Page 234 of Only Be Mine

Or recalculation.

He nodded once. “Good.”

He disappeared back into the office but didn’t start typing again.

He was waiting, listening.

Ten minutes later, a car door slammed outside.

Not loud.

Not dramatic.

But close.

Too close.

Trevor froze mid-step in the hallway.

I saw it.

The shift.

The predator stillness.

He moved toward the front window without looking obvious about it. Like he was just passing by. Just checking.

His body went rigid. “Stay here,” he said calmly.

He walked to the door, unlocked it, and opened it halfway.

And there, standing on the porch, was Seth.

Not angry.

Not shouting.

Just… there.

Trevor’s smile came easily. “Seth,” he said warmly. “What can I do for you?”

Seth’s eyes flicked past him into the house. “I came to check on Cate.”

Trevor stepped slightly into the doorway. “She’s fine,” he said smoothly. “You don’t have to keep rescuing her.”

Seth didn’t look at him; he looked at me. “Cate,” he said evenly. “Can you come outside for a second?”

Trevor didn’t move. “That’s not necessary,” he replied lightly.

“I wasn’t asking you,” Seth said.

The temperature in the air dropped.

Trevor’s hand tightened against the edge of the door. “Cate doesn’t need this kind of stress,” he said quietly. “You’re escalating something that doesn’t exist.”

Seth’s voice stayed level. “Then let her say that.”

Trevor glanced back at me.