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“I get that,” Tristan said, surprising me.
I jerked my head back. “Really? I thought you loved the AV.”
“I did, but that was…before.”
I nodded slowly, understanding dawning.Right.Before Tessa had died.
The moment the plane had touched down in the AV, I’d been flooded with memories of my sister. I could only imagine what it was like for Tristan. They’d been together my entire life. Everywhere he went, he was probably reminded of her and the life they’d shared.
“Why don’t you move?” I asked.
He laughed, though the sound was mirthless. “Maybe someday.”
I arched an eyebrow, wondering if he’d say more.
He dragged a hand through his hair, and I followed the movement. The dark strands seemed so silky. I envisioned what he’d look like after a trim and a good face mask and… “But I think it would be hard on the kids.”
I lifted a shoulder. “You never know. It might be good for them. Moving to Australia was definitely good for me.”
“I can tell.” He seemed to appraise me, and I wondered if I’d imagined the way his eyes lingered on the bare skin of my stomach. “And now, Japan. Tessa would be really proud of you.”
“Thanks.” I forced a smile, my cheeks warming from his compliment. “It’s nice to talk about her.” Painful too.
He nodded, his smile sad but knowing. “It is.”
“Anyway,” I sighed. “I really appreciate you letting me stay here.”
“If anything, you’re doing me a favor.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “I was just trying to get your mom off my back.”
“Oh yeah?” I tilted my head, curiosity overriding my better sense. “Since when does Madame Mayor criticize you?”
He let out a sigh. “You’re not the only one she critiques. You know that, right?”
I scoffed.
“You’re not,” he said again. “Though she’s been more vocal about her opinion since Tessa died.”
“Aren’t you lucky to have such a compassionate mother-in-law.”
He lifted a shoulder. “I knew what I was getting into when I married your sister. I’d like to think that Gloria’s trying to help, even if her efforts can be a bit heavy-handed at times.”
“A bit?” I choked on a laugh. Yeah. He definitely hadn’t had the same experience with my mother that I had. But that was probably because he toed the line.
I’d lost count of how many times I’d heard how lucky Tessa was to have a husband like Tristan. What a good provider. An attentive partner and a doting father. If I didn’t actually like the man so much, I probably would’ve hated him.
His expression soured. “She thinks I need help with the kids.”
My heart softened. “Do you?”
He hesitated a long moment then nodded. “Honestly, yes. I can’t keep up with everything, no matter how hard I try. I’m either letting them down or dropping the ball at work, and it’s exhausting.” He shook his head. “I don’t even know why I’m telling you all this.” He blew out a breath, flattening his palms on the counter. “Maybe because I want to make sure you understand what you’re getting into by living here.”
“What?” I grinned. “You mean it’s not sunshine and rainbows all the time?”
He barked out a laugh, and it was good to see him smile, genuinely so. “Definitely not.”
I hoped my expression came across as sympathetic and not pitying. “I’m sure you’re doing better than you think.”
“Even so, I know how much you love the kids, and they you. And since you have experience nannying, it seemed like an elegant solution.”
