“You don’t need to apologize. You didn’t do anything wrong.” He gives my hand a quick squeeze. “What’s his problem anyway?”
“Honestly, I have no idea. There’s always been friction between us for as long as I can remember. Part of me wonders if he’s mad because he’s not Dad’s namesake. Or if he never wanted a little sister. It’s just weird because he’s not like this with the other siblings.”
Tristan is quiet for a moment, letting what I’ve said sink in. It’s one of the things I’m coming to admire about him. He doesn’t fly off the handle like me. He takes time to consider what hewants to say.
“Do you think it’s because you don’t fall in line with the rest of your siblings? From the outside looking in, it seems like he’s trying to be a parent instead of a brother. That isn’t fair to you, or him.”
I never thought of it like that. Looking back, he has always put himself in that role. I don’t understand why. Our parents have always been around and did their job. They still do.
“It’s probably because Dad is preparing him to take over the company. He’s been getting him ready for it for as long as I can remember. He knows it’s part of our family legacy, and I think me not wanting to do it is a thorn in his side.”
“That could be it. But there’s no reason for him to be a jackass about the situation. Each person is allowed to do what they want. Working for the winery isn’t something you want to do right now, and he shouldn’t pressure you into it.”
He’s not wrong, but he also hasn’t had something like this held over his head his entire life. Despite all the stuff with the winery, we’re a closeknit family. Even though I don’t really talk to Pierce on a personal level, he knows what’s going on in my life. All of our siblings talk, and we hang out. He’s never pushed as hard as he is now, though. That’s the problem.
“I’ll figure out a way to talk to him about while we’re here. I can’t make any promises, but I’ll try.”
He pulls us to stop and moves in front of me. Lifting his free hand to my face, he tilts my head until my eyes meet his.
“Wrong answer. Remember that deal we made for me to come with you? You have to stand up for yourself. I’ll be right beside you if you need me to be, but you can do it.”
Shit. I forgot about that little stipulation. We still have three more days of this trip. That’s plenty of time to take my stand. Maybe.
“Okay.”
“That’s it? Okay? You’re not going to fight me on this?” He seems confused.
“It’s been a long afternoon. I’m afraid I don’t have any fight left at the moment.” I’m not lying. Even though the spat with Pierce was brief, it took a lot out of me. Maybe it’s because it happened in front of Tristan. I don’t know. But I don’t have it in me to put up another argument right now.
“I guess it’s a good thing you have me here to help you do just that when the time comes.”
“That means more than you realize.” Everything he’s done in the twenty-four hours we’ve been here has been to make sure I’m okay and comfortable. He really doesn’t know how much it means that someone is putting me first.
“Oh, I think I do.” He leans closer.
Is he about to kiss me? I’ve been looking forward to this part of our performance since our practice kiss in the parking lot.
Except right now we don’t have an audience. This is something hewantsto do. I move to meet him, and my stomach decides it’s a perfect time to growl.
Tristan chuckles and pulls away. “We should probably hurry so we can get you fed.”
Damn you stomach. For a split second he looked at me like more than a friend, and maybe that’s something I want. Ugh, stupid feelings. This is why I’ve never done relationships. These emotions are confusing.
CHAPTER TWELVE
tristan
The driveto the restaurant is quiet. Paula is staring out the window as I follow the map on the screen. We’ve left the beach front and are going further into town.
I think I may have overstepped in my thoughts on her brother. Or maybe it was me leaning into to kiss her. I probably shouldn’t have done that. But…she leaned in, too. She obviously feels some sort of way about me. I hope by the end of the trip, I’ll know where we stand. If she wants to stay friends, I’m cool with it. Paula is fun to hang out with, and she doesn’t filter her words or thoughts.
We’re getting closer to our destination, but I don’t see anything signaling we’re going to a restaurant.
“Are we in the right place?” The question feels loud in the silence. Like I’ve interrupted the serenity of the space.
“Huh?” She turns toward me, and I’m taken aback by her beauty in the dim dashboard lights. Relaxed is theonly way I can describe her right now. After her argument with Pierce and the walk on the beach, she seems like she’s at peace. At least, for now.
“Is the area we’re supposed to be in? It looks like it’s just a bunch of houses.”
