Page 54 of Mountain Summons

Tristan tensed slightly beside her.

Lena wasn’t sure if it was protectiveness or his complicated relationship with his father surfacing, but just then Tristan’s mother arrived, sparing her from having to reply. She introduced Lena and Tristan to the two couples sharing their table. “Lena, meet Regina and Michel, and Noel and Eloise, four of our oldest friends.”

“They’re also big watch collectors,” Tristan whispered so only she could hear.

Tristan’s mother skillfully maneuvered Lena, so she was sitting between Amaury and Tristan.As a buffer?

The appetizer arrived almost immediately. Despite her nerves, Lena couldn’t help but enjoy the delicious tuna tartar, seasoned with soy and sesame oil. She’d only just swallowed afew bites when the man across from her—Michel, she thought—threw out a question.

“So, Tristan. When are you going to quit that dangerous hobby of yours and join your father at hisatelier?” He smiled a knowing smile. “Haven’t you kept him waiting long enough?”

Lena stiffened, her fork pausing halfway to her plate.

As if in slow motion, she watched as five people turned toward Tristan with expectant smiles. Only Amaury stood still—as a statue.

Tristan’s grip on his wine glass tightened just enough to make the stem creak, though his face remained carefully composed.

Lena put her fork down and swallowed hard. She wasn’t an idiot. She knew what she should do, of course. She should stay silent. This was Tristan’s family. Tristan’s world. A world she knew nothing about. She shouldn’t engage. She couldn’t engage. But she couldn’t stay silent.

“Tristan’s a lieutenant with the world’s most highly respected mountain rescue organization. I’m fairly certain the thousands of people they rescue every year wouldn’t call their job ahobby.”

Michel gave a loud, booming laugh, as though Lena had just delivered a clever punchline. “Yes, yes, of course. Flying into avalanches and pulling people off cliffs is very noble. But come now, it’s hardly sustainable long-term. You’re a Devallé—you should be continuing your father’s legacy, not?—“

Lena didn’t even feel bad about interrupting. “If Tristan hadn’t done his job, I wouldn’t be here speaking with you today. I would have died in those mountains.” Beside her, she felt Tristan stiffen.

“Ah.” There was a knowing glint in Eloise’s eye as she jumped into the conversation. “Tristan rescued you. Is that how you met? How very romantic.”

Lena ground her teeth. “He did. But that’s not my point. My point is that a job with the PGHM is an admirablecareer.”

Lena’s stomach tightened. Her gaze flicked toward Amaury as he sipped his wine, his expression unreadable.

Tristan’s mother made a soothing sound. “Of course it is, dear,” she said, then proceeded to engage Eloise and Regina in a conversation about their most recent vacation.

Lena felt Tristan staring at her, his expression deadly serious. She turned towards him. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, bringing her napkin up to her mouth to cover her words. “I didn’t mean to embarrass you in front of?—“

Tristan laughed and lowered his voice to her ear. “Fuck, but you’re sexy when your claws come out.”

Lena’s head snapped toward him. She felt a blush creep up her cheeks.

“Areyouokay?” he asked, still in that low, sexy voice.

“Shouldn’tIbe the one asking that question?”

“I’m okay. More than okay, now that you’re here.” He lowered his voice even further.

Lena picked at the next three courses, hardly able to figure out what each was. Finally, it was over. As soon as dessert was finished and coffees had been drunk, Tristan stood up. “Thank you for dinner. Please excuse us. We will see you tomorrow.”

“At breakfast?” Tristan’s mother asked quickly.

Tristan nodded. “At breakfast. I promise,Maman.”

Amaury stood up as Lena did, but instead of sitting back down, followed them towards the door.

“Tristan … you do know passion and purpose aren’t always the same thing,” Amaury said, his voice smooth.

Tristan’s jaw tightened.

“And who gets to decide that?” Tristan asked, his voice quiet but sharp. “You?” His voice softened. “I’m sorry we disagree on this topic,Père, but I’m not planning on quitting my job.”

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