door and insisted we ride home together like usual. But I was determined to maintain some independence, so I told him I’d take my car instead.
He looked disappointed but didn’t push the issue, which I appreciated.
Later that evening, we met up at Orion’s house. Tristan spent most of the time talking with Orion about something they were trying to make sure I and Sarah had no part on, while Sarah continued to be completely nice and welcoming to me. I was starting to really like her – she had this way of making everyone feel included and valued.
Liam was awake when we arrived, and I scooped him up into my arms the moment he reached for me. He was such a sweet baby, all chubby cheeks and curious.
As I was playing with him, I felt someone watching me intently. I looked up to find Tristan staring at
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Chapter 69
me with an expression I couldn’t quite read.
10%
When our eyes met, he didn’t look away or seem embarrassed about being caught. He just smiled that soft smile that made my heart do complicated things.
Why does he always do this, I can’t help but wonder
We stayed until nearly midnight, talking and laughing and feeling like a real family again. When we finally decided to leave, Orion and Tristan ganged up of me about driving home so late.
“It’s not safe,” Orion insisted. “You should ride with Tristan.”
“I drive late all the time, so why can’t I now?” I protested, but they wouldn’t hear any of it.
In the end, I gave in and climbed onto the back of Tristan’s motorcycle, leaving my car at Orion’s for
the night.
Before heading home, we made a detour to the hospital to check on Seraphine. She was recovering – well from her injuries, the doctors said, and would probably be released within the week.
–
But something about her behavior bothered me, though I couldn’t quite put my finger on what it was
at first.
Over the next few days, as Tristan and I settled into a routine of work, lunch, visiting Orion – who still hasn’t resumed, not that we mind – and then stopping by the hospital, I started to notice things about Seraphine that made me uncomfortable.
She was getting very close to Tristan. Too close, in my opinion.
Maybe they’d always been friends, I didn’t really know their history, and it wasn’t my place to ask. But her behavior seemed deliberately calculated to get his attention and keep it.
She’d call him at unreasonable hours with excuses about being scared and needing him to stay with her. Without fail, he’d drop whatever he was doing and rush to the hospital, usually dragging me along so I wouldn’t be left alone.
Our routine became predictable: garage, lunch, Orion’s house, then Seraphine’s hospital room before finally going home. Sometimes she’d call during the day with some new emergency or need, and Tristan would immediately abandon his work to go see her.
He always brought me with him, which I appreciated, but I couldn’t help noticing the look on
20:38 Sat, Jan 3
Chapter 69
Seraphine’s face every time I walked through the door behind him.
Her expression would shift from hopeful to disappointed in a split second, like I was ruining whatever plan she’d had in mind.
I didn’t know if Tristan was completely oblivious to her behavior or if he was enjoying the attention.
There was no way he couldn’t notice how she hung on his every word, how she found excuses to touch his hand or arm, how she always seemed to need something whenever he started to leave.
I didn’t trust her. Something about the whole situation felt off, manipulative in a way that set my
teeth on edge.
But then I’d remember what she’d been through – the abuse, the near–death experience, the fear and trauma that came with surviving something like that. I’d remember my own struggles with Daxon, my own moments of desperation and need for comfort.
How could I judge another woman for seeking safety and protection after what she’d endured? How could I let my own feelings about Tristan cloud my compassion for someone who was genuinely suffering?
I tried to push down my doubts and suspicious thoughts. This wasn’t about jealousy over a man. This was about supporting another survivor, even if her methods of coping made me uncomfortable.
Today, I found myself alone in Seraphine’s hospital room while Tristan went to get something she claimed she desperately needed from the gift shop. I’d wanted to go with him, but he’d asked me to stay
behind.
“She specifically said she wants to talk with you,” he’d explained. “She’s hoping you two can get to
know each other better.”
I’d hated the idea but agreed for his sake, not wanting to seem petty or unreasonable.
But we’d been sitting in awkward silence for ten minutes now, and she hadn’t said a single word to me.
If she’d really wanted us to get along, wouldn’t she at least try to start a conversation?
“I see the way you look at him,” she said suddenly.
I raised my eyebrows slowly, trying to figure out where this conversation was heading.
“Excuse you?” I asked a frown appearing on my face.
20:38 Sat, Jan 3
The Biker Alpha Who Became My Second Chance Mate
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
