Coming so close to losing her had shaken him.He was falling for her, big time, and nothing he did could change that.If she’d been killed, his world would never have been the same again.
“How do you know she’s not?”
“Because I can tell,” he said around the mouthful of sandwich.How could she be fine after what happened?“She was completely alone, facing down three shooters until Ryder and I got there, and Penny was killed.”
Gavin took a bite of his own sandwich, watching him.He chewed.Swallowed.“How’d the meeting at HQ go?”
“It went okay.They cleared her of any responsibility, but they’re making her take a few days off.”
“Makes sense.That’s standard.”
“She wasn’t happy about it.And she’s not entirely in the clear yet, because Penny’s family could still sue.”
“They’ll have to go through CPS first, and that won’t be easy.”
“Let’s hope so.”Cassie had been through more than enough and had risked her life to protect Penny.He shook his head, frustration eating at his insides like acid.“God, I fuckinghatethat I can’t protect her from any of this.”
Gavin paused with his sandwich partway to his mouth, staring at him.
“What?”
“Holy shit,” Gav said in amazement.
“What?”he insisted.
“You’re really in deep with her, huh?”His twin grinned, looking way too smug.
Tristan stared back, the last bite of his sandwich dangling from his fingers.
“Come on.You gonna just pretend you’re not?Never seen you this twisted up over a woman before.”He cocked his head, nodded in approval.“I’m here for it.Love this for you, bro.”
There was no point in trying to deny it, but hehadbeen trying to hide it.He’d never felt this kind of intensity for someone before.He thought about her constantly.He fuckingdreamedabout her.Though he shouldn’t have been surprised that Gavin had figured out what was going on.Nobody could read him like his twin.
“Don’t worry, I don’t think anyone else has noticed yet,” Gavin continued.“At least, no one’s said anything about you guys as far as I know.”
“Don’t mention it to Marley and Deck.”
Gavin snorted and gave him an insulted look.“Gimme some credit.Not that I’d tell Deck anyhow.And Marley would just be excited.”
Tristan grunted.There was nothing for their sister to be excited about on that front because Cassie kept throwing up walls.
He finished off his last bite, debating whether to make another sandwich.He was so keyed up he couldn’t decide if he was still hungry or just wanted to eat his feelings.
“So what are you gonna do about it?”Gavin asked, wiping his hands on a paper towel.
He pushed out a frustrated breath.“Nothing.”For now.
Gavin blinked at him.“What?”
Tristan eyed the remaining bacon sitting on the baking sheet.He’d meant to save it all for tomorrow, but...fuck it.He snatched a piece and shoved half of it into his mouth.“It’s complicated.”
“Cuz you work together.”Gavin snagged one for himself, earning a glare.
“Yeah.”He pushed the sheet out of his brother’s reach.“And she’s made her boundaries clear.”But there was more to it than being colleagues.He could feel it.
“Gotta respect the boundaries,” Gavin agreed, taking a sip of beer.It was damned good beer.A locally brewed IPA here in Crimson Point with a hint of citrus.“But there’s no way you’re sitting back just because of that.”
He contemplated how much he wanted to disclose.He and Gavin loved to give each other shit, but he didn’t much feel like being on the receiving end of it right now.
