AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Matt interrupts Thea by kissing her on the cheek and saying, “Rest, okay? We’ll see you soon.”
I wave. “It was nice to see you again, Thea.”
Before Matt can ask a question, I drag him out. The night is over, and maybe I’ll agree to be a silent partner. The energy inside the apartment with the three of us together scared the fuck out of me. I don’t want to feel that again.
ChapterTwenty-Nine
Matthew
Tristan is already awake,sitting at the kitchen table, drinking coffee, and reading the news on his tablet.
“You’ve been too quiet since yesterday.” I slide down the chair after pouring my coffee. “If you don’t want to buy it, that’s understandable.”
Tristan meets my gaze as he tilts his head. His wet strands of hair move to the left. He looks so fucking hot I want to kiss him, but I stop myself.
“Okay, I can take a hint. I’ll go solo. How about you train me?”
“How do you make your business decisions, Matt?” He chuckles. “I can only guess they are out of impulse. That’s not me. I like to do my homework before I invest my money. I don’t jump into something without knowing the risks. It’s a terrible approach.”
“Meaning?”
“I might want to buy the bar, but I have to study the place. Maybe we can be partners.” He places his tablet on the table, takes a sip of his coffee, then gives me his full attention. “I’m making a business plan, assessing the risks, and… I’ll let you know when I finish. There are other factors to consider. My businesses and Thrice come to mind. I’m not even sure if I can help Reed while he decides to sell—and he needs help.”
I nod. “That he does.”
“The place is going to fall apart before we can make a decision. How about you, can you help him?”
“I plan on working at Silver Moon every other week and every weekend. I can visit with Thea, who’s teaching me things you didn’t while bartending at your places.”
He nods, finishes his coffee, and lifts his tablet from the table.
“What’s her story? Thea’s? I noticed you were very interested in her.” His eyes are glued to the tablet, so I don’t know what the question means.
Is he jealous?
Maybe interested in my butterfly?
I noticed the glances they gave to each other at the bar and while we visited Thea in her apartment.
“I don’t know her,” he continues. “But how about this time you follow my rule and don’t mix pleasure with business?”
“Is this because you want her to be part of Silver Moon after we buy it?” I push down his tablet and hold his chin between my fingers. “Or because I noticed you were very interested in her?” I copy his words and toss him a knowing smirk.
“I don’t know her well, but my gut tells me that she needs more than a horny man to jerk her around,” he says, moving his chin away from my hold. “If you decide to make a move, be the guy I know you can be.”
“I like her,” I state, because I do.
This is awkward, but if I want to keep him as a friend, I should be transparent. “I wouldn’t initiate anything with her unless I was serious, and we know I’m not the serious kind. She’s strong but fragile. I couldn’t take care of her the way she deserves.”
“You could,” Tristan utters, rising from his seat. “You’re caring, sweet, and protective.”
He brushes my lips with his.Fuck, I’ve missed his lips.
“I’m taking a shower and heading to Thrice. Call when you’re in California. We can discuss the bar and catch up with whatever Reed decides.”
“I’ll call you because I miss you too,” I say loud enough so he can hear me.
Tristan doesn’t come back or acknowledge me. Which is for the best. That peck made me want to offer him a quickie, but I know what happens to Tristan when he’s having sex—with men.
