My smile slides away when he moves off the bed. I’m not ready to say goodbye to this Gray yet.
Angry, harsh Gray? He can fuck all the way off.
But this Gray, with the subtle dominance, the shy smiles and the care? I want to know more about him.
He shifts on his feet. “I was wondering… you want to go out, today? We could go for a drive. Should be safe enough, with your hair covered. Only if you want to.”
I hesitate. This feels like a safe space, my own space, even though we’re still in Emmett’s home. Like there’s a spell on it, and the moment will shatter the second I go outside with them.
“Okay,” I whisper, tucking my hair back. “Just a quick drive. I’ll need to get ready.”
Gray moves to the door, shaking his head. “Come as you are. You’re beautiful.”
Okay, he needs to stop now.
I’m still angry at him.
Furious.
But… I’m a little hopeful, too.
29
TRISTAN
Iwait outside Sienna’s door.
And I wait. Maybe she’s sleeping. She went for a drive with Gray earlier, and maybe it sapped some of her energy.
I’m not burning with envy over thatat all.
Fifteen minutes later, I’m still waiting. Cautiously, I knock. “Sienna?”
The door opens slowly, and I’m face to face with my Soul Bonded, alone, for the first time in days.
“You look better.” There’s relief in my words. She looks healthier, morevibrant, color flaring in her cheeks.
She hesitates. “Tristan…,”
I pick up on her discomfort. “You want me to leave.”
My chest deflates, the anticipation and hope that’s been sitting in my stomach all day draining away. Sienna shifts on her feet.
“It’s just… I’ve had aniceday, Tristan. The first nice day I’ve had in a long time. And I just – I want to hold onto it, for a little bit.”
Before I ruin it.
“I understand,” I say with a nod. I dip to meet her eyes, wanting her to understand. “It’s not a problem, Sienna. Maybe tomorrow.”
“Maybe.” She swallows, before she moves to shut the door. “Goodnight, Tristan.”
“Wait.” I just want to drink her in for a little while longer.
“I’m glad you had a good day,” I say quietly. “You deserve nothing but good days, Bonded.”
She swallows. “See, you say things like that,” she whispers, “and it makes what happened in the Trials feel like a bad dream. It makes me want to forget. But I can’t, Tristan. I have to have some respect for myself, because you’ve proved that I’m theonlyone in this Soul Bond who does.”
Her words twist in my chest.
