Page 266 of Midnights
I still don’t believe him.
Tyler never had to worm his way into my heart, he just strolled right in like he belonged there. And now I can’t imagine life without him in it.
He straightens, closing his hand around mine. “You know I’m here for you, right?”
I meet his eyes, and the sincerity in them makes my breath catch.
“Always.” The single word carries a weight I didn’t realize I needed. A promise he makes without hesitation, and just like that I'm unsteady.
I open my mouth to respond, but the intensity of his gaze keeps my words lodged in my throat. All I can do is nod and offer him a small smile. And by the way his expression softens slightly, he understands.
A comfortable silence stretches between us, while we finish eating. And the whole time, I'm drowning in my own thoughts.
I thought those tequila shots were strong, but the Fae wine is next level. That stuff will fuck you up if you have too much. I found that out the hard way the first time Tyler handed me a glass—grinning like the menace he is. Everyone else got a kick out of it.
Cam didn't. He forbade Tyler from ever giving me more than one glass again.
I will say, though, the taste is way better than that shit they call liquor in Scotland. It tastes like grape juice. If grape juice could light your whole body on fire.
“You know what’s wild?”
He refills both our glasses with wine as I watch the deep violet liquid swirl higher than it should.Bold of him considering Cam's little rule.
“What?” I ask, wary of the sudden shift.
He leans back in his chair, tilting it onto two legs. “As good as you are at stabbing things, you’re the worst at sneaking around.”
I snort. “We get caught, because you talk too much.”
He gasps, like I wounded him. “I donottalk too much! I talk just the right amount. You just have commitment issues.”
I roll my eyes. “Oh my God. What does that have to do with anything?”
“No, hear me out.” He insists, grinning now. “You’re one of those people who thinks they can just go through life solo, you’re all…I don’t need anyone, I’m totally fine on my own,but really, if you just learned how to trust people…”
I pause, eyeing my wine. “Tyler, I don’t know if trusting people will make me better at sneaking around.”
“My point is, you have all of us, even though you don’t want to let us in. But I think you like us.” He takes a big drink, then sets his glass down, wiping his mouth.
I open my mouth to argue, but…
Shit.
He’s right. I’ve gotten close to all of them since being here. Even Lynn has taught me some things in the kitchen during our morning breakfast routine. Yet, I still find it hard to trust them. It’s hard to let them in when I know they’re all keeping secrets from me. But all that aside, I really do like them all. A lot.
Tyler grins, clearly reading my expression. “See? Told you.”
I sigh, leaning my elbow on the table. “Fine. Maybe I do likesomeof you.”
Tyler claps his hands together. “A win’s a win.”
The weight in my chest eases and the heaviness of the last few days shifts into something lighter. I don’t know how he does it, but he has a knack for making things feel a little less impossible and I love him for it.
“You’re a pain in the ass, you know that?”
He leans back in his chair again with a smug grin. “A pain in the ass you can’t live without.”
I roll my eyes, wanting to push his chair over. “I take it back. Ihateyou.”
