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“I want to think that I inherited my talent from Gabe,” I smirk. “Those Oscars, Golden Globes, and awards in his office are a pretty good testimony of his kick-ass acting skills.”
“Where is the other one of the set?” He narrows his gaze as he looks around.
Great, the grilling will start now. He’s going to tell me that maybe I should rethink my future, that choosing sometimes is better than trying to work overtime for something that isn’t worth it. Tristan isn’t something. He’s the man I love. I plan on waiting for him, like Gabe did with Chris. “With his family in Connecticut? And no, I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Chris isn’t good at hiding his feelings—hehatesmy Tofurkey.” Thea comes out to the patio. “The table is all set, and we’re ready to say thanks and eat. You okay, Mattie?”
“Yeah.” I extend my hand, and when she takes it, I pull her to my body and trap her inside my arms. “I just needed some quiet time. My family can be noisy while celebrating. We’ll have to schedule breaks during the Christmas week.”
Thea nods, burying her head in the crook of my neck. My pulse slows down with her breathing. Having her this close is just what I need to recharge. “Sorry about what happened with Tristan. I shouldn’t have fought with him. I put you in the middle of a situation where you almost had to choose. I’d never make you choose between the two of us. I’ll leave before I do something that stupid—again.” She lays her hand against her chest. “Everything I said to him was stupid. I mean, I have no right to make demands or tell him what to do. He has a family.”
Choosing? I don’t like that word. That’s close to making sacrifices. Do I sacrifice one because the other deserves more? I couldn’t. This has to work out, one way or another.
“You have the right to ask for as much as you give, Butterfly.” I kiss her slowly and thoroughly, trying to take away the sadness she carries because of him. “Forget about him for the weekend. Sunday night we’ll reassess everything.”
If he comes home by then. I need to talk to him. Make sure he’s still on and doesn’t want me to “choose.” I doubt that’s the case. He wanted a break from me too.
“I love you, Thea Dennis.” I kiss her nose. “You’remy everything,Butterfly, so don’t leave me. That’ll be stupid. Some days I believe you’re the glue of this relationship.”
“Listen to him. We’d be lost without you, Butterfly.” I lift my gaze to find Tristan. He’s only steps away from us. He looks like shit. “I’m so fucking sorry. For leaving, for yelling, mostly for being an asshole. I was planning to be here earlier but…”
“Bad weather?” Thea asks.
“Fucking terrible.”
“Thought you were in Connecticut,” I say, as Thea chews on her cheek while watching him.
“It was never my intention to spend this holiday with them, but then you started pushing just like them,” he lets out another shaky breath. “To end the fucked-up week, they began cancelling flights.”
“Did you rent a reindeer to come home?” I try to joke.
He shakes his head. “Your brother-in-law found me a plane and a pilot.”
“Mason?” He nods at my question.
“I’m sorry, Thea,” he apologizes as he walks toward us and joins the hug. “I love you. More days than others, you’re my rock. Some mornings I don’t know where I’d be without you… and maybe Matt.”
“Hey, asshole.” I push him lightly.
“I love you too, Matt.” He kisses my cheek. “You two are my world. This won’t happen again. There won’t be any scheduled trips before the holidays.”
His eyes hold my steady gaze. Whatever happened during his trip flipped a switch. Fuck, yes. We’re going to be all right. This is forever. My body relaxes, shedding all the anxiety I had gathered.
“Good, the entire family is here.” Ainsley’s face peeks through the glass door. “Time for dinner. Papa is anxious to try the Tofurkey—not.”
“It was your idea. If no one wants it, you’re going to have to eat it,” Thea jokes as she heads to where Ainsley stands. “Plus, it’s yummy. Your brother loved it.”
Ainsley bites back the laugh, hugs Thea, and then pats Tristan’s shoulder. “Glad you made it. One more jerk-like action and you’re going on my shit list.”
Coop kisses her cheek. “Thank you for helping me.”
“You knew?” I lift her and twirl her around. “You’re the best sister ever.”
“I still have my doubts about him, Mattie, so be careful.”
ChapterTwenty-Six
Thea
