Chapter 374
Athena
270
We stayed there a while longer, talking about our future, about the baby, about all the little details that would make this house a
home.
We discussed which room would be Tristan’s office, where he could work when he needed to handle pack business.
We talked about eventually getting a dog, maybe a golden retriever for the babies to grow up with
We imagined summer barbecues in the backyard and cozy winter nights by the fireplace in the living room
We’ve said it multiple times, but we didn’t mind discussing it again, like it’s the first.
Eventually, we had to get dressed and head back to Orion’s for dinner, but I felt lighter than I had in days, filled with anticipation for
everything that was coming.
That evening, the whole family gathered for dinner.
Orion had grilled steaks on the back patio, and Sarah had made her famous potato salad with the bacon and chives, grilled vegetables
with balsamic glaze, and a fresh green salad.
The smell alone was enough to make my mouth water, my pregnancy appetite had been massive lately.
Lily helped set the table, carefully placing napkins and utensils at each seat. She was taking her helper role very seriously, her little tongue sticking out in concentration as she made sure everything was perfect.
Liam also tried to assist too, just like his sister.
“So,‘ Sarah said casually as we sat down to eat, passing the potato salad to Orion. Anyone heard from Derek or Kiara today?”
I had to bite my lip to keep from grinning. Tristan shot me a warning look, his foot finding mine under the table and pressing gently.
“No,” Orion said, cutting into his perfectly grilled steak. ‘Why? Were we supposed to?”
‘Oh, no reason,” Sarah said innocently, taking a delicate bite of her vegetables. ‘Just wondering how their meeting went.”
“What meeting?” Orion asked, looking between us with confusion.
“They were supposed to coordinate their toasts this morning,‘ I explained, trying to keep my voice neutral and failing miserably. “At that coffee shop on Fifth. You know, the one with the really good lattes?”
18:23 Sat, Jan 31 M…
Chapter 374
“Ah,” Orion said, his expression clearing. “Did they kill each other?”
‘Not that we’ve heard,” Tristan said, and I could hear the amusement in his voice even though he was trying to hide it.
The truth was, neither Derek nor Kiara had contacted any of us since the kiss.
I’d checked my phone approximately seventeen times in the last few hours, hoping for a text or a call, some kind of explanation or freak–out message, but nothing.
Radio silence from both of them. They were either working through whatever had happened between them, or they were both in complete denial and pretending it never occurred.
My money was on the latter. Derek would probably try to analyze it logically, maybe make a pro–con list about kissing Kiara.
Kiara would probably insist it meant nothing, just a momentary lapse in judgment brought on by wedding stress and caffeine.
“I’m sure we’ll hear all about it at the wedding,” Sarah said, sharing a knowing look with me across the table. “These things have a way of coming out.”
63
After dinner, Tristan and I helped clean up, well, I helped until Tristan insisted I sit down because I’d been on my feet all day at the
house.
Then I supervised while he, Orion, and Sarah handled the dishes. Lily entertained me by showing me the dance she’d choreographed for the reception, which involved a lot of spinning and some moves I was pretty sure she’d learned from watching music videos.
Once everything was cleaned up and Liam and Lily had been bathed and put to bed (after insisting on showing me her flower girl dress one more time).
Tristan and I finally retreated to our room, the guest room that had become ours over the past few months.
It was comfortable and cozy, but I was eager to move into our new house, to have our own space where we could be fully ourselves.
I was getting ready for bed, brushing my teeth in the ensuite bathroom while Tristan changed into his sleep pants, when he came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist, careful to avoid my belly.
“Hi,” he said, kissing my shoulder through my thin nightshirt.
“Hi,” I said around my toothbrush, meeting his eyes in the mirror.
He watched me in the mirror, his expression soft and full of love, that look that never failed to make my heart skip. “Have I told you today how much I love you?”
“Only about twelve times,” I said after rinsing my mouth and drying my face. “But I’ll never get tired of hearing it.”
Chapter 374
Dvd oil terning me and to love him is a path wa my Ng Because I planting date the estat
TAX & AN of days I said, wrap my arm and his neck and playing with the halt at his map
wwwww www At sing me sold, snowth, like we had all the time in the worl
heaved into the Avtohimbing into Not get fistan pulled me against him, my Ack to his chest, Als and resting on my Ah Mãe Rabars dist now I vest falling adhey like this, feeling safe and protected and red
We sat alter a moment, his woke quit in the darkness Broken only by the soft glow of the nightlight wed darted keeping
The Nen thinking about something Something that’s we can call a con
I turned slightly to look at him, sukkenty more alert. His tone was serious, contemplative What is
He was quiet for a moment, like he was gathering his thoughts or trying to find the right work
I couldn’t help the thoughts that was already running and circulating in my brai
Did he cheat on me?
No. I trust him with my life
I trust he wouldn’t do anything to hurt me
Months ago, I was feeling so down. Then I thought of you… the paused and looked at me.
I was staring right back at him, waiting patiently to really understand where he was going
“That was the first time I allowed myself think about you. And I just… I had this overwhelming urge to reach out to you. To tell you something that I felt you needed to hear. It was so strong. I didn’t know why but I picked up my phone and went you some mag
My heart started beating faster What do you mean?
I sent you a text message, he repeated, like that was the answer to my question. But it only made me more conttured
Just a simple message telling you that you were stronger than you thought you were.”
I hose.
18:23 Sat, Jan 31 M…
Chapter 374
Everything stopped, my breathing, my heartbeat, the world itself seemed to pause and tilt on its axis.
Comments
13
Write Comments
SHARE
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.
