Chapter 68
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Claire’s voice in my head was a mixture of disappointment and anger. She was right, of course. I did want to go to lunch with him. I’d been wanting to go places with Tristan for most of my life.
But that was exactly the problem.
Tristan turned like he was going to leave, accepting my rejection with the same quiet grace he brought to everything else. But then he paused at the threshold and turned back around.
“Athena,” he said, and my name sounded different in his mouth than it had that morning. More serious, more weighted with meaning.
My pulse quickened. Was he going to bring up the kiss? Was this the conversation I’d been dreading all
day?
“Yes?” I raised my face from the papers I’d been pretending to study and met his eyes directly.
“Why…” I could see him wrestling with himself, debating whether to ask whatever question was on his mind. For a moment, I thought he’d decided against it and was going to leave after all.
Instead, he walked fully into my office and settled into the chair across from my desk – the one meant for clients and important visitors. He placed his hands on both armrests and leaned forward slightly.
“Are you avoiding me?” he asked quietly.
The question left me completely speechless. My mouth opened and closed a few times before I managed to form actual words.
“I don’t understand,” I said weakly, which was partially true and mostly a stalling tactic.
“Why did you leave this morning without telling me? You’re always ready to ride to work together, but today you were gone when I came out.”
His voice was gentle but direct, cutting right through any pretense I might have tried to maintain.
I scrambled for an answer that wasn’t a complete lie. “I didn’t leave because I was trying to avoid you. I left because I’m tired of feeling like I can’t do anything on my own.”
It wasn’t entirely false. Part of me did want more independence, more proof that I could function as my own person instead of always needing protection and guidance.
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20:38 Sat, Jan 30
Chapter 68
I saw his expression soften immediately, understanding replacing suspicion.
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“I get that, he said, nodding slowly. “We just want to be there for you. Don’t push us away when we’re only trying to help.”
The sincerity in his voice made guilt settle in my stomach like a stone. He was being completely genuine, worried about my wellbeing and our friendship, while was sitting here lying about my motivations.
“Alright,” I said, making a decision. “How about we go to Orion’s place after work? I haven’t seen enough of
Lily and Liam lately.”
“Or,” he said, standing up with a small smile, “how about we go grab lunch right now? I’m hungry, and I really don’t like eating alone.”
He didn’t need to say anything else. The simple honesty of his request, combined with the way he was looking at me – hopeful but not pushy, friendly but not demanding – broke down my remaining resistance.
I stood up, walked around my desk, and took his hand, tugging him toward the door. “Come on then, before I change my mind.”
His fingers were warm and slightly rough. When he squeezed gently, I felt that familiar electric current that always seemed to run between us.
The one only I notice.
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Finally, Claire said with deep satisfaction.
“Where do you want to go?” I asked as we stepped outside into the afternoon sunshine.
“Doesn’t matter,” Tristan said, pulling on his sunglasses. “I just wanted to spend some time with you.”
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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.
