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He rubs the back of his neck. “I’m holding everything until I can be home.”
“Where’s home, Coop?”
He shrugs.
“We’ll find it together,” I say, pulling him to me. My mouth finds his, and I kiss him hard and deep. I kiss him like a man starved. A man taking his last meal before death row. I drown myself in Tristan’s taste. Finally, I can savor him.
I’m trying to make up for the time we lost, the nights we missed, and the wounds we carry after this battle.
Tristan moans into my mouth. I tangle my fingers in his hair, pulling him closer to me, afraid of losing him again.
This might not work, but I’m going to make sure to fight for his heart and win it. In the meantime, I’ll make a bigger effort with Thea. We’re not losing what we found. We’re not changing it, just redefining it, so we never lose it again.
ChapterFifty-Two
Thea
Pria: Are you with a patient?
I dial her number right away. “How’s the premiere?” I ask when she answers the phone.
“It was interesting. This is my fifth one and I’m still not used to it.”
The comment reminds me she didn’t grow up in the spotlight. “Well, it’s not something that happens often, by the way, are you ready for the tour?”
She sighs. “Maybe. I don’t know. We’ll see how that goes, right?”
“Yep.”
“You sound… Are you okay? Things with Matt still not working well?”
Things between us have been weird since we broke up. Maybe I shouldn’t have done it, but we need time to heal and grow. “Nope. Do you know anything about Tristan? You know, since your husband is his business partner.”
“He’s been in Greenwich since the mishap. His father’s company is a mess. Jacob has been helping him with a few investments. I’m working on their brand.”
After she gives me that quick update, we move on to her schedule for the next few weeks. Her sister, Maeve, might travel to catch up with them in the near future. The plans they have after the tour. And then I end the call with a sour note.
“My mother called Dad. She wants to see me.”
“Arthur being your father hasn’t sunk in yet. You’re all sweet and smiles. He’s frowny and freaking scary.” Pria laughs.
I look at the picture I have on top of my desk. Our first family picture: Mason, Dad, and me. Ainsley took it because we need memories.
“So, what does your mother want?”
“She checked herself into rehab, so I guess to talk.” I let all the air out of my lungs, along with my frustration. “This isn’t the first time, and I don’t want to go through the same shit repeatedly. How many times can I let myself hope before I really break down?”
“As many as she needs. You said it before. She’s sick, right? I’m here to catch you. Try one more time,” Pria says.
“True, I needed a reminder.” A light knock on my door reminds me that my break is over, and my four o’clock is here. “Gotta go, Pria. Talk to you tomorrow?”
“Yeah, and don’t forget second chances are good for the soul.”
“Jessica, how are you?” I hold on to Dad’s hand tightly.
He’s the one who brought Mom a couple of months ago. It’s the first time she reached out to him after he confronted her and Martin. Now she’s allowed visitors, and she contacted Dad because she wanted to see me first. I’m reserved about this meeting. Not knowing what to expect is killing me.
She already looks different. It’s the first time I recall seeing her without makeup, and her brown hair is back. That platinum blonde she wore for years, washed away along with the lost eyes.
